Wildlife Coexistence Guide
Living with Skunks
Skunks are gentle, beneficial neighbors — misunderstood because of their defense mechanism. Most conflicts are easily resolved without trapping or removal.
Species Overview
Striped Skunk Anatomy
About Striped Skunks
Skunks are gentle animals who tend to be nocturnal, though they are sometimes active during the day — especially nursing mothers who need extra food. They have an extremely important ecological role that is often overlooked because of the stigma surrounding their spray.
Because of their extreme nearsightedness, skunks are prone to falling into uncovered window wells and other pit-like hazards. Their limited agility also makes it difficult for them to climb out once they’ve fallen in.
Skunks will not spray unless they truly feel threatened. Before escalating to this drastic option, they stamp their front feet as a warning — giving you ample opportunity to back off slowly.
Common Situations
What to Do When You Encounter a Skunk
Skunk in the Garden
Consider yourself lucky! Skunks eat the insect pests that plague gardens — including Japanese beetle and masked chafer larvae. Because skunks focus on insects rather than flowers or vegetables, they rarely cause problems.
Skunk Under a Deck or Shed
Skunks use cavities under decks and sheds to raise their young — but they leave as soon as the young are old enough to move on.
Caught a Skunk in a Trap (Set for Something Else)
You can release the skunk without getting sprayed. Skunks only spray when something approaches them fast. If you move slowly and speak soothingly, you won’t be sprayed.
If the skunk stamps its front feet, stay motionless until it stops, then proceed. Stamping is a warning, not a commitment to spray.
Skunk Trapped in a Window Well
Skunks fall into window wells because of their poor eyesight, and can’t climb out because of their limited agility.
After the skunk is out, install a window well cover — otherwise this will happen again.
Skunk Fell into a Pool
Skunks fall into pools fairly often due to their poor eyesight. Use a pool skimmer or broom to gently lift the skunk out. The skunk may be exhausted and need time to recover.
Skunk with Head Stuck in a Container
A skunk won’t spray anything it can’t see. Wearing gloves, grab the container firmly. Upon feeling resistance, the skunk will pull back and its head should pop free. Stand motionless — the skunk will usually blink a few times and then head home.
Skunk Getting into Garbage
Trapping won’t solve this problem — as long as food is accessible, animals will keep coming. The solution is to eliminate the food source.
Skunk Digging Up the Lawn
When it rains heavily or a lawn is overwatered, grubs come to the surface — and skunks smell them and start digging. Once the lawn dries out and watering is reduced, the digging should stop.
Bad Odor in the House
To neutralize skunk odor indoors, place a few drops of Odors Away (available at hardware stores) in a bowl in the affected room. Add new drops each day. If the odor persists for weeks, it may indicate a dead skunk nearby — consult a professional.
Baby Skunks Found Near a Dead Mother
Baby skunks found near a deceased mother need immediate help from a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Dog Sprayed by a Skunk? Here’s What Works.
This simple recipe neutralizes skunk odor in minutes — far more effective than tomato juice.
Note: if your dog was sprayed in the face, it may have bad breath for a while. Keep dogs leashed near areas where skunks may be active.
Why Trapping Doesn’t Work
Trapping hardly ever solves wildlife problems — in fact, it usually makes them worse. Even when all the skunks are trapped out of an area, others from surrounding areas quickly move in to fill the vacancy. In addition, trapping a nursing mother leaves dependent young behind to starve. The most effective approach is to remove whatever is attracting the animal — the food source or the den site — and exclude animals from areas where they’re not wanted.
When to Call for Help Immediately
Most skunk encounters are harmless. However, contact animal control or a licensed rehabilitator right away if a skunk is showing any of the following signs:
- Circling or staggering
- Dragging itself or appearing partially paralyzed
- Appearing injured or extremely disoriented
- Following people or acting unusually aggressive
- Falling down repeatedly
Keep people and pets away from any skunk displaying these behaviors.
Need Help With a Skunk?
AERO Animal Rescue provides guidance for injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife across Northern Virginia. If you’ve found a skunk in distress or need advice, reach out.