How to Remove Skunks Under a Porch
- 1). Wait for the skunks to venture out from under your porch. Skunks are nocturnal and thus will leave at night. Then, build an exclusion barrier. The exclusion barrier can be made from just about anything, such as wire mesh, steel, or wood.
- 2). Trap the skunks using a live trap. There are several types of live skunk traps available, but most are long tubes or boxes that can be placed under or near your porch. When choosing a skunk trap, keep in mind that you want a trap that prevents skunks from spraying you. This means the trap is covered, as the dark keeps the skunk calm and less likely to spray. It also should be narrow, roughly 6 inches in diameter, to prevent a skunk from physically being able to raise its tail). Once the skunk enters the trap, the trap closes automatically. To lure the skunk into the trap, place bacon, fish, cat food, peanut butter, or any other strongly scented food inside the trap.
- 3). Relocate the skunks at least 10 miles away from your home to prevent the skunk from returning. Note that relocating skunks is illegal in some states, and requires a permit in some others. Contact your local animal control organization or office to determine if there are restrictions in your area.
- 4). Shoot the skunks. Some skunks carry rabies, thus you might be more comfortable shooting them. To do this, use a .22 caliber rifle and shoot the skunks where they will be killed instantly, such as to the heart, brain or spine. Note that it is illegal to shoot skunks in some states, and the discharge of firearms is prohibited in some municipalities, so contact your local animal control organization before doing so.
