Skunks

Homeowner, renter or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Ensure pet food, bird food, and food compost are not accessible to skunks.
• Check your home and other structures for holes that skunks may use for access. Seal any holes with durable materials, such as metal flashing or hardware cloth.

Around home

• Dispose of garbage properly, and secure garbage in an animal-proof receptacle when possible.
• Clean grills of food scraps and grease.
• Sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens from skunks and other wildlife. Skunks can dig, so consider burying the fence a few inches deep or using a horizontal skirt fence.
• Seal pet doors at night to keep skunks from entering your house.
• Skunks will sometimes climb into window wells and find themselves unable to climb out. Place a rough board into the well and allow the skunks to climb out.

Pets and livestock

• Ensure eggs and poultry are in a secure location, especially at night. Spilled or accessible livestock food can also attract skunks.
• Skunks are relatively docile if encountered, but may spray or bite if too agitated. Be mindful that some dogs may have an instinct to chase skunks. Keep dogs fenced or leashed, particularly at night, if this is a concern.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around your house are the best ways to reduce skunk conflicts.
• If skunks are digging up your lawn, use a chemical treatment on the soil to reduce grubs and other insects skunks are trying to eat. Vertical fencing with 3 inch or small holes, along with a 12 inch horizontal skirt fence can also help to keep skunks off your lawn.
• If a skunk gets into an attic or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) or place ammonia-soaked rags in the space to deter the skunk. Seal the opening through which the skunk entered once the skunk leaves.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• Various skunk deterrents, such as lights and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If you found an injured skunk or a young skunk that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of skunks other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• In areas where hunting or trapping is allowed, a skunk may be lethally removed by the property owner or their designee without a hunting or trapping license if the skunk is doing or about to do damage. A hunting or trapping license is required if one of those methods is used to lethally remove a skunk not related to damage.
• In areas where hunting and trapping are not allowed, you can contact a nuisance animal control company. Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in trapping the skunk.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Educate residents about removing food sources like outdoor pet food and bird food that can attract skunks. Spring and fall are the best times for messaging.
• Check buildings for holes that skunks may use for access. Seal any holes with durable materials.

Your community

• Encourage residents to dispose of garbage properly. Talk to your waste company about providing residents with animal-proof garbage receptacles.
• Clean grills of food scraps and grease.
• Sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens from skunks and other wildlife. Skunks can dig, so consider burying the fence a few inches deep or using a horizontal skirt fence.
• Encourage residents to seal pet doors at night to keep skunks from entering your house.
• Implement ordinances and enforcement that prohibit feeding skunks and other wildlife that may cause problems.

Public spaces

• Encourage residents and park staff to dispose of garbage properly. Consider talking to your waste disposal company about integrating animal-proof trash receptacles.
• Ensure parks have ordinances and signage requiring users to clean grills, not feed wildlife, etc. to reduce attracting skunks.
• Eliminate or board up abandoned structures that can provide shelter for skunks.
• Remove large brush piles, rock piles, and similar structures where skunks may find food and shelter.
• Skunks will sometimes climb into window wells and find themselves unable to climb out. Place a rough board into the well and allow the skunks to climb out.

Pets and livestock

• Educate residents with poultry about housing them in a secure location, especially at night. Spilled or accessible poultry food can also attract skunks.
• Skunks are relatively docile if encountered, but may spray or bite if too agitated. Be mindful that some dogs may have an instinct to chase skunks. Encourage residents to keep dogs fenced or leashed, particularly at night, if this is a concern.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Preventing skunks from being attracted to food and shelter resources are the best ways to control skunk problems.
• If a skunk gets into an attic or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) or ammonia-soaked rags to scare the skunk out. Seal the opening through which the skunk entered once the skunk leaves.
• Various skunk deterrents, such as lights and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but the type of animal causing it is unknown, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If skunks are digging up a lawn, use a chemical treatment on the soil to reduce grubs and other insects skunks are trying to eat. Vertical fencing with 3 inch or small holes, along with a 12 inch horizontal skirt fence can also help to keep skunks off the lawn.
• If someone finds an injured skunk or a young skunk and they believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of skunks other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• If your jurisdiction allows hunting, a skunk may be lethally removed by the property owner or their designee without a hunting license if the skunk is doing or about to do damage. A hunting or trapping license is required if one of those methods is used to lethally remove a skunk not related to damage.
• If your jurisdiction does not allow hunting or trapping, contact a nuisance animal control company. Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in trapping the skunk.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Remove or secure food sources like cafeteria waste and bird food that can attract skunks.
• Check your building and other structures for holes that skunks may use for access. Seal any holes with durable materials.

Grounds

• Ensure that staff and students are disposing of garbage properly, ideally in animal-proof receptacles.
• Sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens from skunks and other wildlife. A single or double strand hot-wire/electric fence may help discourage skunks from gardens.
• Eliminate or board up abandoned structures that can provide shelter for skunks.
• Skunks will sometimes climb into window wells and find themselves unable to climb out. Place a rough board into the well and allow the skunks to climb out.

Pets and livestock

• If your business or school has poultry, house them in a secure location, especially at night. Spilled or accessible poultry food can also attract skunks.
• Encourage staff and visitors to keep dogs fenced or leashed, particularly at night. Skunks are relatively docile if encountered but may spray or bite if too agitated. Some dogs may have an instinct to chase skunks.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around your house are the best ways to control skunk conflicts.
• If a skunk gets into an attic or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) or ammonia-soaked rags to deter the skunk. Seal the opening through which the skunk entered once the skunk leaves.
• Various skunk deterrents, such as lights and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but the type of animal causing it is unknown, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If skunks are digging up a lawn, use a chemical treatment on the soil to reduce grubs and other insects skunks are trying to eat. Vertical fencing with 3 inch or small holes, along with a 12 inch horizontal skirt fence can also help to keep skunks off the lawn.
• If someone finds an injured skunk or a young skunk and believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of skunks other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• If hunting is allowed on your grounds, a skunk may be lethally removed by the property owner or their designee without a hunting license if the skunk is doing or about to do damage. A hunting or trapping license is required if one of those methods is used to lethally remove an skunk not related to damage.
• In areas where hunting and trapping are not allowed, you can contact a nuisance animal control company. Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in trapping the skunk.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Keep livestock feed and outdoor pet food stored securely to minimize skunk access.
• Check outbuildings and other structures for holes that skunks may use for access. Seal any holes with durable materials.

Your farm or orchard

• Remove ripe or rotten fruits and vegetables that may attract skunks.
• Metal shielding or sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help discourage skunks from climbing fruit trees and other large plants. Fitting hot-wire/electric fencing around plants may especially discourage skunks.
• Keep grain bins, hay bales, and similar materials stored securely to reduce skunks using it for food or shelter.
• Secure doors for livestock and outdoor pets at night to keep skunks from entering outbuildings.

Pets and livestock

• Ensure poultry is in a secure location, especially at night. Attempt to place all roosting areas away from fencing as skunks are often able to reach through most wire fencing. Spilled or accessible poultry food can also attract skunks.
• Skunks are relatively docile if encountered, but may spray or bite if too agitated. Be mindful that some dogs may have an instinct to chase skunks. Keep dogs fenced or leashed, particularly at night, if this is a concern.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around your farm or orchard are the best ways to control skunk conflicts.
• If a skunk gets into an attic or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) or ammonia-soaked rags to deter the skunk. Seal the opening through which the skunk entered once the skunk leaves.
• Various skunk deterrents, such as lights and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If you found an injured skunk or a young skunk that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of skunks other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• In areas where hunting is allowed, a skunk may be lethally removed by the property owner or their designee without a hunting license if the skunk is doing or about to do damage. A hunting or trapping license is required if one of those methods is used to lethally remove a skunk not related to damage.
• In areas where hunting and trapping are not allowed, you can contact a nuisance animal control company. Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in trapping the skunk.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Ensure food sources like cafeteria waste and garbage are secured to avoid attracting skunks.
• Check hangers and other structures for holes that skunks may use for access. Seal any holes with durable materials.

Around buildings

• Encourage staff to properly dispose of trash and use animal-proof garbage receptacles when possible.
• Skunks will sometimes climb into window wells and find themselves unable to climb out. Place a rough board into the well and allow the skunks to climb out.
• Skunks are relatively docile if encountered, but may spray or bite if too agitated. Be mindful that some dogs may have an instinct to chase skunks. Keep dogs fenced or leashed, particularly at night, if this is a concern.

Airfields

• Minimize shelter for skunks by maintaining short vegetation and removing features like rock piles or trees with large cavities.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around the airfield are the best ways to control skunk conflicts.
• If a skunk gets into a hangar loft or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) or ammonia-soaked rags to deter the skunk. Seal the opening through which the skunk entered once the skunk leaves.
• Various skunk deterrents, such as lights and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but the type of animal causing it is unknown, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If someone finds an injured skunk or a young skunk and believes it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of skunks other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• If skunks are causing a public safety issue at an airport, a DNR Wildlife Division regional supervisor or district law enforcement supervisor or their designee can issue a removal permit without an investigation.
• If hunting or trapping is allowed on airport property, skunks can be removed with legal hunting or trapping methods during the regulated season provided a valid hunting or trapping license.
• If skunks are not an immediate public safety issue, contact a nuisance animal control company.
• Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in trapping the skunk.