Skunks: Coexisting with Wildlife

Background Information 

• Two species of skunks live in the San Diego area, spotted and striped. 
• Skunks live in every urban environment and play a role in controlling the population of black widow spiders, rodents and reptiles. 
• Skunks typically have their babies from late April to early June in the San Diego area. 
• All skunks, including babies, can spray. 
• It is important to know that skunks can carry rabies.
• Trapping and relocating skunks is illegal and ineffective. The better solution is to remove resources such as pet food, access to garbage cans, fruit on the ground, grubs in the lawn and excess food falling from the bird feeder.  
• Skunks may be found living in openings under your house, decks or wood piles. 

Tips for Coexisting with Skunks:

• A persistent, faint skunk odor around a hole leading under a foundation or deck indicates a skunk may be present. To find out, cover the hole with loose dirt, and if a skunk is present, they will dig out during the night. Allow three days for this test — if dirt remains undisturbed, then close the opening with bricks, blocks, boards or hardware cloth. 
• Install one-way doors on entrances to skunk dens, allowing the skunk to leave at night but barring them from re-entering. Watch for any new holes. Do not use one-way doors during May through August when babies may be in the den. If the mother cannot return, the babies will starve. This is inhumane and can also cause odor problems. 
• Place rags soaked in apple cider vinegar and/or sprinkle cayenne pepper around your yard to discourage digging. 
• Start a nontoxic insect control program (especially for grubs) to discourage digging.
• Fences are effective as long as they are buried at least one and a half feet in the ground. 
• If a skunk strays into your garage, leave a door to the outside open and let the skunk exit on their own. 
• Securely enclose pet chickens in their coop, especially at night. Repair all openings in the coop or fencing. Fencing should extend at least one and a half feet underground to prevent skunks and other animals from digging under. 
• Debris and brush piles should be removed or stacked neatly to eliminate potential den sites or hiding places. 
• Blow-up or plastic great horned owls may be strategically placed and periodically moved to deter skunks. 
• Lighting up any denning sites and placing a portable radio nearby may cause the skunk to leave. 
• Keep pet doors closed at night to prevent skunks from entering your home.
• Keep fruit trees picked and don't leave rotting fruit on the ground. 
• Stop using birdseed. Skunks are attracted to it and to the birds and rodents that use the feeder. 
• If possible, eliminate outdoor sources of water. 
• Battery operated flashing lights, recorded human noises, scattered moth balls and vinegar-soaked rags may prevent skunks from entering your yard. 

What to do if you find:

Sprayed by Skunks

If a person or pet surprises a skunk in a situation where they cannot retreat, the skunk will spray in self-defense. 

Skunk spray in human eyes is extremely irritating and can cause temporary blindness, but no permanent damage. Flush eyes liberally with cold water to ease irritation. You may be able to save clothing by washing it repeatedly in vinegar water and/or hanging it outside for a month or so before dry-cleaning. For the worst sprays, however, it may be best to throw out the clothing. 

When your pet is sprayed, the quicker you take action, the more completely you can remove the odor. 

Wash your pet with diluted vinegar to counteract the chemical makeup of the skunk spray. Skunk Off and similar products containing neutroleum alpha, available from some pet stores, are effective.