Introduction
Skunks should be removed immediately if they are found under your deck. Skunks’ pungent defensive spray has earned them a lot of notoriety. But that’s not the only reason they’re a nuisance. How To Get Rid Of Skunks Under The Deck? If you discover a skunk making your yard its home, you should take immediate steps to have it leave. And the suggested steps may surprise you.
What are Skunks?
Any animal the size of a cat that is white and black with stripes, spots, or patterns is likely a skunk. About eight species can be found in North America, some of which can have a brown, ginger, or cream coloration.
North and South American skunks are tiny, hairy creatures known for their offensive spray when threatened. The fountain is typically released in self-defense and has a potent odor that may be detected from great distances.
Skunks are about the same size as a domestic cat, measuring between 8 and 19 inches (20 and 48 centimeters). The length of the tail can range from 13 to 38 centimeters or around 5 to 15 inches.
How To Deal With A Skunk Under Your Deck
Wait them out with patience
Most likely, a skunk is in your yard because it is looking for a place to have babies. Between April and September, skunks give birth, so if you find one under your deck during that time, you can bet it has kids with it. Skunk babies don’t leave their den until they’re about eight weeks old, so if you can wait them out, they’ll probably be gone from your yard in about two months.
Use ‘humane harassment’
The skunk chose your deck to build their den because it is safe, dark, and quiet. If the place doesn’t feel safe, dark, or soft, she’ll be more likely to move independently to protect her babies. How to do this without hurting the skunk is explained in great detail at the Toronto Wildlife Center.
Put in a “one-way” door
This door lets the skunk get out, but can’t get back in. Be careful, though, when you put this in. If you put it in while there are still babies under your deck, they won’t be able to get out on their own. Also, if this is put up in the winter, the skunk might be unable to dig into the ground to get somewhere else to live.
Can Skunks Be Found Under Decks?
Skunks that find their way into your home will likely take shelter beneath the deck, where it is dark and food is easily accessible. In such a densely forested location, it is difficult for people and other animals to notice them. Meanwhile, if you have trees in your yard, some fruits, berries, and nuts that fall from them will wind up under your deck, providing a convenient food supply for skunks.
How To Tell If A Skunk Is Living Under Your Deck
A skunk is living under your deck if there is a strong, unpleasant smell coming from that area, shallow holes in your yard, and cat-like footprints in your yard. You may also have skunks under your porch if grass sods in your yard are rolled back, or your dog is always barking near the deck.
Strange Smell
A skunk is probably staying there if you smell a strong, bad smell coming from under your deck. When they feel attacked, they spray a liquid from their anal glands, which gives off the scent. So, if you have a cat or dog as a pet and it smells like a skunk, it may have met one under your deck.
Small Holes in the Yard
Skunks are very good at digging holes. They will drill shallow holes in your yard as they look for insects that live in the dirt to eat. If cat-like tracks are on and around your deck, it could be because a skunk lives under the deck. The only difference between a skunk’s mark and a cat’s is that a skunk’s foot has five toes and is slightly bigger.
Grass Sods Rolled Back
Skunks are good at digging but prefer to take the easy way out. So, if your sod isn’t put down tightly, they’ll roll it back rather than search through it. If the grass sod in your yard is rolled back, skunks may be in your yard, probably under the deck.
Dog Growls
If your dog barks every time it goes by the deck area, but you can’t see anything, don’t rule out the chance that a skunk is hiding under the deck.
What Kind Of Damage Can A Skunk Do Under A House?
Skunks can cause damage to your home. They can eat through electrical wires, cause plumbing leaks, break vent screens, and damage your home’s foundation. Here are some of the things that skunks under the decks can do to cause damage:
Foundational Problems
Skunks can do more damage to your house than stink up your deck. First of all, these animals that dig holes can do a lot of damage to your home’s base. They will search through cracks and other weak spots in your foundation and basement to get under your house. Your house’s integrity will be compromised.
Wiring that isn’t working right
Skunks are also a big fire risk because they can chew through electrical lines when they dig through your foundation. Also, if skunks cut the lines, you may have to deal with power outages that have never happened before.
Leaks in the plumbing
If plumbing lines run through your home’s foundation or crawlspace, a skunk digging in the ground could cause the pipes to burst. Water will build up if your home’s plumbing leaks near the base, leading to structural damage and mold growth.
Damage to the Vent Screen
Skunks can enter your basement or crawlspace by ripping open ground-mounted vent screens with sharp, strong claws. It is a problem because other animals could use the holes to enter your house.
Problems Caused By Skunks Under My Deck
Skunks are attractive, but here are some reasons why you should know how to get rid of Skunks under your deck:
- They are rabies, distemper, and other disease carriers.
- Skunks are dangerous to both pets and people.
- Skunks can damage your trash bags or cans, gardens, and property.
- It stinks up the surroundings.
- Skunks harm your home’s wiring as they burrow for shelter or food.
- They are digging up plants.
- They dig or excavate tunnels beneath the deck or foundation.
Conclusion
Addressing a skunk infestation under your deck requires patience, careful planning, and humane removal methods. Skunks are known for their distinctive scent and potential to cause damage, but it’s important to approach their removal with sensitivity to both the animals and your safety. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively and responsibly address the issue of skunks under your deck, restoring a sense of peace and security to your outdoor living space.
