Consult County Extension offices for proper pesticides. All ground-level openings in building foundations and openings beneath porches and crawl spaces should be sealed with concrete, sheet metal, or heavy wire to prevent skunks and other animals from becoming established in areas where they are not wanted. If skunks are already settled under a building, close all openings except one, then check the remaining opening for tracks after dark. It may be necessary to place an artificial tracking surface such as lime, sand or flour at the burrow entrance to determine if the skunk is inside or outside the den. If tracks show that the animal has left, close the opening.
Skunks occasionally bother beehives.
When this occurs, put hives on stands several feet off the ground and tack sheet metal on the legs of stands to prevent skunks from climbing to the hives. Skunks that invade suburban areas may accidentally fall into cellar window wells. Place a rough-sawn board, or one with cleats tacked crosswise, into the window well at a shallow angle so the skunk can climb out. Skunks should not be trapped in leg-hold traps as they will most likely release their scent. Wire live traps may be used, but a skunk is more likely to release its scent in this type of trap than in the more confining wooden live trap.