Skunk Under Your Deck? What Montreal Homeowners Need to Know
You walk outside and the air hits you. That unmistakable, eye-watering skunk musk. And it is not from a passing skunk on the road — it is coming from under your deck.
Congratulations. You have a tenant who pays no rent and has a chemical weapon.
Why Skunks Choose Your Deck
Skunks den under structures that provide overhead cover with easy ground-level access. In Montreal, this means:
- Raised wooden decks without perimeter screening
- Porches with lattice skirting (skunks push right through it)
- Garden sheds with gaps at ground level
- Concrete stoops with eroded soil underneath
- Hot tub platforms
When to Worry — and When to Wait
Spring (March – May): Baby Season
If a skunk is under your deck between March and May, there is a strong chance she has babies. Baby skunks cannot leave the den for the first 6-8 weeks. Attempting to remove the mother during this period means orphaning the babies, which will die under your deck — creating an odor problem that makes skunk spray seem pleasant by comparison. Best approach in spring: Wait until late June when babies are mobile, then proceed with exclusion.Summer – Fall: Transient Use
Outside of baby season, skunks may use your deck as a temporary rest stop. They often move on within a few days if not disturbed. If the skunk is not spraying, not causing damage, and not showing signs of illness — patience may be the simplest solution.Signs of a Problem Skunk
- Spraying near the den entrance repeatedly (agitation, possibly protecting young)
- Digging up your lawn extensively (feeding on grubs)
- Aggressive behavior when encountered (unusual — could indicate rabies)
- Visible illness — wobbling, circling, active during full daylight without fear
The Removal Process
Step 1: Confirm the Den
Place a piece of balled-up newspaper in the suspected entry point. Check it 24 hours later. If the newspaper is pushed aside, something is using the space. You can also sprinkle flour around the entry and check for tracks — skunk prints have five toes with visible claw marks.Step 2: Gentle Harassment (If No Babies)
Outside of baby season, you can encourage a skunk to leave voluntarily:- Place a radio near the den entrance playing talk radio (not music — human voices are more disturbing to wildlife)
- Soak rags in apple cider vinegar and place them near the entrance
- Install a motion-activated light aimed at the den entry
- These methods work best when combined and maintained for 3-5 nights
Step 3: One-Way Door (Professional)
If gentle methods do not work, a wildlife control professional installs a one-way exclusion device at the den entrance. The skunk leaves to forage at night and cannot re-enter. After confirming the skunk has left (3-5 days of monitoring), the one-way door is removed and the entry point is permanently sealed.Step 4: Permanent Exclusion
The deck perimeter is screened with galvanized hardware cloth (16-gauge minimum), buried 30cm into the ground and bent outward in an L-shape. This prevents skunks — and other wildlife — from digging back under the deck.If You Get Sprayed
Skunk spray contains thiols — sulfur-based compounds that bind to proteins in your skin and clothing. Regular soap and water barely touch it.
The proven formula (not tomato juice — that is a myth):
- 1 quart (1L) 3% hydrogen peroxide
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
For sprayed pets, use the same formula. Avoid eyes — flush with clean water if contact occurs.
For your deck or exterior walls: Wash with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water). The smell dissipates over 2-3 weeks outdoors. Indoors, it can linger for months without treatment.Costs for Skunk Removal in Montreal
| Service | Typical Cost | |---|---| | Assessment and one-way door | $250-$500 | | Deck exclusion screening | $300-$800 depending on deck size | | Baby skunk reunion (spring) | Additional $100-$200 | | Odor remediation (if sprayed) | $100-$300 for exterior treatment |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trap and relocate a skunk myself?
In Quebec, trapping and relocating wildlife is regulated. Additionally, trapping a skunk carries a very high risk of being sprayed. Licensed wildlife control operators have the experience and equipment to handle skunks safely. This is one situation where professional help is strongly recommended.Do skunks carry rabies in Quebec?
Skunks are one of the primary rabies vector species in North America. Quebec has had rabies cases in skunks, though they are not common in the Montreal area. Never approach a skunk that appears sick, disoriented, or unusually aggressive. Call 311 or your local animal control.Got a pest problem?
Extermination DMP serves Montreal, the South Shore, Laval & the West Island — 24/7.
Call 438-879-5706