A family living in the Lachenaie sector, in Verchères, on the South Shore, contacted our team after discovering a persistent skunk smell under their rear porch. The situation had worsened over several weeks: the skunk had obviously taken up residence under the treated wooden deck, digging a burrow in the concrete foundation. From the first night of our intervention, our technicians specialized in capturing skunks put in place a structured protocol to solve the problem without exposing the family to further defensive spraying.
Site Inspection and Assessment
The initial inspection was conducted in the late afternoon, a time when the skunk is still lurking in its burrow before leaving in search of food at dusk. Our technicians examined the perimeter of the property to locate all potential access points: openings under the gallery, gaps between the foundation blocks, spaces between the caulking and the exterior cladding. In Verchères, properties adjacent to the wooded areas of the Saint-Louis neighbourhood are particularly exposed, as skunks move easily from riverside woodlands to residential areas in search of shelter.
Inspection revealed a single active burrow under the gallery, with characteristic scratching marks and hairs left on the edges of the opening. No other access was found under the stairs or near the fieldstone retaining wall. Early detection of all accesses is crucial: sealing a single hole without neutralizing the others only redirects the animal.
Capture and relocation strategy
Given the sensitivity of the situation, an approach of capturing and relocating animals was preferred. Soft-triggered cage traps, covered with opaque canvas to reduce the animal’s stress and minimize the risk of spraying, were positioned directly at the entrance to the burrow. The bait chosen combines strong-smelling foods: canned sardines and peanut butter, which are particularly attractive to skunks without attracting other unwanted species.
The traps were inspected twice a day, in the early morning and early evening. On the first night, an adult female was captured. The handling was carried out with caution: the operator was wearing protective clothing and approached the cage, gradually covering it with an opaque sheet to keep the animal calm. The skunk was then relocated to the wild, at a distance that complied with the directives of the Quebec Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks. A second night check confirmed the absence of any other individuals in the burrow.
Permanent sealing and prevention of recurrence
Once the burrow was confirmed empty, our team proceeded to close the site for good. A tightly meshed galvanised mesh was fixed around the perimeter of the gallery, buried at a depth of thirty centimetres in an inverted L shape to prevent any future digging. The foundation blocks with cracks were sealed with hydraulic mortar. This work of closing ports of entry is the most effective measure to prevent future re-entry by another skunk or raccoon seeking shelter.
Homeowners have also been given preventative recommendations: securing compost bins with a lockable lid, picking up fruit that has fallen from fruit trees each night, and removing any piles of wood piled directly on the ground near the house. These simple habits greatly reduce the appeal of the property to wildlife.
Post-intervention follow-up
Our technicians from our team in Verchères carried out a control visit two weeks after the installation of the screen to verify the integrity of the seals and to confirm the absence of any new activity. No traces of digging were detected. The fence remained intact and well fixed. The property had returned to its usual state, with no residual smell or sign of animal presence under the porch. Thanks to Nova Extermination’s quick and methodical intervention, the family was able to regain full use of their outdoor space as early as the summer season. For similar situations on the South Shore, also consult our report on comparable raccoon cases to better understand our global approach to wildlife in residential areas.