Why do Skunks Dig Holes?

Skunks will eat almost anything and that includes grubs. Grubs are larvae, especially that of a beetle. Digging for grub is a seasonal event. It occurs during heavy rains and too much watering of the lawn.



During gardening season, skunks will happily share in the eating of your crops regardless of the amount of water.

The skunk will only dig on a lawn a shallow hole, as the grubs are not very deeply located. The circumference of the hole dug by the skunk is typically the size of a skunks nose. Which are only a few inches in diameter.

Skunks will also dig to gain entryway. They will dig the ground up at a weakened portion under a homes foundation to gain access. Not being deep diggers fencing reaching a few inches deep around the foundation of the home can aid in the prevention of gaining access.

Skunks are burrowing pests and will burrow into the ground, a dead log, or piles of leaves to nest. If inside your home their burrowing can create damage to you plumbing and/or wiring.

Skunks are not competent climbers and rely primarily on ground level foods. They have long claws, which are not retractable and very often the foods that they pick up are handled by their claws and present as digging.

There are a number of methods that gardeners and farmers use as prevention from digging skunks. One of the highest recommended ways is the use of light. Because skunks are nocturnal light will generally chase them away or keep them at bay. Other methods are the use of citrus fruit skins strewn around your lawn or predator urine. Ammonia soaked rags placed throughout the yard has even been suggested.

If you are protecting a small garden the use of fencing may be helpful. Again they are not climbers and they only dig to a small depth. Make sure your fencing goes under the ground a few inches.

Applying chicken wire around the foundation of the house or an outside shed can prevent a skunk from digging the weaker points of the structure to get in.

Digging can be prevented and short term. Remember for grubs it is during a rainy period and for the foundation or under the porch you may find that the digging will occur closer to the winter prior to hibernation. More excessive digging can occur during reproduction season for the skunk.

In general the above-mentioned preventative measures can be applied to other pests. The steps that you take of a preventative nature will limit the damage that you will incur. Protect yourself and your lawn and garden by finding what steps you can take to prevent digging on your property by skunks.

Go back to the How to get rid of skunks home page.

Need skunk removal in your hometown? We service over 500 USA locations! Click here to hire us in your town and check prices - updated for year 2020.