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Under the Deck/Shed/Porch

Techniques and principles for determining what animal is living under your deck and shed.

Do you see the...

hole directly? Woodchuck den. Photo by Stephen Vantassel
access to underneath the shed or deck? Vole access under a building. Photo by Stephen Vantassel
not sure ????

 

 

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage
Inspection Home Page
 
 
 

Hole Directly

4 inches or higher  Raccoon, house cat, fox, woodchuck, skunk, opossum Woodchuck den. Photo by Stephen Vantassel
   

2-3 inches 

Rat hole. Photo by Stephen Vantassel

1-2 inches

Chipmunk hole in the middle of a lawn. Photo by Stephen Vantassel

<1 inch

 
   

Only Shed or Deck Access

 
3" or greater
  • Woodchuck (usually accompanied by a large quantity of dirt. See photo at right.
  • Skunk
  • Opossum
  • Raccoon
  • Other-ie. cats, or other invasive species
 woodchuck den. Photo by Stephen Vantassel

1-2 inches

 

<1 inch

Vole access under a building. Photo by Stephen Vantassel

 

Not Sure

If you are not sure if an animal is using your shed or deck as a den site, then use the following technique to determine if the site is being used. Under no circumstances should you ever secure a deck, shed or porch site without being absolutely certain the location is not being used by wildlife. Failure to heed this advice can have serious consequences.

Perform a den test Den test. Photo by Stephen Vantassel

A den test is simply placing a trip wire in front of a suspicious hole to help you determine if the hole is being used. This technique can only properly be used during the warm months as some animals hibernate (ie. Woodchucks) and others go into topor (skunks) for extended periods of time.

Option 1. Placing thin, brittle sticks in front of the suspicious hole. Monitor for several days provided weather is pleasant. If an animal is using the site, the sticks will be knocked over or the sticks will be broken.

Option 2. Cork the hole with newspaper. Monitor as instructed above.

Option 3. Back fill the openning with loose dirt to force the animal to dig out. Monitor as instructed above.

Some people may suggest laying down flour and look for tracks. We don't recommend it as flour can attract insects and animal prints are rarely as clear as the track books suggest.

 

 

 

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