How do you know if you have a skunk under your shed or porch?

SKUNK PREVENTION & EXCLUSION: Skunks commonly set up a den under buildings, the most common of which are elevated homes, porches, sheds, decks, and even other architectural features like heating units. It is essential that the entire family is removed, and often part of the process involves blocking all entry/exit to the structure, and funneling the skunks out into a single trap or exclusion device. The most important step in the process, not just for skunks but for many species of wildlife that can live under your building, from groundhogs to raccoons to stray cats, is to install an exclusion barrier around the perimeter of the structure. Because many animals can burrow, you should dig a trench around the structure, and install a heavy steel mesh into the ground and bending outward, which the animals are unable to dig under. You can buy this at any hardware store, such as Home Depot. Affix the steel mesh to the structure with screws and washers, and you can add lattice work for visual appeal, to keep skunks out permanently.

While there is no way that a person can detect the presence of skunks during daylight, there are a few signs to tell if a skunk is living inside your house – under your shed or the porch.



Skunks, the nocturnal pests, can be anywhere. It can be in your yard, in the attic or under the shed. The rabies carriers should make any home owner be aware that it is vital to remove them from the human’s place.

However, before you can eliminate the skunks, it is necessary to detect their whereabouts in your house.

Smell the odor

The smell can be very strong even if it’s far away. Skunks are smelly. You can sense the bad odor of a skunk if it is living under the shed. If there is an unusual odor – it is highly likely coming from the spray. But it can also be coming from their body even when they are not spraying.

The next time you work in your garden or happen to smell unusual faint odor, it can be argued that there are skunks there.

The holes

This is a visible sign to identify a skunk’s presence in your yard. Skunks dig soils and make holes in the garden. Generally, the holes are in perfect circle. Sometimes, skunks build foundation by digging holes too. you can also locate their footprints nearby.

Your pets bark

Dogs generally bark on strangers. This goes the same when they meet skunks. If your dog occasionally barks on your yard but you sight nothing, it can be assumed that your pet has spotted its presence. And even if the skunks are just passing by, they can one day visit your house and dig some holes.

Skunks use defenses when they feel threatened. Home owners can modify their yard by setting up tall fence and making sure that the area is clean from garbages. Chicken wire can seal your garden perfectly as the structure won’t allow skunks to infiltrate your garden.

Skunks repellents are also a good way to get rid of the animal. It will ward off the skunks from your home but the repellent works in temporary mode. Which means, once the odor has evaporated, the skunks could come back to your territorial. You can use your predator urine as skunk repellent as this works almost effective most of the time.

Or, you can place ammonia soaked rags nearby. The strong odor quickly come and go but this is an effective way to get rid of the skunks. Some home owners found that using raccoon traps can also remove the skunks humanely.

Skunk removals are done in many ways but poisoning should not be one of them. It is inhumane and it could make the matter worse. Imagine if a skunk is inside your home and it dies of poison in the unknown. It would be hard to identify the location.

You may also want to read:
  • Do skunks burrow underground?
  • Skunk Prevention Tips: How to Keep Skunks Away
  • Skunk Trapping: How To catch a Skunk


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