What Animal Is Living Under My Deck or Shed? Texas Burrow & Den Identification Guide

You're sitting on your back porch at dusk, and you hear it — a rustling, scratching sound coming from under the deck. You've known there was a hole under there for weeks. You told yourself it was probably nothing. But now you hear movement. Something is living under your deck, and you have no idea what it is or how bad the situation has gotten.

This is one of the most common Texas homeowner dilemmas, and it's also one of the most dangerous to ignore. Animals denning under structures cause foundation erosion, chew through electrical wiring, tear up insulation on HVAC lines, and create fire hazards. A single armadillo burrow under a deck can extend 15 feet and compromise multiple concrete footings. This guide will help you identify the culprit — from a safe distance — and tell you exactly what to do next.

The Texas Deck Den Suspect Lineup: Burrow Comparison Table

Suspect #1: The Armadillo — Your Deck's Worst Enemy

Armadillos are the #1 animal found denning under Texas decks and sheds. They don't just use existing holes — they excavate their own, which is what makes them so destructive. An armadillo burrow is typically 5-8 inches in diameter and extends 2-4 feet deep with a slight upward turn at the end (to prevent flooding). The entrance has a distinctive fan-shaped dirt mound on one side where the armadillo pushed soil out with its back feet. A single armadillo may maintain 2-4 burrows and rotate between them. If you plug the hole and it's reopened within 24 hours, the burrow is active.

Suspect #2: The Skunk — Smelly, Neat, and Stubborn

Skunks rarely dig their own burrows — they prefer to take over abandoned armadillo holes or natural cavities. This is actually helpful for identification: if the hole looks like an armadillo dug it but smells musky (especially in the early morning), a skunk has moved in. Skunk dens are shallower and less destructive than armadillo burrows. The primary risk is defensive spray — a cornered skunk under your deck can discharge musk that permeates HVAC intakes and makes your home unlivable for days.

Step-by-Step: How to Identify What's Under Your Deck (Without Going Under There)

1. Measure the hole. Take a photo with a ruler for scale. 5-8 inches = armadillo or skunk. 8-12+ inches = raccoon or groundhog. 2-3 inches = rats.
2. Check for tracks. After a light rain or early morning dew, look for footprints in soft soil near the entrance. Raccoon tracks look like tiny human hands. Armadillo tracks show three distinct claw drag marks. Skunk tracks are small and round with all five toes visible.
3. Do the flour test. Sprinkle a light layer of flour around the entrance at dusk. Check in the morning. The tracks in the flour will tell you exactly what's coming and going — and how many.
4. Smell the air at dawn. Skunks leave a faint musky odor. Rats leave an ammonia-like urine smell. Raccoons may leave a musty, animal odor. Armadillos and opossums are essentially odorless.
5. Listen at dusk. Raccoons make chittering, growling, or purring sounds. Baby raccoons sound like birds chirping. Skunks are mostly silent. Opossums may hiss if threatened.

What NOT to Do (These Make It Worse)

• Don't pour gasoline, bleach, or ammonia down the hole. This is illegal in Texas, toxic to soil and groundwater, and often just forces the animal to dig a new exit — potentially into your crawl space. Mothballs are also illegal for outdoor use under FIFRA.
• Don't seal the entrance while the animal is inside. You will trap it, and a trapped animal will dig its way out — potentially through your floor. If babies are inside and the mother is locked out, she will destroy siding, soffit, or decking to get back in.
• Don't use ultrasonic repellent devices. Zero peer-reviewed evidence they work on any Texas wildlife species. Texas A&M AgriLife has specifically tested and debunked these for armadillos, skunks, and raccoons.

The Only Safe Solution: One-Way Exclusion + Sealing

Licensed wildlife professionals use a one-way exclusion door — a device that allows the animal to exit at night to feed but prevents re-entry. Once the professional confirms all animals have been excluded (including babies — which is why timing matters; baby season is March-October for most Texas species), they permanently seal the entrance with hardware cloth buried 12 inches deep in an L-shape to prevent digging underneath. This is the only method recognized as humane by Texas Parks & Wildlife and the NPMA. DIY exclusion attempts almost always fail because homeowners seal the entrance too early (trapping animals inside) or use materials the animal can chew through (expanding foam, chicken wire, wood).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the animal is still living under my deck?

Stuff the entrance loosely with newspaper or straw at dusk. If it's pushed out the next morning, the burrow is active. If it remains undisturbed for 3 consecutive days, the animal has likely moved on — but still have a professional inspect before sealing.

Can I just trap the animal myself?

In Texas, property owners may trap nuisance wildlife causing damage without a permit. However, relocation is regulated — most species must be released on the same property or euthanized. Trapping without addressing why the animal chose your deck (food source, shelter, access) means a new animal moves in within days.

Will animal removal hurt my deck or foundation?

Professional exclusion does not damage structures. The sealing materials (hardware cloth, metal flashing) are installed to be invisible from the exterior. The alternative — letting the animal stay — will absolutely damage your foundation over time as burrows expand and soil erodes.