What damage can skunks cause under my house?

Urban skunks are becoming an increasing concern and problem for homeowners and property owners in general. In counties with particularly poor weather skunks are likely to seek shelter inside, beneath, and around your property for protection from the elements and other animals. This is particularly likely during the day as the skunk is a nocturnal animal and will sleep during the day and only leave at night to search for food.

How do I know I have skunks on my property?

This can be very hard to tell, as skunks only come out of their sheltered spot at night, therefore it is unlikely that you would be able to spot a skunk leaving your property. The most obvious sign that a skunk is inside your home, beneath your home or burrowed in a garden, is a strong odor. This is commonly referred to as “skunk spray” and is particularly foul and long-lasting as its purpose is to stun and scare away anything the skunk deems as a threat to give the skunk the opportunity to flee or stand their ground in their safe space. 

You may notice a particularly foul smell coming through your floorboards, small crawl space, or around your garden. This can be very long-lasting, as much as 21 days if it is not treated.

However, that is not to say that if there is no smell that you may not have a skunk problem, as skunks only spray when they feel their life is in danger. Other signs you have a skunk problem can include small holes in your garden as skunks search for plants and insects. They will often be relatively shallow holes which would have small scratch marks upon closer inspection and there would be several near one another. In this case, the skunk is a threat to your garden, your plants, and potentially any pets outside your home.

The biggest, most expensive threat to your home by a skunk is your foundations. Skunks are skillful burrowers and can dig holes underneath the foundations of your home for warmth and shelter from the elements. When they have successfully burrowed underneath your home skunks can also be a risk to your electrical wires and plumbing.

All this damage is amplified if you are unlucky enough to have a family of skunks underneath your home which is common if a female finds your home particularly comfortable and will have her children there. The more skunks, the more damage they are likely to cause as they move around.

Related Articles

Select Your Animal

Raccoons

Raccoon Removal Information & How-To Tips

Squirrel

Squirrel Removal Information & How-To Tips

Opossum

Opossum Removal Information & How-To Tips

Skunks

Skunks Removal Information & How-To Tips

Rats

Rat Removal Information & How-To Tips

Mouse

Mouse Removal Information & How-To Tips

Bat

Bat Removal Information & How-To Tips

Bird

Bird Removal Information & How-To Tips

Snake

Snake Removal Information & How-To Tips

Beaver

Beaver Removal Information & How-To Tips

Mole

Mole Removal Information & How-To Tips

Vole

Vole Removal Information & How-To Tips

Gopher

Gopher Removal Information & How-To Tips

Rabbit

Rabbit Removal Information & How-To Tips

Woodchuck

Woodchuck Removal Information & How-To Tips

Flying Squirrel

Flying Squirrel Removal Information & How-To Tips

Chipmunk

Chipmunk Removal Information & How-To Tips

Coyote

Coyote Removal Information & How-To Tips

Fox

Fox Removal Information & How-To Tips

Wild Hog

Wild Hog Removal Information & How-To Tips

Dead Animal

Dead Animal Removal Information & How-To Tips