Ground-level spray is common
Skunks spend most of the night with their noses down, digging small cone-shaped holes in lawns and beds as they hunt for grubs, beetles and other insects. When something startles them, they spray from where they stand, so the spray zone is often a patch of mulch, a flower bed along the foundation or the soil under shrubs.
The mature landscaping that makes the streets around Washington Park so pleasant, with old trees, deep beds, ground cover and hedges along the foundation, gives skunks cover and food. Beds against the house are a particular problem because they sit right beside basement windows and crawlspace vents. Organic mulch is porous and holds the oil much like a sponge.
Dealing with a spray in a bed or lawn
Locate the zone
The spot is usually obvious up close: the smell is concentrated, and there may be a darker oily patch or fresh digging.
Remove contaminated mulch
Rake it up and bag it. Wood mulch that took a direct hit is rarely worth saving.
Deal with the top layer of soil
Remove the top couple of inches in the immediate spray zone, or treat it with a product labeled for soil or outdoor use. Replace with clean soil or fresh mulch.
Treat hard surfaces nearby
Foundation walls, window well liners, edging, pavers and the base of the siding often catch overspray.
Fix the cause
Reduce grubs if they are a heavy draw, pick up fallen fruit, and close openings nearby so the skunk does not return to the same bed.
Ground covers compared
| Surface | Holds odor | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Shredded wood mulch | High | Remove and replace |
| Rock or gravel | Moderate, in fines and dust | Rinse, treat, or replace the top layer |
| Bare soil | High in the top layer | Remove a few inches or treat |
| Lawn turf | Moderate | Treat and allow to weather; usually recovers |
| Pavers and patio | Low on surface, higher in joints | Scrub and treat; refresh joint sand if needed |
Making beds less appealing to skunks
- Keep mulch layers thin near the foundation and away from window wells
- Trim dense shrubs so there is no hidden cover against the house
- Clean up fallen fruit from backyard trees promptly
- Use bird feeders with trays, and sweep spilled seed
- Keep compost in a closed bin rather than an open pile
- Watch for new digging, which shows where skunks are foraging
General information for Washington Park, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.