Preventing Animal Injury and Death in Window Wells
The following information will help you evaluate your animal damage prevention needs. We can’t guarantee its completeness, as animals are doing new things all the time.
Animals that Typically Fall into Window Wells:
- Skunks
- Opossums
- Foxes
Prevent Animal Entry into a Window Well
- Install window well covers.
Rescue Animals Trapped in a Window Well
- Use a cleated board (8 inches wide with cleats every 6 inches to provide the animal a foothold). Ideally the board should be no steeper than a 45-degree angle.
- Secure 1/4-inch hardware cloth between two 2 x 4s and place like a ladder into the window well. The animal can grip the mesh and climb out.
- Place an appropriate-sized baited trap in the well. Cover the trap if you are setting for a skunk. Check the trap twice a day, morning and evening.