Skunk trapped

[FlameOn]

So a skunk has fallen down my window well and is currently desperate and trapped. I've watched it for the past hour chewing and clawing through the bug screen there trying to get through the glass into my basement.

Any recommendations on getting it out without a spray of toxic sludge? How bad of an idea is it to try to scoop it out using a snow shovel and running like hell after?

[Knut]

Please go-pro whatever you decide to do

[Dion]

Find something long like a piece of wood you could put in the window well. Drop it in at angle so the skunk can climb out. Don't startle the skunk or you'll get sprayed

I did the above a few years ago when a muskrat fell into one of my window wells.

[Caged Great]

Give it something it can climb and it'll get to safety.

[Cuz]

Make sure to catch it on video!

[Minnie]

Try what Dion said. If it still can't manage to get itself out, call the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation in the morning - they have several volunteers in Calgary who could help. Their number is listed at the bottom of their webpage.

http://www.aiwc.ca/

[bc-chris]

i don't know if it is true, but i remember being told that if a skunk is soaking wet it won't spray becuz it's tail is too heavy to lift... again, i have no clue if this is actually true or not.

maybe setup a sprinkler by the window well to get the skunk wet and as others have mentioned, slide something into the well that will enable the skunk to climb out. if he starts to climb right away and he's wet, maybe the wetness will buy you a couple extra seconds to get the heck out of there before he can spray!


there is of course the other option of just burning your house down

[FlameOn]

Morning comes and the skunk has burrowed and gone to sleep under the window well wood. Thanks for the links, going out to try to find a piece of wood that isn't too slippery for him to get out today.



Curious cat is skulking around.


Skunk dirtied up that part of the window pretty good trying to get out so picture is super blurry.

[savemedrzaius]

Just open the screen and let him come in through the basement window. Then leave your front door open and eventually he will find his way out. Usually the skunk finds his way out in a day or two. Now I have 3 raccoons in my house though so I'm waiting for them to leave.

[Stormageddon]

[PaperBagger'14]

Find him a skunk bride and put her in the hole with him. They can have their skunkymoon in the ambiance of your window well and start their own skunk family. I guess the issue really happens when their little ones grow up and are ready for skunkergarten.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by FlameOn

Morning comes and the skunk has burrowed and gone to sleep under the window well wood. Thanks for the links, going out to try to find a piece of wood that isn't too slippery for him to get out today.

Curious cat is skulking around.


Skunk dirtied up that part of the window pretty good trying to get out so picture is super blurry.

Can't tell from the window spots. Is that cat black?
Got a can of white paint or a freshly painted park bench?

[Wood]

Originally Posted by bc-chris

i don't know if it is true, but i remember being told that if a skunk is soaking wet it won't spray becuz it's tail is too heavy to lift... again, i have no clue if this is actually true or not.

maybe setup a sprinkler by the window well to get the skunk wet

Fill the window well with water until it's full enough for the skunk to swim out. Fail-proof

[Cheese]

I had the same thing happen. Called a pro who came with an extendable wand. He put peanut butter on the end of wand, the skunk started licking the PB, he reached down grabbed it by the scruff of the neck like you would with a cat and released it. I put heavy Guage cage over window wells after that. Insurance had to be called to remove stink from house.
I tried sticking a plank down mine as well.. Just made the situation worse. Call a pro

[RT14]

Originally Posted by Wood

Fill the window well with water until it's full enough for the skunk to swim out. Fail-proof

I guess hey? I'm sure his windows are completely water proof. Most are. Of course, if they're the rare ones that only keep out rain, not 2 feet of solid water, it could potentially lead to basement flooding. But it still might be worth it to get rid of a skunk safely.

[puffnstuff]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

Just open the screen and let him come in through the basement window. Then leave your front door open and eventually he will find his way out. Usually the skunk finds his way out in a day or two. Now I have 3 raccoons in my house though so I'm waiting for them to leave.

ha ha ha silly human

[Wood]

Originally Posted by RT14

I guess hey? I'm sure his windows are completely water proof. Most are. Of course, if they're the rare ones that only keep out rain, not 2 feet of solid water, it could potentially lead to basement flooding. But it still might be worth it to get rid of a skunk safely.

Fail proof

[Dion]

[nik-]

R.I.P. FlameOn

[FlameOn]

Day two log. I tried loading a rough piece of wood ripped from a pallet into the window egress at a not very steep angle as a ramp for him to run out. Loaded the thing with cat food (tuna) 1/3 of the way up and 2/3 of the way down to see if he would climb it.

Picture of wood without food


Skunk wakes up and proceeds to look around trying to look for a way out. Walked up far enough on the plank to sniff the cat food then returned to chewing up my window bug screen.




He still hasn't touched any of the cat food as of this morning. I'm think of either buying a trap covered in a blanket or something along those lines if AIWCs doesn't show up today.