Skunk Removal & Prevention: Den Exclusion, Food Control & Humane Trapping

Skunks spray 15 ft, cause nausea/blindness, carry rabies. Females den in groups up to 12. They reuse dens yearly. Prevention is far easier than eviction.

Food Source Elimination

• Secure trash cans (bungee cords, locking lids)
• No overnight pet food
• Clean birdseed spillover
• Grub control in lawn (eco-friendly nematodes or milky spore)

Den Exclusion

• Block foundation, deck, porch access with hardware cloth
• Bury barrier 12–18" deep (skunks dig)
• 4" mesh max; they squeeze through small gaps
• Low height needed—they're poor climbers

If One's Already There

• Don't harass—spray risk is high
• Call a skunk removal pro: humane trap & relocate (per state law)
• They avoid triggering spray
• Follow with exclusion so others don't move in

Skunks are beneficial (eat grubs, rodents)—just not under your porch. Exclude humanely.