Have you noticed digging around your deck, porch, or shed? Skunks often burrow in dark, sheltered spaces for safety and nesting, but their digging can cause damage to foundations and leave unpleasant smells. Skunks dig for shelter, warmth, or food, but taking early action—like sealing gaps or using skunk deterrents—can prevent these issues.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Niagara, we offer expert solutions to protect your home while treating wildlife humanely. Keep reading for simple steps to stop skunks from burrowing under your deck.

Why Do Skunks Dig Under Structures?

Before tackling the issue, it’s important to understand why skunks dig around your property. They aren’t trying to cause damage—they’re just meeting their basic needs. Areas like sheds, decks, and porches often provide what they’re looking for. 

Here’s why skunks create burrows under structures:

• Shelter and Safety: Skunks need a safe place to hide from predators. Spaces under decks and porches are dark, quiet, and enclosed, offering ideal protection. If your deck or shed isn’t sealed, it’s an open invitation for them to move in.
• Nesting: In spring, female skunks seek warm, safe spaces to give birth and raise their young. Shaded and enclosed areas like your porch or shed provide the perfect environment. Once they settle in, it’s tough to get them to leave.
• Food: Skunks are opportunistic feeders, often digging in lawns or gardens for grubs and insects. Accessible food sources like pet food, open trash bins, or compost piles can attract them to your property and keep them coming back.
• Winter Shelter: In colder months, skunks look for insulated spots to stay warm and conserve energy. They may dig deeper under your deck or foundation to create a winter den, which can turn into a permanent shelter if not addressed.

Understanding these behaviors helps you tackle the root causes and take effective steps to prevent skunks from digging and protect your property.

Problems Caused by Skunk Burrows

When animals begin digging under your structures, it can affect your property in significant ways. One major concern is structural damage. Tunnels dug under porches, sheds, and other areas can weaken the foundation over time. 

Soil may begin to shift, which puts pressure on your structures and can lead to cracks, sagging floors, or even instability in extreme cases. If left unresolved, these issues could result in costly repairs to secure the affected areas properly.

Another challenge is the odour that often comes with these animals. Even if they don’t spray as a defence, their presence can cause a musky, earthy smell to linger where they set up shelter. These odours are tough to eliminate and may persist for weeks or longer, especially if the area remains damp or enclosed. This can make enjoying your outdoor spaces uncomfortable and unpleasant.

Health risks should not be overlooked either. Animals living under your property can carry parasites like ticks, fleas, or mites, which may spread to pets or even people. Additionally, their droppings, left nearby or under your structures, can introduce bacteria or harmful pathogens. 

If these areas aren’t cleaned up and addressed, it could pose a risk to your family’s health, especially for those with weakened immune systems or young children. Addressing these challenges sooner rather than later is key to keeping your home safe, clean, and secure.

How to Stop Skunks From Digging Under Your Property

Preventing future issues starts with making your home less attractive to them. Here are some professional steps you can take to secure your property and discourage these animals from returning.

• Seal Off Potential Entry Points: Work with professionals to block access to common burrowing spots. Experts can install barriers using durable materials like steel mesh or wire buried 6-12 inches deep around the edges of decks, sheds, or porches to prevent animals from digging their way in.
• Use Skunk-Proof Fencing: Reinforce vulnerable areas with strong, low fencing installed by specialists. Properly installed fencing, extending underground and made of materials like galvanized steel, ensures maximum protection.
• Keep Your Yard Well-Lit: Bright areas can discourage skunks from settling in. Consider hiring professionals to install outdoor lighting, such as motion-activated lights, to deter animals without constant brightness.
• Secure Garbage and Food Sources: Consult experts on securing trash bins with locking lids and properly managing food sources like pet bowls or compost containers. Removing food attractions reduces the likelihood of animal visits.
• Fill Existing Burrows Correctly: If burrows are discovered, ensure they are professionally inspected and cleared. Specialists can use methods like one-way doors or deterrents to safely remove animals before sealing the burrow with tightly packed soil to prevent re-digging.

Implementing these measures with the help of professionals can effectively stop future visits from digging animals while ensuring your property and structures remain secure.

Say Goodbye to Your Digging Dilemma with Skedaddle

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Niagara, we safely remove animals without harming them. Using proven methods like one-way doors, we gently guide animals out of unwanted spaces and implement prevention measures to keep them from returning.

Animals digging under decks or foundations can cause damage, odours, and health risks. By addressing why they dig and preventing it, you can protect your home while respecting wildlife.

We offer humane, effective solutions for skunks and other wildlife in Niagara and beyond. Contact us today for expert removal and prevention services to keep your home safe and animal-free.