Skunks are one of the few creatures homeowners dread seeing on their property. As long as the animal is living near the home, there's a risk that you or a pet may be hit by their noxious spray.

Fortunately, skunks aren't aggressive animals. But you may still want to take steps to make your property less attractive to them, or to remove any skunk families that have made their home nearby.

Skunk behavior

Skunks are nocturnal creatures, so you're only likely to see them at dusk or during the night. The Humane Society of the United States says you may spot them foraging for food in the yard or notice a faint musky smell under a building or near a woodpile, which may indicate that a skunk has taken up residence there.

The diet of a skunk is quite diverse. The Fund for Animals says that in addition to grubs and insects, skunks dine on frogs and mice. The Old Farmer's Almanac says they can also feast on leaves, garbage, fruits, and berries.

This habit can sometimes make skunks a nuisance in the garden, but they are only likely to go after plants that are low to the ground. For example, they may eat ears of corn that are within reach.

One of the most obvious signs that a skunk is roaming your yard is the presence of small holes that are three or four inches deep. A skunk will produce these pits while digging for grubs, and may leave behind five-toed tracks.

Skunks are extremely near-sighted. The Fund for Animals says that because of their poor eyesight, they may wander up to people or accidentally fall into window wells or swimming pools.

When raising their young, skunks typically look for cozy cavities. The area underneath a deck is a prime habitat for a skunk, along with the cavities under sheds or other outbuildings.

The skunk's infamous spray is a defense mechanism, so you're unlikely to be hit by it if you don't act aggressively. An alarmed skunk will also warn off potential predators by stamping their front feet, giving you an opportunity to back off if you accidentally startle the animal. The Old Farmer's Almanac says it's helpful to always have a flashlight when walking around your property at night, as this will prevent you from accidentally frightening a skunk.

Some homeowners find skunks to be more of a benefit than an annoyance. Their eating habits help keep mice from entering your home, and will also ward off garden pests such as cutworms and Japanese beetles. The Fund for Animals says skunks are also nomadic, and will readily leave your property once their young are old enough.

However, skunks can also be harmful to people and pets if they are carrying rabies. While the animals are nocturnal by nature, The Humane Society of the United States says a skunk spotted during the daytime isn't necessarily rabid. It may simply be getting an early start on finding food for itself or its young. You should contact an animal control officer or wildlife rehabilitator if the skunk is showing signs of the rabies virus, including limb paralysis, disorientation, wandering around in circles, or aggressiveness.

Prevention

Certain factors will make your property more attractive to skunks. Meagan Francis, writing for HGTV, says the animals are attracted by food sources such as garbage containers, pet food, bird feeders, and open compost piles.

Removing or securing these food sources will keep skunks from enjoying a free meal. Terri Williams, writing for Realtor.com, says trash bags should be tied up and garbage containers should have their lids securely fastened. If you feed your pets outside, only give them enough food for one sitting and remove any food and water dishes once they're done.

Since skunks love to dig up grubs, it's helpful to get these larvae out of your lawn. The Old Farmer's Almanac says you can treat your lawn and garden with milky spore disease or beneficial nematodes to deprive skunks of a food source.

A low fence is helpful for keeping skunks away from your garden crops. Francis says you should bury several inches of the fence, spread a wire barrier on the ground, or sprinkle chili powder around the perimeter to dissuade the animals from trying to dig under the barrier.

Seal off potential skunk habitats. The Humane Society of the United States says you can check to see if a den is inhabited by filling it with loose debris such as soil, leaves, or crumpled paper. A skunk will push its way through this material if it is present, but the barrier will remain undisturbed for two or three days if the den is unoccupied.

You can wall off potential habitats more permanently with L-shaped wire barriers, which both seal off openings and prevent animals from digging below the barrier. You can also exclude skunks by setting up a barrier with a one-way door, allowing them to leave but not return. Don't exclude a skunk when its young are present, as they will starve without their mother.

Repellents

Some methods will actively repel a skunk from considering a site for a habitat. If a skunk has already made its home on your property, you can also take steps to evict it.

Skunks aren't fond of bright lights. Francis says that by setting up a motion activated light to illuminate potential skunk habitats, you can repel skunks or convince any animals near your home to move on.

Ironically enough, skunks are sensitive to several different odors and will be repelled if they encounter them around your home. The Old Farmer's Almanac says some options include a mixture or castor oil and dish detergent, predator urine, the peels of citrus fruits, ammonia-soaked rags, and strong-smelling bar soaps.

Avoid stronger repellents, such as those that use capsaicin. The Humane Society of the United States says these repellents can inadvertently harm pets or people who come in contact with them.

Trapped skunks

Due to their poor eyesight, skunks can sometimes wander into places and become trapped. Skunks that have found themselves in a garage are easy to free. Simply open the door at dusk and close it again when you've confirmed that the skunk has left.

Window wells also act as an inadvertent trap for skunks. Since they are poor climbers, skunks that fall into a well won't be able to make their way out again.

You can sometimes get a skunk out of a window well or other pit by simply placing a rough board or other item with sufficient traction into the depression. This will let the skunk climb out on their own, but the angle of the board should be no steeper than 45 degrees.

Alternatively, you can bait the skunk using a piece of smelly cheese in an animal carrier, garbage can, or other container. Lower this container into the well, then tilt it slightly upward when the skunk enters. Carefully raise it straight up out of the well, then place it on the ground to let the skunk exit.

If you have a pet door, skunks may enter your home. This is particularly true if you keep pet food accessible nearby. The Fund for Animals says you can try to isolate the skunk in one room, then set up boards, screens, or other barriers to lead it back outside. Make sure to lock pet doors at night or use a variety that only opens when activated by a pet's collar.

Skunks that have fallen into a swimming pool should be propped up using a skimmer or broom. The animal may need to take some time to recover, since they can get exhausted from treading water. You can then gently guide the skunk to the edge to help them out.

If you aren't comfortable trying to remove a skunk on your own, contact an animal control officer, wildlife rehabilitator, or pest control service.