Have you ever thought to yourself “I wish I knew what skunk poop looked like”? Probably not. However, understanding skunk poop can help you keep your home, pets and family protected.
Skunks are nocturnal creatures and often go undetected for long periods. So, if you suspect you have a skunk living under your porch, beneath your home, or somewhere nearby, it’s a good idea to know what signs to look for before they make your life stink.
How to identify skunks on your property
- That unmistakable smell - Let’s start with the obvious—skunks are famous for their pungent spray. If you’re catching strong, musky odors regularly, especially at night or early morning, there’s a good chance a skunk is nearby. The scent lingers and can travel, but repeated whiffs close to home often mean one is living close.
- Lawn or garden damage - Skunks are diggers. Look for small, shallow holes (about 3–4 inches wide) in your lawn, especially overnight. These are typically signs of a skunk digging for grubs, worms, or insects.
- Tracks and footprints - Skunk tracks show five toes on each foot with visible claws. You might spot them in mud, snow, or dusty areas. Their tracks resemble a small hand or paw and often appear with a shuffling gait.
- Burrows or dens - Skunks like to set up shop under decks, porches, sheds, or even in crawl spaces. You may notice disturbed soil, loose boards, or an entrance hole about 4–6 inches in diameter. They often reuse old burrows from other animals, too.
- Skunk sightings—especially at night - Skunks are nocturnal, so if you’ve spotted one waddling around your yard after dark (especially more than once), it could be living nearby.
- Pet reactions - If your pets are suddenly on edge, barking at the deck, or come inside smelling awful, they may have had a run-in with a skunk. Animals often notice skunks before humans do.
- Skunk droppings - Of course, feces can be a clue. The next time you find droppings on your property, take a moment to see if they have the following characteristics:
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- Dark brown droppings that have a lot of insect parts in them are most likely skunk droppings
- Skunk droppings can also contain large amounts of seeds, fur, berries, grass and feathers.
- These droppings are tubular and tend to disintegrate when prodded with an object.
- Depending on the skunk, these droppings can be ½ to ¼ of an inch in diameter and 1 to 2 inches in length - similar to cat feces.
To spot skunk droppings, look in places where you suspect skunks might be feeding or digging–especially around where you suspect they’ve created a den. To tell if skunk poop is fresh or old here is what to look for: Brighter, black-colored droppings that are moist to the touch are fresh. Older skunk poop is often faded and will crumble or become pulverized. Squishing the droppings with a stick will tell you if it is soft and fresh, or dry and old.
Reasons you do not want skunks living around your home
The most apparent reason you don't want skunks living near your home is the potential of getting sprayed. There is nothing worse than the smell of skunk up close, and if it gets inside your house, it can linger for days and even weeks.
In addition to the foul aroma that permeates everything, skunks are dangerous to be around. They are known carriers of rabies and other pests and diseases that can make us sick. While the likelihood of contracting these diseases is slim, a few to be aware of include:
- Leptospirosis - A bacterial infection spread through skunk urine that can contaminate soil or water, causing flu-like symptoms in humans and pets.
- Canine Distemper - A viral disease skunks can carry that’s highly contagious to unvaccinated dogs, often mistaken for rabies.
- Baylisascaris columnaris (Skunk Roundworm) - A parasite found in skunk feces that can infect pets or people if ingested, potentially causing serious health issues.
- Tularemia ("Rabbit Fever") - A rare bacterial disease skunks may carry; can be transmitted through direct contact or ticks, leading to fever and swollen glands.
- Salmonella - This bacteria can be spread through skunk droppings and may cause gastrointestinal illness in people and pets.
- Giardia and Other Parasites - Protozoan parasites like Giardia can be spread through contaminated water, causing diarrhea and cramps.
- Fleas, Ticks, and Mites - Skunks often carry these parasites, which can transmit diseases like Lyme or cause infestations.
Why do i have a skunk problem?
Like most wildlife, skunks are looking for food, water, and shelter. If your yard offers easy meals—like grubs in the lawn, pet food left outside, fallen fruit from trees, or accessible trash—skunks will take notice. Add a cozy spot under your porch, deck, or shed, and you've got the perfect skunk Airbnb.
They’re especially active in the warmer months and may be drawn to properties with thick shrubbery, wood piles, or uncapped crawl spaces. If you’re seeing signs like small lawn holes, skunk droppings, or catching their scent more often, you may be hosting an uninvited guest.
How to get rid of skunks (without getting sprayed)
At Thomas Pest Services, we offer safe, humane, and professional skunk removal services designed to eliminate your problem—without putting you, your family, or your pets at risk of a stinky surprise.
Our wildlife experts will:
- Assess your property to locate dens or entry points.
- Use humane trapping methods to safely remove skunks from the area.
- Seal off access points to prevent them from returning—because the best solution is one that keeps them gone for good.
We know that DIY skunk removal sounds tempting, but trust us—it’s not worth the risk. Our licensed team is trained to handle wildlife situations with care and precision, so you don’t have to get up close and personal with a nervous skunk.
If you're dealing with unwanted wildlife, don’t go it alone. Visit ThomasPestServices.com/wildlife-removal to learn more about our skunk and wildlife removal options. Give us a call today and get back to enjoying your yard, worry-free.