Raccoon Damage vs. Skunk Damage — How to Tell What Is Under Your Deck
Your lawn has been torn up overnight. Something dug holes near the foundation. There are scratching sounds coming from under the deck at dusk.
Is it a raccoon or a skunk? The answer determines the removal approach, the cost, and the urgency.
Here is how to tell — without seeing the animal.
The Damage Tells the Story
Lawn Damage
Raccoon: Pulls up large sections of sod in patches, sometimes rolling the turf back like a carpet. They are digging for grubs (beetle larvae) in the soil. The damage looks deliberate and extensive — they will tear up a significant area in one night. Skunk: Digs small, cone-shaped holes in the lawn, about 5-8cm deep and 5-8cm wide. Dozens of small holes scattered across the lawn, not large torn patches. Also digging for grubs, but their technique is different — they poke individual holes rather than tearing turf. Quick ID: Big torn patches = raccoon. Many small holes = skunk.Deck/Porch Entry
Raccoon: Creates a large entry point — often pulling apart lattice panels, bending aluminum screening, or forcing through soft soil. The opening is usually 15-20cm wide. Raccoon entry points look forceful. Skunk: Digs a burrow entrance — a tunnel-like hole in the soil, usually at a corner or low point of the deck perimeter. The opening is 10-15cm wide and goes directly into the ground at an angle. Skunk entries look excavated, not forced.Droppings
Raccoon: Large — similar in size to small dog feces. Often found in a concentrated "latrine" area (raccoons designate a specific spot for defecation). Located on flat surfaces — decks, rocks, woodpiles, roof edges. Skunk: Smaller — about 2-3cm long, often containing insect parts (exoskeletons) visible in the stool. Scattered near the den entrance, not in a concentrated latrine.Noise
Raccoon: Heavy thumping, vocal chittering, and scratching. You can hear them walking — they sound like a small person. Most active from dusk through the night. Skunk: Quiet. You may hear light scratching or digging, but skunks are much less vocal than raccoons. If you did not smell the musk, you might not know a skunk was there.Smell
Raccoon: No distinctive odor unless a latrine has accumulated over time. Skunk: If you have ever smelled skunk musk, this is the obvious giveaway. Even without spraying, skunks emit a faint musky odor near their den entrance. If the smell is strong, the skunk has sprayed recently — possibly to warn off a predator or another animal.Why It Matters for Removal
Raccoon Removal
- Higher urgency — raccoons cause more structural damage (tearing soffits, ripping insulation, chewing wires)
- Baby season: April-June. Babies cannot be separated from the mother.
- One-way door exclusion is the standard method
- Cost: $350-$900 depending on complexity
- Raccoon latrines are a health hazard (raccoon roundworm) and require careful cleanup
Skunk Removal
- Lower structural damage risk — skunks dig but rarely damage building components
- Baby season: May-July. Same concern — babies cannot survive without the mother.
- One-way door exclusion works, but timing is critical to avoid spraying
- Cost: $250-$500
- Spray risk during removal — experienced operators know how to minimize this
- Skunk dens can be tolerated temporarily outside baby season (they often move on voluntarily)
Can You Have Both?
Unlikely in the same space. Raccoons are dominant over skunks — a raccoon will displace a skunk from a shared space. However, you can have a raccoon under the front deck and a skunk under the back shed. Same property, different animals, different entry points.
If you had skunks last year and now have raccoon-style damage — the raccoon likely evicted the skunk.
Prevention After Removal
Regardless of which animal was under your deck, the prevention is the same:
- Install galvanized hardware cloth (16-gauge) around the entire deck perimeter
- Bury the mesh 30cm deep and bend it outward in an L-shape to prevent digging under
- Secure garbage bins with locking lids
- Remove fallen fruit and pet food from the yard
- Install motion-activated lights near the deck and vulnerable areas
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just wait for the animal to leave on its own?
Outside of baby season (July-February for both species), yes — especially for skunks. They sometimes use a den temporarily and move on within days or weeks. If the animal is not causing damage and not spraying, patience is a legitimate strategy. During baby season, waiting is actually necessary — removing the mother orphans the babies.Is a skunk or raccoon more likely to have rabies?
Both species are considered rabies vectors in Canada. However, raccoon-variant rabies is more common in eastern North America. Never approach either animal if it appears sick, disoriented, or unusually aggressive. Call 311 or animal control.Got a pest problem?
Extermination DMP serves Montreal, the South Shore, Laval & the West Island — 24/7.
Call 438-879-5706