Window Well Skunks
For those of a certain generation, one might recall a popular Atari games of the 1980s called “Pitfall” in which Pitfall Harry (a la Indiana Jones) works his way through the jungle trying to avoid all sorts of danger.
And, as this snip of an online dictionary below shows, the word pitfall is commonly used to identify a hidden danger.
In it’s literal definition, the pitfall is one of the oldest trapping methods known.
These simple traps are merely holes in the ground an animal falls into while traveling. Once in the pit, the animal can’t get out before the trapper returns.
For skunks, one of the biggest pitfalls they face in our neighborhoods (both literally and figuratively) are window wells.
It is common for skunks to fall in window wells and find themselves unable to get out.
That’s what this week’s blog is all about.
Skunk Stuck in Window Well
When basement windows are installed below grade, a window well is installed to keep dirt away from the window.
Often made of corrugated metal, they vary in depth anywhere from 1 to 4 feet usually.
Some get covered. Some do not.
The uncovered window wells are the ones that are notorious for getting skunks stuck in them.
Skunks are not the best climbers and are fairly small. Once a skunk falls in, its chances of being able to climbing out are poor.
The little skunks pictured in this window well have no chance.
Getting skunks out of window wells before its too late can be accomplished in a variety of ways.
Helping a Skunk Climb Out a Window Well
A suggestion made often, and a good one to try at first, is to place something into the window well (like a plank) and give them the time to try to climb out.
Letting them climb out on their own works occasionally. Factors for success are:
- Time in the window well. The earlier the skunk is discovered in the window well, the better the chances are that the skunk will try to climb out if given the opportunity. A skunk that has been in a window well for multiple hours has been under a lot of stress. Situational stress, heat, and lack of food and water can render the skunk unable to climb out even if given the opportunity. The longer they’ve been there, the less likely they are able to climb out.
- Low angle. Because they are poor climbers the steeper the angle is, the less chance of success they have. Wider and shallower window wells offer a higher likelihood of success over narrow or deep wells.
- Great grip on the surface they’ve been given the chance to climb. As diggers, skunks have impressive fingers nails. These nails further impede the climbing ability of skunks on smooth surfaces. However, surfaces that are more irregular provide better grip than the standard piece of lumber people seem to instinctively pick. Taking the time to put cleats or carpeting or wire mesh on a piece of wood can up the odds of success.
Another creative method that might work would be to lower a lidded cardboard box with a hole in the side and rope attached into the window well.
After some time, the skunk may explore the darkness/cover the box affords and go inside the box. If it does, the box could be gently lifted from the window well and placed on safe ground close to the window well.
Other methods of lifting them out are only limited by creativity.
Go In and Get The Skunk Out
So you’ve given the skunk a good chance to climb out or go into a box but it just won’t. Or, you’re not really interested in trying this method in the first place. What should be done next?
We recommend a call to an experienced nuisance animal trapper.
Leaving the skunk in the window well until it expires is not recommended as it is both inhumane and will probably lead to quite a stink. Dehydrated, exposed skunks will eventually die but they are almost sure to stink as they leak fluids in the end stages.
Nuisance animal removers will get them to go into a trap, euthanize them in place, or pick them up by hand. If done well, these methods will result in a mostly scent free removal.
Here are a couple of window well removal videos.
In the first, Ryan is dealing with two baby skunks. Because they are babies and skunk smell is not a big deal for him, he just picked them up.
In the second, Ryan talks about the situation and ended up using a trap, a sheet, and a garden hose for some persuasion to remove this skunk stuck in a window well without any smell.
Remember, that being above a skunk puts them on the defensive, as skunk predators like owls come from above. Skunk Removal 101 always highlights the necessity to stay low when approaching a skunk. Since this can’t be done, caution not to get them riled up should be exercised.
Skunk Removal for Akron, Canton, & Kent
Window well covers help avoid this whole situation. If you are just reading this post for information and don’t have a problem make sure you have your window wells covered.
But, if you have a skunk stuck in a window well, let them try to climb out first or see if you can hoist them out in a creative fashion.
The earlier you noticed them being in there, the better your chances.
But, if you’d not had success and are looking for professional skunk removers in the Akron, Canton, Kent, OH area, please give Frontline Animal Removal a call.
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