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Skunks under the house #878496

Asked July 23, 2024, 8:15 PM EDT

Hi team, our house has a screened in back porch that’s raised about 1 foot, and we’ve had periodic problems with skunks since we moved in. In the past, we have called the trapping service and had some success, but this year the trappers only caught raccoons. We are at our wits end and really wanting to get the skunk smell out of our basement and porch area. Do you have any ideas? I’m willing to try another wildlife removal service, but I just don’t know if we would get different results.

Washtenaw County Michigan

Expert Response

PePe LePU's perfume will dissipate after his cousins leave.  To permanently bid adieu to your unwanted deck guests you will first need to evict them from the premises, most likely by professional trapping (be sure to get the kits (babies) out too).  I couldn't find any other reliable means of persuading skunks to leave, online.  Next you need to remove the 'Welcome' sign by removing/eliminating access to denning sites under and around structures such as garages, decks and homes so skunks can't return later.  This may require the installation (and burial) of hardware cloth to close the door to their preferred lodging. Closing the door should keep the raccoons out too.  More info in the attached links: 
https://extension.psu.edu/skunks-solutions-to-common-problems
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2779&context=extensionhist - neutralizing skunk odor
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what-makes-skunks-such-scent-sensational-neighbors
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1997&context=extension_histall
https://webhosting.cals.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/383/2017/09/G3273.pdf
Caution needs to be exercised as skunks can carry rabies.
Dick M. Replied July 24, 2024, 10:18 PM EDT

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