You walk outside on a Saturday morning, coffee in hand, and your lawn looks like someone took a shovel to it overnight. No shovel marks though — just a dozen small, shallow holes scattered across the grass. That’s usually the first clue a skunk has moved into the neighborhood.
TL;DR: Skunks damage property mainly through digging — cone-shaped holes in lawns while hunting grubs, and burrows under decks, sheds, and porches. Left alone, this digging weakens structures and tears up landscaping fast. Catching the signs early and calling a licensed skunk removal team saves you money and avoids run-ins with an animal that can spray or carry rabies.
Most homeowners don’t realize they have a skunk problem until the damage is already done. The holes show up first. The smell comes later. By the time you hear scratching under the porch at night, the skunk has likely been there for weeks.
What Skunk Damage Actually Looks Like
Skunk damage to property rarely announces itself with drama. It builds quietly, one dug-up patch of grass at a time.
Skunks are diggers by nature. They spend their nights pushing through soil, mulch, and turf looking for grubs, worms, and insect larvae — their preferred food source. A single skunk can turn a tidy backyard into a patchy mess within a few nights.
Beyond the yard, skunks look for dark, enclosed spaces to den. Decks, sheds, porches, and crawl spaces are ideal. Once a skunk settles in under a structure, it keeps digging to expand its burrow, and that’s where real skunk damage to landscaping turns into something more expensive.
Why Skunks Target Your Yard in the First Place
Skunks aren’t picky. They go wherever the food and shelter are easiest to find.
A lawn with a grub problem is basically a buffet. Skunks smell the larvae under the surface and dig straight down to reach them. If your grass has been thinning or dying in patches already, it’s likely attracting insects, and that’s attracting skunks too.
Open gaps under decks, loose skirting around sheds, or unsealed vents near the foundation give skunks an easy way in. Once they find a spot that’s quiet and undisturbed, they stay.
Signs of Skunk Damage You Shouldn’t Ignore
Catching skunk activity early makes skunk removal faster and cheaper. Here’s what to watch for:
Small, cone-shaped holes in the lawn. Usually 3 to 4 inches wide, scattered in clusters rather than spread evenly.
Torn-up mulch or flower beds. Skunks flip mulch looking for grubs and can uproot small plants in the process.
Burrow entrances near decks or sheds. A fresh hole at the base of a structure, sometimes with loose dirt piled nearby.
A musky odor, even without a visible spray incident. Skunks release small amounts of scent just from moving around their den.
Scratching or shuffling sounds at night. Skunks are nocturnal, so activity peaks after dark.
If you’re noticing two or more of these, it’s worth getting the property checked before the damage spreads.
Skunk Damage to Landscaping vs. Structural Damage
It helps to separate the two, because they call for different levels of urgency.
Landscaping damage is the lawn holes, the torn mulch, the dug-up garden beds. It’s frustrating and it costs money to fix, but it’s mostly cosmetic. Reseeding a lawn or replacing mulch is a weekend project.
Structural damage is different. When a skunk burrows under a deck or shed, it removes soil that was supporting the structure. Over months, this can cause sagging, shifting, or gaps that let in other pests. Foundations with loose or damaged skirting are especially at risk, since the burrow can extend closer to the home than most people expect.
If you’re seeing burrow activity near any structure on your property, don’t wait on that one. Structural repairs are far more expensive than a lawn patch job.
Skunk Damage Prevention: What Actually Works
Prevention comes down to removing what attracts skunks and closing off what lets them in.
Treat grub problems in your lawn. Grubs are the main food source drawing skunks in. A lawn care service or grub treatment removes the incentive to dig.
Seal gaps under decks and sheds. Wire mesh buried a foot into the ground around the perimeter stops skunks from digging under. Loose skirting should be secured or replaced.
Secure garbage and compost. Skunks are opportunistic eaters. Tight-fitting lids on bins go a long way.
Clear brush piles and dense ground cover near the house. These make convenient den spots. Keeping vegetation trimmed back removes the appeal.
Install motion-activated lights near vulnerable areas. Skunks avoid bright, sudden light and tend to move on to a quieter yard.
None of these steps require special tools. They just need to be done before the skunk settles in, not after.
Why DIY Skunk Removal Backfires
It’s tempting to handle a skunk yourself, especially if it seems like just one animal digging a few holes. It rarely stays that simple.
Skunks spray when they feel cornered or threatened, and a startled skunk near a deck or crawl space has limited room to retreat. That’s when spray incidents happen, and the smell can linger on a property for weeks. Skunks can also carry rabies and other diseases, which makes direct contact a real health risk for you and your pets.
There’s also the issue of doing it properly. Trapping without sealing the entry point just means a new skunk moves in later. Professional skunk removal handles both the animal and the access points, so the problem doesn’t repeat itself.
What Professional Skunk Removal Involves
A proper skunk control visit starts with an inspection, not a trap.
Our team walks the property to find active burrows, entry points, and any structural damage already in progress. From there, we use safe, humane trapping and relocation methods, no harm to the animal, no unnecessary risk to your family or pets.
Once the skunk is gone, we seal the entry points it was using, whether that’s a gap under a deck, a loose vent, or a burrow near the foundation. That step is what actually prevents repeat visits. We serve homes and businesses across Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto, and the greater Ottawa area, with same-day service available in most locations.
FAQ
How do I know if it’s a skunk and not another animal digging in my yard?
Skunk holes are small and cone-shaped, usually 3 to 4 inches across, and appear in clusters where grubs are concentrated. Raccoons tend to leave larger, more irregular patches, and squirrels dig shallow single holes for buried nuts. If you’re also noticing a faint musky smell, skunks are the likely cause.
Will a skunk under my deck cause real damage, or is it just a nuisance?
It can cause real damage. The digging removes soil that supports the structure, and over time this can lead to shifting or sagging. It’s worth addressing before the burrow expands.
Can I use home remedies to get rid of a skunk on my own?
We don’t recommend it. Skunks spray when startled, and DIY methods often push them into hiding deeper under a structure rather than out of it. They also carry disease risks that make hands-on removal a job for trained professionals.
How much does skunk damage prevention cost compared to repairs after the fact?
Prevention, sealing entry points and treating lawn grubs, typically costs far less than repairing a damaged deck foundation or reseeding a torn-up lawn. Addressing signs early is almost always the cheaper route.
How fast can you respond if I think I have a skunk problem?
We offer same-day or next-day service in most areas we cover. Call us at +1 (437) 329-4500 to get a technician out quickly, especially if the skunk is denning near a structure.
Get Your Property Skunk-Free Before the Damage Spreads
Skunk damage rarely stays small. What starts as a few holes in the lawn can turn into a burrow under your deck within weeks. If you’re seeing any of the signs above, contact us for a free inspection, or call +1 (437) 329-4500 to schedule same-day service. Our licensed team handles the removal and the prevention work, so you’re not dealing with the same skunk twice.
