Problem Skunk(s) around my House.

Greetings folks - I've never posted on this forum, usually just at Trapper Talk. Talking to a buddy ("Muskrat") and he suggested I post over here for your experience on this.

This winter my wife and I are smelling skunk scent around the front door, around the door into the garage ( and just inside the garage door in the house ) and also sometimes in the basement, however - there is no skunk in the house/basement. There appears to be a den entrance under our front porch, which is a concrete slab.

It's winter here, we have snow and cold temps. I've got a live trap with a fresh can of cheap cat food. I had the trap outside, near the den hole, but have just re-set the trap in the garage again. We were in town all morning and when we returned to the farm about 1:30 - it smelled like a skunk had sprayed in the garage and around the front of the house.

Can the skunk essence penetrate through a foundation ?

Anyway - I'm totally frustrated with this situation. What do you guys suggest ? I'm not always around the computer, but I'll check in as often as I can.

Regards, Vic

If you are smelling odor but seeing no tracks, chances are good that you have a dead one under there some place. You'll have to figure out where the body is or use the proper amounts of odo-ban or some other cover-up until the smell finally disappears.I've done some fancy digging to get dead skunks out from underneath customer's concrete slabs. Good luck ( I hope he's still alive )

And if you do catch the live skunk.you need to have a plan of what to do with it. Sometimes, wind direction can make a difference in the amount and location of smell. Also, like Paul said, a lot of times the skunk is already dead.

The plan of action is huge! We get lots of calls to pick up a skunk that was caught by accident or the people didn't think about what to do on the next step.

I had. Family of skunk living under my house once and I feel your pain. I got some industrial strength pesticide and put it by the entrance. After about a month of no more skunk smell I dug down around the only area they could get under and hurried a big L shaped piece of diamond mesh I had and never had a problem again. The smell could get so bad that the school bus driver would not let my kids on the bus. I even on occasion went out and slept in my truck it was so bad. Funny thing is now I carry a bottle of essence in my truck for TrappinDad g or whatever I may need it for.

POSITIVE SET the entry hole. Preferably using a 2-door trap, no bait required. If it is in or out, you WILL catch it, unless it is one of the rare occurrences where it digs a new hole to get in/out.

Here's a pic showing a 2-door trap (has skunk in it) and a single door, both face-to-face at the hole. Plywood piece was placed along the lattice to keep them from going out through the diamond-shaped openings in the lattice panel. Also a piece of wood along the outside of the traps. Skunks are not big climbers, so easy to posi-set for them. I caught NINE skunks here!

I have a live trap set and yes, this works as I have trapped and dispatched at least two skunks to date.

I do have a plan once I trap it. I have a 6x8 canvas tarp set up and ready to put over the live trap once I catch the skunk. I will take the trap to a nearby stream that isn't iced over and drown it. If for some reason I can't get to the stream, then I will get the trap well away from the house and shoot it (head shot).

The skunk essence has really penetrated into the house. This isn't a dead skunk. For some reason it is spraying around my house, but I don't know why. It isn't being threatened.

We've lived here 14 years and never had this problem. It's January and right now it's -12 outside. This really sucks big time.

Around here this is very common as Paul has stated. Distemper takes it toll on them on what seems like a daily basis. We have one now under the slab of a raised ranch home. We have done all we can to locate it, found the burrow under a wooden front porch, pulled the deck boards and followed it down with shovels along the wall as deep as we could go, 3-4 feet and it is still heading down along the footer. I have never seen one go this deep. The owners are very persistent about locating it, and I was honest about the marginal chances of finding it( and removing it) if 5 to 10 feet + back under that slab where we believe it is. Saturday they have hired an excavator, and are going to remove the complete porch, and dig along the foundation to the depth it turns under the home to try and locate it. When finished and before they back fill it, they agreed to let us install exclusion wire along the foundation so this does not happen again. So far it has been over a month, all the furniture is moved into storage and a restoration company has been de-odorizing it with 4 machines running full time. The house is fine with them running, but we turn them off for a day to check and the odor returns. The people have moved out and the insurance company is working with them on extended living arrangements.

Wow - wasn't counting on this drastic approach.

So - how is the skunk essence penetrating into the house ? Through the concrete ? Honestly - I don't know anything about this.

Is the answer for me to dig the den out ? Can you explain "exclusion wire" ?

Paul,

The darn skunk has to be alive as the smell that's here is fresh skunk essence and not a rotting carcass - especially at this time of year.

Thanks, Vic

I'm an electrician and we had skunks under a porch we were supposed to wire up. The local game warden at the time said to soak a tennis ball with ammonia and throw it under the porch. We did that, and by the next day, the skunks were gone and never returned. If you're wanting to trap them, I've got zero experience with that. If it's dead, like was already stated, I'd dig it out.

Good luck!!!

You would be amazed at how porous concrete is, and how odor can penetrate it. I had one similar to this many years back, it had dug under the slab and worked it's way back before expiring. You could tell within a feet square feet where it was under the kitchen. Also dead decaying skunks have a completely different smell than a healthy one that sprays. Almost like a burning type smell. Many people will contact the utility company first, thinking they are having an electrical issue. Also, even if there is a dead one, many times I can catch live skunks also inhabiting the den at the same time,so it is worth setting cages to see what happens.

I've had females kill a male when momma has young around.

Well......bought another trap today, now have a gallon of ammonia and I'll pick up some tennis balls while in town this evening.

This has got to end.

If a skunk died under the home/slab for the first few days as it decomposes the pressure in the body can force essence out. few hours/day later more pressure and and another burst. this may happen for up to a week in the right environment. then as the pods and skunk in general break down the acrid burning polyester/electrical smell becomes more prevalent. Using any irritant as a means of exclusion is normally frowned upon. It can back fire just as well as it may work.

As I've already said, this is fresh skunk essence (spray) and not a rotting carcass. Rotting dead animal carcasses will not have any adverse smell until the spring thaw in late March or April - here anyway.

quote=Ron Scheller]POSITIVE SET the entry hole. Preferably using a 2-door trap, no bait required. If it is in or out, you WILL catch it, unless it is one of the rare occurrences where it digs a new hole to get in/out.

Here's a pic showing a 2-door trap (has skunk in it) and a single door, both face-to-face at the hole. Plywood piece was placed along the lattice to keep them from going out through the diamond-shaped openings in the lattice panel. Also a piece of wood along the outside of the traps. Skunks are not big climbers, so easy to posi-set for them. I caught NINE skunks here!


[/quote]

Ron,

Is your trap a home made arrangement or is that made somewhere ? Looks like a real, no nonsense set up.

Regards, Vic

The odor of a live skunk and a dead skunk are very close to the same. It is NOT a dead animal smell. Most people can not tell the difference. Unless you have smelled several different dead skunks. A dead skunk smell can linger on for a couple of months or more. And still smell like a live skunk. And just when you th ink it is gone, the wind will change directions and the smell is back. Several of the people that are saying dead skunk have been in the business for a lot of years and know about what they talk.

Hmmm, interesting. Still, we're very cold here and nothing dead smells dead until spring and warmer weather gets here.

The double-door is from Advanced Trap

http://trappintales.com/AT/product/4-double-door-tube-trap/?v=400b9db48e62

The single-door models are available at Tomahawk or Snare Shop. I like the Snare Shop ones best, as they are heavy duty. Tomahawk has them, also. There are some models with thin, galvanized doors and have a very delicate internal triggering pan system, and usually need rebuilt after a few catches.

http://www.snareshop.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ADC6

http://www.livetrap.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=31168

Well, it looks like a buddy and I will open the den up and try to extract a dead skunk - if that is what I have here.

Should be interesting one way or another.

Good luck. U have a good buddy 2 help u w/ that. Sure is cold right now here in western Wi. Might wanna wear goggles and a mask in case hes alive.

Saturday, Mike ( a.k.a. "Muskrat" here at Tman ) stopped in for the afternoon/evening and he assessed my situation and set two live traps at the den entrance under my concrete porch.

Didn't think the smell here could be associated with a dead skunk (as a few of you have suggested), but Mike wondered the same thing and I reckon I'm learning more and more about this conundrum.

Warming up today and more tomorrow......hopefully the skunk will come out.

Good luck. Ive been wondering.

Keep us informed.

Update on my skunk problem(s) ;

My buddy Mike referred me to another trapper friend and it turns out this fellow traps 50 plus skunks a year as part of his nuisance trapping business.

He recommended I dig out the hole the best I can with the current frozen conditions, spray good bleach ( Chlorox, Purex, etc ) into the hole, then rolling in 3-4 8 oz plastic bottles filled with bleach ( tops off of course ) into the hole/tunnel. He said skunks hate the smell of bleach.

I started this regime three days ago and once I get the bleach into the tunnel, then I place the two live traps in position with bait (cans of cheap cat food) and also a trail of small marshmallows up to, and past the trigger. Friend said that if the protein won't attract them the sweets will and the small marshmallows are the best.

I have to remove one of the live traps to work the entrance hole with bleach and when I'm done with that, then I place the live trap into position again. Both live traps are covered with canvas tarps so the traps mimic a den hole. Pieces of firewood are placed on the slack parts of the tarps so any wind doesn't cause me problems.

If/when a skunk comes out, the only choice they have is one trap or the other.

The last two nights have yielded nothing, but it is colder again and they usually stay denned up. We will warm up into the 30's by Sunday. Friend said that if they're not moving by Tuesday or Wednesday, close the hole up and watch for activity and tracks. They are heading into the mating season and the females will be trying to get away from the males.

Yep - the learning curve is pretty steep here. This will be a long process....at least into the spring thaw.

Regards, Vic

Thanks 4 the update. Is it still stinking terribly?

It varies each day and can vary within the day and in different parts of the house and garage.

My trapper friend and mentor ( coach ) says skunks are the worst nuisance critter there is. He also said to use 22 shorts only - when dispatching them with a gun....revolver. The 22 short cartridge is very slow and does the most damage inside the skunk. Don't us 22 LR and/or high velocity anything.

This time of year male skunks begin to search for females to breed with. When a female rejects a male she sprays him...this could be what is happening!

This is exactly what my friend is saying as well. Looks like we have both denned up in the den under the porch. After chores this morning I checked for fresh tracks and any new holes and no changes.

While checking the traps at the den entrance hole, there is a strong skunk smell emitting from the hole. Later today, I'll move one trap away so I can get in there and work. I'll be pushing 4-6 8 oz bottles of Chlorox bleach (what we now refer to as skunk bombs or grenades) into the tunnel. I'll do this daily until I close the hole next Tuesday or so.

And I thought rejection in the human dating game was bad.

Pest control company attempted to remove this skunk with chemicals. Client said traps closed prematurely, and when they called the company to let them know, they said they would come and reset. They came and reset two days later. The shed is right up against the garage so the odor was penetrating through and up making its way into their vehicles. They ended up using chemicals on the job and closed up the hole using bricks that were on the property to block the hole. The owners ended up having to park their vehicles in the drive due to the odors intensifying. When I got there I could smell it as soon as I got out of the vehicle. Ended up removing their contraption setting up two traps, double door and a single. Normally drape a piece of rubber over the trap but the plastic did just fine. Imo trashy sets are skunk magnets. I've never had to use a chemical to remove a skunk, the home ownsers always beat me to it.

That's because a commercial wildlife control company knows it is illegal to use chemicals for animal control. The label is the law. Positive sets work on their own. Liability issues with any chemical application are high.

Exactly, which begs the question why so many recommend it. Most of the home owners who've I spoke to that had skunks, but at the time couldn't afford or had a reason not to have them removed, or just wanted to attempt the process themselves admit to using bleach, etc because thats what was recommended. IMO complete waste of time, even if the animal is booted out of that den, if the property is appealing 9 out of 10 times it will seek an alternative means to regain residency on that property. I tell all my clients, the absolute best method is removal. It scks and could be pricey, but long term it's worth it. Those people paid 400+ for a company to spray around a shed, seal up an entry hole, and never resolved the issue.

Come on fellas, don't leave us hanging. What did you find?

We've been havin the warm weather u wanted Vic.

Yes we have and I have three cage traps out....still zippidy do dah ! I must be doing something wrong.

Could have run one over with the car the other night driving back to the farm from town. Didn't want to stink up the car also. Darn thing probably lives under my porch too.

I'll have a fourth trap out there later tomorrow. Bought two cage traps from a retiring trapper down south. Mike ( aka "Muskrat" ) and I are meeting in LaX for coffee, eggs and smart talk tomorrow morning. He's bringing the new ( used ) traps with him and I'm returning the one he loaned me several weeks ago.

Sooner or later, I'll get smart and trap the little "dears" as I've heard them referred to.

Regards, Vic

Update

Trapped a skunk this morning in one of my cage traps while in town at church and running errands. I always check the traps first thing in the morning around 5:00 since both traps are right off the side of the front porch.

I had just rekindled the wood stove and glanced out the window and noticed the trap door was down. First thought was one of my black labs had nosed it and released the door - again. Stepped outside to peer through the open end ( there's a tarp over most of the trap to imitate a den hole ) and by golly there was a skunk in there.

So, the skunk came out of the den entrance in sunlight and temps today are mid twenties. Didn't expect to see this today, so I am a bit surprised.

The skunk is dispatch with a 22 short just behind the front legs, no spraying. The rifle barrel just fit through the 1" x 1" wire cage so I could put it up against the skunk.

I don't know how many more are in there, but we'll see. Yesterday I purchased two more ( used, but v good condition ) cage traps and will get them set up tomorrow. I'll then have four traps set up around the place.

I forgot to mention that when I checked the traps around 5:00 this morning ( pitch dark ) they were empty. I checked them again after I got home around 1:30 this afternoon.....and that's when I found one trap occupied.

Male or female. Helps to know what is going on.

Good question, however - I was so caught up in the moment I didn't look.

I'll be sure to determine the sex next time.

We had a warm spell, and now it decides 2 come out today when its cold...
Who'da guessed.
Im surprised it didnt spray.

I was very surprised too. Called my buddy Mike ( aka "Muskrat" ) and he said the same thing as well.

Nothing overnight, but then it's darn cold out there. I'll set the additional traps later this morning.

Well, caught skunk #2 overnight. Labs got me up early and after I let them out, checked the three traps just off the front porch wall and one of the trap doors was down. Thought the dogs might have "nosed", so I grabbed a headlamp and turned on the red light, didn't see anything at first, then saw the skunk tucked back in under the tarp covering.

Going to work early today and no time to fool with it, so I'll dispatch it later this afternoon when I get back.

Geez.
I bet u never imagined this dillema would drag on so long.
Next year u better put some good mesh or something 2 keep them away from your porch

No, not really. Was pondering about closing the den entrance and waiting to see if it would be re-opened....then this happened.

To say the least, there will be traps set for some time yet.

Skunk #1 didn't spray, skunk #2 did big time. I had a tarp between us, but he still got me a little. He's dispatched now and my old clothes are soaking and washing in the machine right now.

Skunk #2 was a "one holer", gender wise. Didn't check the first one....wonder if it as female ??!!

At least u have mike helpin ya. Good luck. I just wonder how many might be in there. Im surprised its been takin 'em this long 2 pop out of there hole. I hate it when those dang things spray.

I hate it when those dang things spray.

You and me both ! My wife washed all of my old clothes I was wearing in a vinegar blend, then again with detergent.

I'm guessing there are more in there yet, so I'll see how many spray in the long run

What breaks down the skunk smell is a mix of Hydrogenperoxide, BakingSoda, and soap. None of that vinegar or tomato juice stuff.
Cheers,

You are correct if one is washing clean a dog or two, etc. This actually works on my clothes. I didn't get sprayed hard as my dogs usually do.

Rickard's makes a bottle of skunk odor removal spray.

Hmmm......

Yep, I bought some. Hope I never have 2 use it tho