Villa Park Neighborhood Assoc.

Unwanted Animal visits!

How to deal with skunks visiting your back yard?

Depending on where these skunks are showing up, (ie, under porches, decks, etc), there are a few things people can try to discourage them from coming in their yards and burrowing under their decks. First, when they do see these critters, negative reinforcement is the first thing they should try, such as making noise to let these critters know that people are there. Clapping your hands, using a whistle, stomping your feet, etc. Since skunks will usually show themselves at night, dawn and dusk, it doesn’t hurt for people to use motion detector lights on their porches, so that the lights go on with these critters approach. This will usually scare them away. Secondly, if skunks are making homes under peoples porches or decks, they can try two things: 1) Burrowing an 18 inch wire mesh underground where the skunks are getting in, or use concrete or sheet metal to seal off access points where the skunks are getting in. 2) Using a nylon stocking stuffed with ammonia soaked rags, and placing them around or under the house in the areas where the skunks are getting under. Be sure to attach a long enough string to the stocking to remove the stocking later. If they have children, this method may not be a good method to use, as ammonia can be very strong and harmful if kids get into it. It can be quite effective in deterring skunks and raccoons though. 3) If a person live traps a skunk (which is allowed on their own property), then the skunk must be destroyed. It cannot be relocated. (This is usually not a preferred method by most people because they don’t want to have to destroy the animal after they’ve captured it).

I hope this information helps. Feel free to contact me if you further questions. Thanks!



Vicki Vargas-Madrid

District Wildlife Manager, Westminster

Colorado Division of Wildlife

303-291-7135