Wildlife and birds

Why Does It Smell Like Skunk in the Fall?

Short answer

Because early fall is when skunks look for a sheltered place to spend the winter, and spaces under porches and damaged foundations are what they look for.

Reviewed by William "Willy" Vizcarrondo, 35+ years in the field. Updated October 12, 2026.

What NYSDEC says

NYSDEC links strong early fall skunk odor to gaps around the house and dogs roaming at night. The fix is to close or screen holes and crawl spaces and keep dogs confined.

Skunks do not hibernate, so a den under a porch can stay active through the winter.

Striped Skunk Skunks There's a skunk under my deck. What should I do?

Sources

NYSDEC, Striped Skunk

Still not sure? Call (516) 509-6001 and we'll tell you what you're dealing with.

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