Can Skunks Crawl Under Fences?

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, this question comes up a lot. Unfortunately, it normally arises when someone is surprised to find skunks around their homes despite having a fence. We believe it is important to understand the wildlife that lives around us. With a better idea of what skunks do and how they behave, it is easier to live harmoniously with them. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNHSBKpqMY8&list=PLW_BKC6LNlz5GtqkkekQHLaiqCR9p49Z3&index=10[/embed]

Skilled Burrowers

As you may have guessed already, skunks can crawl under fences. They are capable burrowers and use this skill to access hiding spots and food sources. We have seen numerous cases of do-it-yourself attempts at excluding skunks. However, these often fail because people neglect to add protection underground. Even when they do sink their defenses below ground level, many people are still bothered by these persistent diggers. If you are very worried about your lawn, you can lay down chicken wire and stake it down. This will prevent skunks from digging a wide enough hole to burrow. Skunks often find their ways under porches or into crawl spaces. They are especially likely to do this if there is a convenient food source nearby. If you are struggling with skunks burrowing into your yard, call our animal control Oshawa team or another one of our locations for help.

The Skedaddle Approach to Skunk Control

Our wildlife control mindset is focused on understanding how animals behave and planning removal and exclusion strategies accordingly. We became a humane animal control company in part because we realized that many of the most effective practices are also those that are friendliest to the animals. The key to addressing skunk problems is to remove the attractants that are bringing them onto your property. Despite their bad rap, skunks are very shy and passive creatures. They only come near humans and our homes to find warm dens and food sources. If they don’t have easy access to scavenged food on your property, they will likely look elsewhere. Pet food is a common issue for homeowners. Simply placing your pet food in a sealed, plastic container will help prevent skunks from smelling it and coming near. They are most active in the dark, so try to avoid leaving pet food in the open overnight. Another effective strategy is to install motion-activated lights. Again, skunks are fairly shy and will typically run away if surprised. Finally, you can always wait out skunks living on your property. They move around a lot and avoid staying in dens for more than a few days. We are always happy to help with removal, but sometimes the best approach is just to let them leave on their own.

Other Considerations

Despite their ability to go under obstacles, skunks are not very good climbers. They have long claws that help them move dirt but are more of an impediment than a help when climbing over something. Therefore, if you have a fence or barrier in an area that can’t be burrowed under, you can likely keep skunks out.

Reasons to Love Skunks

As is often the way in nature, skunks play an important role in the ecosystem. If you have a garden or are otherwise cultivating plants, having a skunk around may be good news. They tend to eat insects and other pests that can damage your plants. Although skunks may be a nuisance when they spray, if you give them a little space, you can easily live in harmony as they protect your flowers and other plants.

Animal Control Services

Skunks can be found all over southern Canada and in the United States. If you have a skunk that you want to have removed from your property, called Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. We offer animal control in Oshawa and other surrounding cities that Canadian residents count  on every day. Contact us to set up an appointment.