Why You May Notice More Skunks in October
California is home to two native skunk species: striped skunks and spotted skunks. According to the University of California's Integrated Pest Management Program, striped skunks are the species most commonly found around homes.
Skunks remain active year-round, but several seasonal factors can influence where homeowners encounter them.
Young Skunks Are Living Independently
Striped skunks generally breed in late winter, with their young born in spring. El Dorado County wildlife guidance notes that young skunks typically begin dispersing by mid-to-late summer.
By October, many of these younger animals are living independently and looking for food and shelter. Their movements can bring them into residential yards and other places where homeowners haven't noticed skunks before.
This doesn't necessarily mean there are more skunks in your neighborhood. Some may simply be exploring areas they haven't used previously.
Fall Grubs Attract Skunks to Lawns
One of the clearest connections between fall and skunk activity in California involves white grubs.
The University of California's Integrated Pest Management Program identifies late summer and autumn as common times for wildlife to damage California lawns while digging for beetle larvae.
Skunks feed on these grubs and other insects found beneath the soil. A lawn with plenty of available insects can attract skunks searching for an easy meal.
Skunks Find Shelter Under Decks and Sheds
Skunks don't hibernate in California, although they may spend more time in sheltered dens during colder winter weather. They also use decks, porches, sheds, and spaces beneath buildings throughout the year.
Finding a skunk beneath a structure in October doesn't necessarily mean it's preparing for winter. The area may simply provide a protected place to rest.
Are Skunks Digging Holes in Your Lawn?
If you're finding small holes scattered across your lawn, skunks could be responsible.
Skunks use their claws and snouts to dig for insects, leaving distinctive damage that can include:
- Small, cone-shaped holes approximately 3 to 5 inches across
- Areas where grass and soil have been disturbed overnight
- Sections of sod that have been loosened or rolled back
Not all lawn digging comes from skunks. Raccoons and other wildlife can cause similar damage, so identifying the animal is important before deciding how to address it.
A few holes don't necessarily indicate a major problem. However, repeated digging can leave lawns damaged, especially when skunks return to the same areas to feed.
The insects attracting them may also need attention, but treating a lawn for grubs without confirming their presence isn't always necessary.
What If a Skunk Is Living Under Your Deck or Shed?
A skunk passing through the backyard is different from one using your property as a den.
Low decks, porches, sheds, and crawl spaces offer protected areas where skunks can shelter during the day.
You might notice disturbed soil near the base of a structure, an opening that appears to have been used by an animal, or a skunk repeatedly entering the same area.
An occasional skunk odor doesn't prove an animal is living beneath your home. However, repeated sightings or activity around a specific opening deserve closer attention.
Don't seal an opening if you suspect a skunk is still underneath the structure. Blocking its exit can trap the animal inside, making the situation more difficult to resolve.
A professional wildlife inspection can help determine whether the space is occupied and what steps are appropriate.
When Should You Call for Professional Skunk Control?
Not every skunk sighting requires removal. Skunks are naturally present in California neighborhoods and generally avoid people when given the opportunity.
Professional help becomes more appropriate when:
- Lawn damage continues: Fresh digging appears repeatedly, and you suspect skunks are returning to feed.
- A skunk is using a structure for shelter: You've noticed repeated activity beneath a deck, porch, shed, or home.
- Pets are encountering skunks: A dog has been sprayed, or skunks regularly enter areas your pets use.
- You're unsure how to keep a skunk out safely: An animal appears to be living beneath a structure, and you need help determining when and how entrances can be secured.
An inspection can help establish whether a skunk is responsible and whether removal, exclusion, or another approach is appropriate.
What Should You Avoid Doing Around a Skunk?
Skunks generally prefer to escape rather than confront people, but they can spray when startled, threatened, or cornered.
If you encounter one, keep your distance and give it room to leave. Bring pets indoors when you can do so safely, and don't attempt to chase, corner, or handle the animal.
Although skunk spray itself does not transmit rabies, bites and contact with saliva from an infected animal can pose a serious health risk.
The California Department of Public Health identifies bats and skunks as the animals most frequently found with rabies in California. That doesn't mean a skunk in your yard has rabies, but it is an important reason to avoid direct contact.
Seeing a striped skunk during daylight hours also doesn't automatically mean it's sick. California wildlife guidance confirms that striped skunks sometimes forage during the day.
If a skunk appears unusually aggressive, disoriented, or unable to move normally, stay away and contact local animal control. If someone is bitten, contact a healthcare provider immediately. A pet that has been bitten should be evaluated promptly by a veterinarian.
How Big Time Pest Control Can Help With Skunk Problems
When skunks are damaging your property or using a structure for shelter, Big Time Pest Control can help determine the appropriate next steps in areas where skunk services are available.
Our professional wildlife control services begin with an inspection to evaluate the activity and identify potential entry points.
If skunks are causing problems around your deck, shed, or home, we can determine the best way to address the situation. Depending on what we find, that may involve professional trapping or, when a skunk is living beneath a structure, a one-way door that allows it to leave without getting back in. Once the space is clear, we can secure the opening to help prevent another skunk from moving in.
California prohibits relocating trapped skunks without written permission from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Professional skunk removal must follow these state regulations.
Ask Us About Skunk Control in Your Area
Whether you've noticed skunks digging through your lawn or suspect one is living beneath your deck, Big Time Pest Control can help you determine what to do next.
If you're in Sacramento, Redding, Citrus Heights, or another Northern California community, contact us to confirm whether skunk control is available in your area and discuss your concerns with our team.
