Skunks and Raccoons

• Do not feed or try to approach a skunk. Observe a skunk from at least 20 feet away.
• If the skunk begins to show warning behaviors such as tail-lifting and stomping, leave the
area slowly and quietly.
• If sprayed, flush eyes, wash skin with carbolic soap and water and wash clothes with a
vinegar solution.

Skunks are not good climbers, but can still go over small obstacles and dig
under fences.
• Keep poultry in secure coops at night.
• Install 4-6 foot widths of wire mesh fencing to fence poultry yards. The bottom 6 inches of
fencing should be bent outward at a 90-degree angle and buried to a depth of 6 inches to
discourage skunks from digging under the fence.
• Vaccinate your pets and keep their shots up to date.
• Keep dogs and cats indoors at night.
• Do not allow pets to chase or “play” with skunks.
• If a pet is sprayed, wash the animal quickly with commercial products that are designed to
eliminate skunk spray odor.
• If a pet is bitten, contact a veterinarian immediately.

• Place bird feeders out of the reach of skunks and keep fallen seed picked up.
• Do not leave pet food and water dishes outside.
• Keep trash in locked or weighed down containers and put it out on the morning of pick-up.

• Cover window wells. Skunks can fall into the wells and become trapped. If this happens,
slowly place a long, thick, rough board into the well to allow the skunk to climb out on its
own.
• Use wildlife safe, non-toxic insecticides to control grubs on your property, a food source for
skunks, which may result in skunks digging up lawns.
• Eliminate potential den sites by closing off old buildings, culverts, irrigation pipes and brush
piles.
• Use mothballs, naphthalene flakes, or paradichlorobenzene crystals as repellants. Rags
soaked with ammonia have also been reported to be effective repellents.
• Close off holes in foundations and porches with wire mesh that extends at least 10 inches
underground. Place flour outside the hole and look for tracks indicating the skunk has
excited before sealing up the hole.
• A 2-foot wire mesh with the bottom 6 inches bent out at a 90-degree angle and buried at a
depth of 6 inches will prevent skunks from digging underneath buildings.

•Do not approach or try to feed raccoons.
•Do not leave pet food and water bowls outside.
•Keep bushes trimmed and woodpiles stacked neatly.
•Trim tree branches that extend over buildings to eliminate climbing structures.
•Trash should be kept indoors at night and put out the morning of pick-up. If this cannot be done, trash cans should be secured to avoid being overturned and the lids should be weighed or locked.
•Keep fallen fruit and vegetables picked up.
•Cover openings under porches and sheds.
•Cover window wells with a commercial grate.
•Install chimney caps and cover attic exhaust pipes with hardware cloth.
•While covering holes, be sure to avoid sealing animals inside. Sprinkle flour around the area. If you do not find tracks for several days it is okay to proceed with covering.
•Use woven wire fencing around poultry yards and gardens. Approximately 8 inches should be buried in the ground to prevent a raccoon from digging under.
•Keep poultry, rabbits and other hobby livestock secured in a building/barn at night.
•Install electric fencing.
•Install motion sensor lighting, and if possible use in conjunction with noise makers such as a radio.
•Keep housecats and dogs indoors at night.
•Lock dog/cat doors at night to prevent raccoons from entering your home.
•Vaccinate your pets.
•Always observe raccoons from a safe distance.

Close off access to other areas of the home, open doors and windows and go outside and watch for the raccoon to leave. Do not use food as bait. If it still won’t leave, contact a professional pest control company. Do not attempt to remove the animal yourself.

Use noise makers to scare the raccoon away. Use a hose or water gun to deter the animal from approaching. Keep a good distance from the animal and do not corner it.

Skunks USU

Raccoons USU

The City of Draper participates in the Salt Lake County Urban Wildlife Assistance Program. This program is only for the removal of skunks and raccoons.

Read through the directions below to learn how to participate in the program.

How does the program work?

This program requires homeowners and business owners to purchase a live trap and trap skunks and raccoons which may be damaging or destroying property or posing a threat to human health and safety. A limited number of loaned traps are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and are loaned out for a two-week period.

Homeowners and business owners can call the urban office at 385-419-3405 before 8:30 AM and leave their name, number, address, and trap location on the voicemail and the animal will be picked up that day – free of charge. If the call is received after 8:30 AM, the trap may not be picked up until the following business day. This program is limited to skunks and raccoons. This program does not include the pickup and disposal of road kill.

Required Documents

Prior to the first pick-up, or at the time of pickup, please complete the highlighted portions of the WS Form 12C. Wildlife Specialists will not remove the animal until the form is signed. Place the form in a zip lock bag and secure it on your front door or near the trap. This form allows specialists permission on your property.

The document needs to be signed only once for each individual property and is good for five years from the signed date. Subsequent visits to the same property will not require another form.

WS Form 12C

Assistance

If residents or business owners have specific questions about how to alleviate damages posed by raccoons, skunks, or any other wildlife species they can call and leave their name, number, and a brief message to the urban office 385-419-3405. Specialists will provide information, advice, and techniques on how to handle each specific situation.

Where to Purchase a Trap

Wire cage traps can be purchased at most local farm/co-op stores, sporting goods stores, and many online retailers such as IFA, CAL Ranch, Tractor Supply, and Amazon. When purchasing a trap, get one large enough for an adult raccoon to fit in comfortably.

A large trap size is usually 10″ x 12″ x 32″, big enough when catching a skunk. Extra large traps are around 15″ x 15″ x 42″ and may be beneficial when trying to catch large, adult raccoons.