Wildlife & birds
Skunk removal in Salt Lake City, UT
That smell at night, a burrow under the porch, a dog that got sprayed. Skunks move under decks and sheds looking for a quiet den, and getting them out without a spray takes care.
Most active
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Quick answer
Skunk removal in Salt Lake City focuses on the dens skunks make under porches, decks, sheds and crawlspace openings. We confirm the den, remove the skunk carefully to avoid spraying, check for young in spring and early summer, then install an L-shaped buried wire barrier so they can't dig back under. Skunks are considered high risk for rabies in Utah, so contact is best avoided.
At a glance
- Best for
- Skunks under porches, decks, sheds and crawlspaces
- Most active
- Night, spring through fall
- Method
- Careful trapping and removal, then dig-proof barriers
- Key step
- Checking for young before sealing
Warning signs
Signs of skunks
Sign 01
A strong musky odor at night
The smell near a porch or shed often means a den nearby.
Sign 02
Burrows under porches and decks
Holes or gaps with loose soil at the edge of a slab or deck.
Sign 03
Small holes in the lawn
Shallow cone-shaped holes where skunks dug for grubs.
Sign 04
A pet that got sprayed
Dogs meeting skunks at night is often the first sign.
Sign 05
A skunk acting oddly by day
Unusual daytime behavior can be a sign of illness.
Overview
Getting skunks out without a spray
Skunks don't dig into houses so much as move into the spaces under them: porches, decks, sheds, stoops and gaps into crawlspaces. They're most active at night and dig shallow holes in lawns hunting for grubs.
Removing a skunk without being sprayed takes patience and the right equipment. We confirm which opening is in use, remove the skunk carefully and check for young in spring and early summer, when mothers are raising kits.
The long-term fix is a dig-proof barrier: wire mesh buried in an L-shape along the base of the porch, deck or shed so skunks can't tunnel back under.
How the visit goes
How skunk removal goes
Confirm the den
Find the opening in use and check for young.
Remove carefully
Trapping and removal designed to avoid spraying.
Check it's empty
Make sure no skunks or kits remain.
Install a barrier
Buried L-shaped wire mesh along the base.
Deal with odor
Advice on odor and treatment if spraying happened.
What it covers
Skunk work we do
Skunks under porches and decks
Dens under porches, decks and stoops cleared and sealed.
Trapping and removal
Careful trapping and removal following Utah wildlife rules.
Dig-proof barriers
Buried L-shaped wire mesh so skunks can't tunnel back under.
Salt Lake conditions
Skunks and rabies in Utah
Utah agriculture officials consider skunks, along with raccoons, foxes and coyotes, high risk for carrying rabies, and they note that rabid wild animals may act unusually tame. A skunk wandering in daylight, stumbling or approaching people should be left alone. Keeping dogs and cats vaccinated matters too, since pets are usually the ones that meet skunks under the porch at night, and a sprayed pet may also have been bitten.
If your pet tangles with a skunk, check for bites and call your vet, especially if the skunk acted strangely.
Sources: deseret.com
Timing
How long skunk removal takes
- First visitDen confirmed and traps set.
- A few daysSkunks removed; young checked for.
- BarrierWire mesh installed once the den is empty.
- AfterLawn digging stops once grubs and skunks are handled.
Your options
Skunk control options
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Trapping and removal | Skunks denning under structures | Takes care to avoid spraying |
| Dig-proof barrier | Porches, decks and sheds | Installed after the den is empty |
| Grub control in lawns | Skunks digging in turf | Reduces the food that draws them |
| Removing attractants | Pet food and trash | Changes on your side |
Do it yourself?
What you can do
What you can do today
- Keep pets inside at night when skunks are active.
- Feed pets indoors and secure trash.
- Keep pets up to date on rabies shots.
- Close off gaps under sheds once they're empty.
What to leave alone
- Approaching or cornering a skunk.
- Sealing a den while skunks or kits are inside.
- Leaving pet food or bird seed out overnight.
- Handling a skunk that's acting sick.
Before we arrive
Before we arrive
- Keep pets and kids away from the den area.
- Note where you've smelled or seen skunks.
- Point out burrows and gaps under structures.
- Bring in pet food and secure trash.
- Unlock gates to the yard.
- Tell us if your pet was sprayed or bitten.
- Tell us if you've seen young skunks.
- Leave the den opening as it is.
Wildlife work is mostly exclusion hardware and trapping; product lines like these cover the rodents and insects that follow.
- Protecta
- Contrac
- Temprid
- Tempo
Cost
What skunk removal costs
Priced by the den location and the barrier length.
Den location
Under a small stoop is simpler than under a large deck.
Young present
Spring and early summer dens need extra care.
Trap checks
Checks until skunks are removed.
Barrier length
Linear feet of buried mesh around the structure.
Odor treatment
Treating spray odor is separate.
Dig-proof, once and for all
A buried wire barrier along the base of the porch or shed keeps skunks from moving back in.
Call (801) 516-0135Buried L-shaped mesh stops skunks digging under structures.
FAQ
Skunk removal questions from Salt Lake homeowners
Still unsure? (801) 516-0135 is answered around the clock.
With patience and the right equipment, moving slowly and keeping the skunk calm.
They're high risk for rabies in Utah and will spray when threatened. Keep away and call.
Porches, decks and sheds make quiet, dry dens, especially in spring when they have young.
Odor-neutralizing products work better than tomato juice. We can treat heavily affected areas.
We check for kits before sealing so none are left behind.
Skunks dig for grubs. Treating grubs reduces the digging.
Wash the dog with an odor-neutralizing mix, check for bites and call your vet if you see any.
Related services
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From the Pest Library: What pest control costs in Salt Lake City
Talk to us
Skunk under the porch?
Call now to have it removed and the den sealed. A real person answers any hour.
Homes, rentals and businesses across Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Box Elder, Morgan, Tooele and Utah counties.
