How to Keep Skunks Out of Your Yard—And What to Do If You See One (2025)

Just like other annoying yard pets like deer and rabbits, skunks may be cute (stinking cute, that is), and for the most part, they’re pretty mild-mannered. But these critters can cause several problems if they start popping up around your yard.

First and foremost, they're most notorious for spraying a strong, odorous secretion when they sense a threat. If you’ve ever had a pet sprayed by a skunk, it's important to know how to neutralize the foul smell: Grab the hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and liquid dish soap, according to the Humane Society!

While not as common as the pungent spraying, skunks can also spread diseases like rabies and distemper, which is an additional worry for any pets that play outside. And because they dig and burrow, skunks can also cause structural problems if they get underneath your house, sheds, or any other structures, says Meg Pearson, training manager at Critter Control, a humane nuisance wildlife removal company.

Here’s more intel from pest-control experts on how to keep skunks out of your yard.

If skunks are lurking nearby, you've probably spotted small holes around your yard—these are usually dug by skunks in the night while looking for grubs and insects to eat, Pearson says. Tipped-over trash cans are usually blamed on raccoons, but it could also be associated with skunk activity, she adds. You might also spot their paw prints; they look like little bear tracks.

“And, of course, if you smell that classic skunk scent, it's very likely you have a skunk roaming somewhere nearby,” she says.

Skunk spray, by the way, is made up of organic sulfur-containing thiols, according to Poison Control. Some describe skunk musk as smelling like rotten eggs mixed with burned rubber. Interestingly, a skunk can leave its odors behind even if it doesn’t spray.

Skunks tend to be most active during the warmer months, says pest control expert Allan Bossel, who is currently working with Bed Bug Exterminator. But since they don’t hibernate, Bossel says, they might be more of a problem during fall and winter because they tend to forage around houses and dumpsters when food becomes more scarce in the wild.

“They also tend to burrow near houses more during the winter to stay warm and sheltered,” says Bossel, who has more than a decade of experience in pest management. Skunks are also mainly active at night, around dawn and dusk, he says.

Skunks aren’t all bad! Some farmers and homeowners appreciate them because they are natural predators of insects and rodents. But if your kids play in the backyard or your dog uses a doggy door to get outside, there could be some unwanted run-ins with skunks.

Skunks are also nomadic creatures, so they may just be paying your yard a quick visit before going along their merry way. But they also could be scouting out your yard for a den, which means they’re eyeing a longer-term stay.

If you want to keep skunks out of your yard, the best way to do so is to make it less attractive to these nocturnal creatures in the first place. Here are a few tips that experts recommend:

1. Seal Off Entry Points

Because skunks like to burrow under decks or porches, sealing off the entry points with copper mesh can help keep them out of your yard, says Rocky Beninato, founder and certified exterminator at Quality Affordable Pest Control based in Toronto.

Skunks are good diggers, so it’s a good idea to extend the barriers at least one foot deep, or ideally two feet deep into the ground, Bossel says.

Similarly, get rid of any wood or rock piles and seal off any openings under porches to deter skunks from taking up residence there.

2. Keep Your Trash Secure

Skunks, like other pests, are attracted to food sources, so make sure your trash and compost bins are secure with airtight lids and don't leave food out for animals, Beninato says.

3. Install Lights

Skunks are also sensitive to light since they are nocturnal animals, Bossel says. They prefer dark areas to dig their dens in, so bright lights on the porch or motion-sensing lights, for example, can help deter them.

4. Try a Repellent

If you’ve got a skunk den, you could try to use a mild repellent like kitty litter or castor oil repellent, according to the Humane Society. Capsaicin (which is what makes peppers spicy) is also a repellent, but the Humane Society cautions against using any powerful capsaicin-based hot sauces because they could harm animals that come in contact with them.

If you’ve discovered skunks in your backyard and you want them gone for the safety of your children and pets, it’s probably best to call in a professional to humanely handle the issue. A professional can assess the skunk problem and help come up with a removal and relocation plan.

“It's not worth the risk of physical danger or encounter with potential diseases to handle the situation on your own,” Pearson says.

Plus, you don’t want to take a DIY approach to blocking a den, because the skunk could have their babies in the den.

When you encounter a skunk, it’s best to keep your distance and avoid sudden movements, Bossel says.

Skunks are easily startled, and that’s what usually causes them to spray.

“Skunk spray is a defensive mechanism usually used against predators, so you need to make sure you don’t come across as predatory or threatening to the skunk,” he says. “Back away slowly and don’t run, as they can also perceive that as an attack.”

Before spraying, the skunk usually sends signals like stomping, making angry sounds, and raising their fur, especially around the tail, Bossel says.

If you notice these signs, try your best to de-escalate the situation. Make sure to turn your eyes away just in case the skunk does decide to spray, he says.

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