A skunk under deck boards in Toronto during winter is usually denned up for the cold and will stay until spring. You may notice a faint smell near the foundation, fresh soil by the deck, or a small hole you did not see in the fall. The best time to deal with it is before February, when mating season starts and dens fill up with young. This guide covers the signs, what to avoid, and how humane removal works.
Where Skunks Go in Winter
Skunks do not truly hibernate. They slow down in winter and tend to share a den with a few other adults to stay warm. In fall they eat heavily to build fat reserves, then look for a dark, secure place to wait out the cold.
Your yard has plenty of those places. Decks, porches, sheds, and concrete slabs are common winter dens. Buildings without a solid foundation are especially easy for skunks to move under. A skunk that dens under a structure in fall may stay all winter.
They do come out occasionally. On mild winter nights they leave the den to look for food, then return. That is why you might see tracks or smell something on a warm January evening.
Signs of a Skunk Under Your Deck
The clues are usually small. Homeowners tend to notice small holes in the lawn, fresh soil at the edge of a deck or shed, or a skunk smell near the foundation. One source reports that skunks can squeeze under decks through gaps as small as 4 to 6 inches around the perimeter. That is roughly 10 to 15 centimetres.
Check the base of your deck, porch steps, and shed for a dug out opening with loose dirt around it. Walk the perimeter during the day so you do not disturb the animal at night.
Why February Is the Month to Watch
Winter calm ends in late winter. Mating happens in late February and early March, when males leave their dens to look for females. That is why a skunk smell in February is almost always mating season rather than a skunk waking up early.
Spring brings kits. Skunks typically have their young around May. Mothers choose protected spots for dens, and the space under a deck or porch is a common choice. Once young are present, removal has to account for the whole family so kits are not separated or trapped inside. A spring den under your deck holds a mother and blind, dependent kits.
That is the practical reason to act in winter. A den with one or two adults is much simpler to resolve than one with a litter.
Can a Skunk Spray in Winter?
Yes. A skunk disturbed in its den, or a male roaming in February, can spray just as it would in summer. One wildlife source adds that evicting a skunk during deep winter dormancy raises the spray risk and stresses the animal. Treat any winter den as occupied and leave the animal alone.
What Not to Do
Do not block the opening to see if the skunk leaves. Sealing an entrance without confirming the den is empty can trap the animal inside. With kits, that can mean decomposition inside the space within days.
Do not count on loud music or household products. Common deterrents do not work well once skunks have settled under a property, especially if young are present.
Do not plan to trap and drive it far away. Ontario does not allow relocating skunks more than one kilometre from where they were caught. Always check provincial and municipal rules before handling wildlife.
Five Simple Steps
- Confirm it is a skunk den. Look for the hole, loose soil, and the smell. Professionals start by confirming where the skunk is denning.
- Keep pets and kids away from the deck. Let dogs out on a leash at night and check the yard before they go out.
- Leave the entrance open. Do not fill, block, or stuff anything into the hole.
- Use a one way door. A one way door lets the skunk leave safely. It goes on only after the den is confirmed empty. Once the skunk is out, it cannot get back in.
- Close the gap for good. Buried screening and sealing keep skunks from coming back.
Why the Fix Involves Digging
Skunks dig well, so a patch at ground level is not enough. One wildlife company digs a trench around the entire deck, porch, or shed and buries metal to block the skunk from digging back in. Without that, a determined skunk can simply tunnel past the repair.
How Saba Pest Control Can Help
Saba Pest Control handles skunk removal and wildlife exclusion across Toronto and the GTA. A technician confirms the den, installs a one way door, and closes the gap once the animal has left. You can read more about our rodent and wildlife control services.
Our North York team is nearby, and we cover the rest of the GTA as well. We are available 24 hours a day with a 30 minute arrival time. Call (647) 867-7383 or visit sabapc.ca to book an inspection before February.
Do skunks hibernate?
Not fully. They are less active in winter and den in groups, but they do not hibernate. They may wake and wander on mild nights.
Why do I smell skunk in February?
February and March are mating season, when males roam and spray more often. The smell does not always mean a den under your deck, but it is a good reason to check.
How long will a skunk stay under my deck?
A skunk that dens under a structure in fall can remain through the winter. If it is a female, she may stay on to raise kits in spring.
Can I trap and move a skunk myself?
Ontario limits relocation to one kilometre. A one way door and proper sealing is the safer way to resolve a den, and a licensed wildlife technician can do it without handling the animal.
