Skunks
Facts: Skunks are generally nocturnal (active at night) but do o come out during the day if they are hungry enough. They generally do not do well in city environments due to many reasons. Skunks have very limited vision at a distance so they very often fall into contruction holes, egress windows and occasionally storm sewers as they can't see where the holes are until they are very close to it. Skunks will only spray as a last resort. They will first stamp their feet, make noise and do a semi handstand to try to scare off a threat. If all else fails, it will spray and then run. If a stunk releases a full "load" of spray, it takes around 10 days for it to be fully regenrated. During this time, the skunk is virtually defenseless. Having skunks around will cut down on mice, grubs and other insects in the yard and garden. In WI, live skunks can not be removed from the property due to being a potential rabies risk. However, rabies is rare in skunks.
Problem:
Skunk seen in daylight: If it doesn't appear to be sick or injured, it more than likely had a bad night hunting or it could be mom getting extra calories to nurse her litter. This is generally not a cause for concern. Once it is full, it will leave.
Skunk following people, appearing drunk or sick: Call your local police, animal control or rehab for assistance and evaluation
Skunk sprayed pets, objects or you: Skunk spray is oil based and can be hard to get off. A solution of a quart of peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and a teaspoon of Dawn will help to cut the smell and break down the oils. Apply, let sit for a few minutes then rise. Follow with a good cleaning or bath/shower. This should take out most of the smell. Time will generally take it all out as the smell naturally breaks down.
Baby Skunks near dead mom: Call Animal Control or a rehabber to determine the best course of action.
Skunk in the window well: As with other animals, a 2x4 or large stick laid at a diagonal should allow it to leave. If it is there more than 24 hours, call your local animal control or rehab for assistance.
Skunk fell into pool/pond: This is fairly common in the summer and occasionally during the spring thaw. Due to being extremely near-sighted, they can't judge that the water isn't solid and they go for a swim. You can take something long (pool skimmer, broom handle, long sturdy stick, a net, etc) and gently scoop it out or help guide it to shore. While skunks can swim, they don't do it well as they get disorientded due to their vision. It may stay on shore for awhile due to being wet and exhausted but it should be gone by night fall if left alone.
Skunk digging up lawn: Skunks love grubs. Generally grubs will surface if the lawn is over watered or if there was a heavy rain due to their tunnels being flooded. Once the skunks have eaten all the grubs or they go back under ground, the skunks should stop. You can also sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes or other capsaicin based product on dig spots to discourage it until the ground dries.
Skunk in the garden: Consider yourself lucky. You have free pest control. They love Japanese beetle grubs (this invaisive species targets root systems) as well as Masked Chafer Beetle grubs (this invasive species targets grass roots). They also eat many vegetable pests as well as rodents. Skunks have no interest in the plants, just the pests that eat them.
Skunk under the deck: An open space under a structure is like a free den for most animals. The best thing to do is let them be. Generally a skunk under the deck is a mom raising her babies. Babies are generally born in May and June with everyone being out and on their own in about 2 months, usually by September at the latest. Towards the end of the season, you can place balled up newspaper in the hole. If it isn't disturbed after 48 hours, it generally means everyone has left and you can seal the hole.