To stop skunks from digging, you need to eliminate their attractants, modify their potential habitats, and deploy effective deterrents. Skunks primarily dig for food, such as grubs and insects in your lawn, or to create dens for shelter.
Why Skunks Dig
Skunks are opportunistic foragers and will dig to access their preferred food sources or create burrows. Common reasons for their digging include:
- Grubs and Insects: Their primary motivation for digging up lawns and gardens is to find beetle larvae (grubs), earthworms, and other invertebrates residing just beneath the soil surface.
- Shelter: Skunks may dig burrows under decks, sheds, porches, or foundations to establish a den for resting, raising young, or escaping predators.
- Nuts and Roots: Occasionally, they may dig for fallen nuts or certain plant roots.
Comprehensive Strategies to Prevent Skunk Digging
Preventing skunk digging involves a multi-pronged approach that addresses both food sources and potential shelter.
1. Eliminate Food Attractants
The most effective way to stop skunks from digging in your yard is to remove their primary food sources.
- Grub Control: If skunks are tearing up your lawn, chances are you have a grub infestation.
- Natural Methods: Consider beneficial nematodes or milky spore disease, which are biological controls for grubs.
- Chemical Treatments: Apply grub control products to your lawn during the appropriate season (usually late summer/early fall for preventative measures, or spring for curative treatments). Always follow product instructions carefully.
- Secure Pet Food: Never leave pet food bowls outside, especially overnight, as this is a strong attractant for skunks and other wildlife.
- Harvest Fallen Produce: Promptly pick up fallen fruits, berries, and nuts from trees and bushes in your yard.
- Secure Garbage: Use heavy, metal garbage cans with tightly fitting, locking lids to prevent skunks from scavenging.
- Enclose Compost Piles: Keep compost bins enclosed and secure to prevent skunks from raiding them for food scraps.
2. Implement Physical Barriers and Exclusion
Physical barriers can prevent skunks from accessing areas where they might dig or den.
- Install Protective Fencing:
- Bury Fencing: To stop skunks from burrowing under fences, bury galvanized hardware cloth (1/2-inch mesh) at least 6-12 inches deep.
- L-Shaped Apron: For added security, bend the bottom 6-12 inches of the buried fence outward in an L-shape away from the structure. This discourages digging directly against the barrier.
- Secure Openings: Ensure any existing fences or gates are in good repair and have no gaps larger than 4 inches.
- Seal Entry Points:
- Inspect your home and outbuildings for potential entry points. Skunks can squeeze through surprisingly small openings.
- Block access to crawl spaces, under decks, sheds, and porches using hardware cloth, concrete, or sturdy plywood. Ensure there are no animals inside before sealing off an entry point.
- Install a Skirt Around Structures: For sheds or elevated decks, you can install a sturdy metal or heavy-gauge wire mesh skirt that extends from the base of the structure to below ground level, ideally with an L-shaped footer.
3. Utilize Scent and Taste Deterrents
Skunks have a highly developed sense of smell, and certain strong odors can deter them from your property.
- Household Scents: Skunks are repelled by strong, pungent smells.
- White Vinegar: Spraying diluted white vinegar around areas where skunks are digging can be effective.
- Ammonia: A mixture of diluted ammonia and water can also act as a deterrent.
- Citrus-Based Cleaners: The strong scent of citrus is often unpleasant to skunks.
- Application: Always dilute these cleaners with water before spraying to avoid damaging plants. Reapply the solution every few days, especially after rain, to maintain its effectiveness.
- Commercial Repellents:
- Capsaicin-Based: Sprays or granules containing capsaicin (the active ingredient in chili peppers) can irritate a skunk's sensitive nose and paws.
- Castor Oil: Castor oil can be unpleasant for skunks and may make grubs less appealing. Some commercial repellents use castor oil as an active ingredient.
- Application: Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe and effective use.
- Natural Plant Deterrents: Some people find that planting strong-smelling plants like garlic or hot peppers near vulnerable areas can help, though their effectiveness varies.
4. Deploy Startle Devices
Motion-activated devices can startle skunks and discourage them from lingering.
- Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These devices detect movement and release a sudden burst of water, startling the skunk without harming it.
- Motion-Activated Lights: Bright, sudden lights can also be effective, especially in conjunction with sound.
5. Modify Habitat
Make your yard less appealing as a potential den site.
- Clear Debris: Remove woodpiles, rock piles, brush, and other debris where skunks might seek shelter.
- Trim Landscaping: Keep shrubs and bushes trimmed, especially those close to the ground, to reduce potential hiding spots.
- Close Pet Doors: Ensure pet doors are closed and secured at night.
When to Call a Professional
If skunk digging persists despite your efforts, or if a skunk has clearly taken up residence under a structure, it may be best to contact a licensed wildlife control professional. They can humanely remove the skunk and offer advice on preventing future issues.
Summary of Skunk Deterrents
To effectively manage skunk digging, a combination of methods is often required.
| Deterrent Type | Examples | Application Notes | Credible Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scent/Taste-Based | White Vinegar, Ammonia, Citrus | Dilute, spray every few days, especially after rain | Humane Society |
| Commercial repellents | Follow product instructions | Pest Control Technology | |
| Physical Barriers | Buried Fencing, Mesh | Bury deep (6-12 inches), L-shape footer for effectiveness | Wildlife Removal Guide |
| Food Removal | Grub control, Secure pet food | Consistent application of grub treatments, don't leave food outside | University Extension (Grub) |
| Startle Devices | Motion-activated sprinklers | Place in active digging areas | Purdue University Extension |
