Animal in My Window Well
Q: Why did this happen?
A: The animal is not trying to make a home; it has fallen in by accident and can't get out. A skunk will often go along the foundation of a home searching for food (such as insects and mice) and sometimes do not notice the window well until it is too late. Muskrats and rabbits who are threatened and trying to escape will also fall into the well.
Q: How can I get it out?
A: For skunks and muskrats, the easiest way to solve the problem (if the window well is shallow enough - no more than 2 feet deep) is to get a piece of wood (at least 1 foot in width) and tack a piece of scrap carpeting or an old towel for traction. Place the wood in the well on a gradual angle to serve as a ramp. Leave overnight as many animals are nocturnal. If it is a hot day, cover part of the window well with cardboard to provide shade. If the window well is too deep and the ramp won’t work, get a deep bucket that will fit into the well. Place some food (wet cat food for skunks; apples for muskrats) towards the back of the bucket and lay it on its side. When the animal goes into the bucket, gently tip the bucket upright and slowly lift it out of the well (tie a string to the handle before placing in the well). When out, gently tip the bucket on its side and back away. Remember skunks have poor eyesight and only spray as a last resort when feeling threatened—move slowly and talk softly to make your presence known so the skunk does not feel threatened. Skunks also give a warning by stamping their front paws, meaning back off or else! In the case of a baby rabbit, simply use a towel to gently scoop it up and lift it out to safety.
Q: What can I do to prevent this from happening again?
A: To avoid this situation repeating itself, it’s worthwhile to purchase a window well covering or use 1" by 1" welded wire mesh as a cover.
A: The animal is not trying to make a home; it has fallen in by accident and can't get out. A skunk will often go along the foundation of a home searching for food (such as insects and mice) and sometimes do not notice the window well until it is too late. Muskrats and rabbits who are threatened and trying to escape will also fall into the well.
Q: How can I get it out?
A: For skunks and muskrats, the easiest way to solve the problem (if the window well is shallow enough - no more than 2 feet deep) is to get a piece of wood (at least 1 foot in width) and tack a piece of scrap carpeting or an old towel for traction. Place the wood in the well on a gradual angle to serve as a ramp. Leave overnight as many animals are nocturnal. If it is a hot day, cover part of the window well with cardboard to provide shade. If the window well is too deep and the ramp won’t work, get a deep bucket that will fit into the well. Place some food (wet cat food for skunks; apples for muskrats) towards the back of the bucket and lay it on its side. When the animal goes into the bucket, gently tip the bucket upright and slowly lift it out of the well (tie a string to the handle before placing in the well). When out, gently tip the bucket on its side and back away. Remember skunks have poor eyesight and only spray as a last resort when feeling threatened—move slowly and talk softly to make your presence known so the skunk does not feel threatened. Skunks also give a warning by stamping their front paws, meaning back off or else! In the case of a baby rabbit, simply use a towel to gently scoop it up and lift it out to safety.
Q: What can I do to prevent this from happening again?
A: To avoid this situation repeating itself, it’s worthwhile to purchase a window well covering or use 1" by 1" welded wire mesh as a cover.
STOP - DO NOT TRAP AND RELOCATE THE ANIMAL - Click here to find out why