Skunk Removal: When to Call the Professionals

More often than not, skunks are completely harmless to humans. Skunks are omnivorous and prefer to scavenge rather than attack their prey, which means they do not have to kill for food. If a skunk becomes infected with rabies, it can be dangerous if you get too close or if you corner them. What’s more, while everyone is well aware of how unpleasant it can be to get sprayed by a skunk- there are good ways to make such an event unlikely.

If you see a skunk in the wild, you should keep your distance and let the skunk know you are there. A skunk does not want to use its spray unless it has to. So, if you are not too near the animal and do not threaten it- it will not use its spray.

Of course, it is possible to startle a skunk by mistake. If you happen upon one at a close distance accidentally, it is likely to spray you. Skunks will eat the feces of other animals, including humans. This means that they can choose to dwell under houses and near human habitations- increasing the risk of an accidental close encounter. What’s more, if the local skunk population is plentiful- the risk of a close contact encounter becomes much more likely.

Skunk Removal: Doing it Yourself VS Calling the Pros

Removing skunks can be tricky, but there a number of ways to do it. Because they have such a wide range of foods which they can eat, it can be difficult to eliminate all of the things that attract skunks. But with hard work and diligence, you can remove a skunk population and prevent new arrivals from settling in.

Removing Skunk Food Sources

Remove grass clippings and other vegetation. All organic yard waste should be cleaned up and removed. Any yard waste that has to be stored should be kept in locking containers. If you have a garden, any ripe fruit or vegetables should be collected as soon as possible. If you have a bird feeder, place a large tray under the feeder to catch any fallen scraps. Remove the scraps and clean the tray regularly.

Secure Food & Yard Waste

Trash should be stored in a secure shed or other enclosure. If you use homemade compost, your composting material will also have to be locked away securely. Eliminate smells as much as possible using sealed containers and enclosures.

Eliminate Hiding Spots

Skunks are reclusive creatures and prefer to avoid contact with other animals. But because of their preference for human waste products, they are likely to seek shelter in and around houses, barns, and other man-made structures. This means, if you want to get rid of your skunk guests, you’ll have to close off any entry points to shelter. Openings around the bottoms of porches, patios, decks should be your first priority. Skunks usually stay close to the ground, but they will sometimes go higher if the need and the opportunity present itself.

Don’t forget that large bushes and trees with openings in the trunk and beneath the roots are also attractive spots for skunks to hunker down.

Deploying Skunk Deterrents

Because skunks are shy, nocturnal, and reclusive- they can be deterred by things that more determined animals might ignore. These include lighting systems with motion sensors. The motion sensors are there to help you save electricity by allowing the lights to be off when not needed.

Chemical Deterrents

Skunks are repelled by the smell of dog and fox urine. You may be able to obtain dog urine on your own, or simply let your dogs do what they do naturally. Spray products that simulate these smells are also available. Pepper spray will deter most creatures and can be sprayed on trees and any area where skunks may travel. Ammonia and citrus peel are natural alternatives that will not harm other animals or the environment.

Removing Skunks

If your skunk problem requires more than simple deterrence, removal may be necessary. As always, killing or transporting animals may place you in violation of local nature conservation laws and statutes. Also, the proper disposal of dead animals is very important for the safety of any human residents in the area. Before catching, moving, or killing any skunks, check with your local animal removal authorities.

Using Traps

There are both lethal and non-lethal traps you may choose to employ to capture and kill skunks. These devices can pose a hazard to domestic and farm animals as well as to children. Snap traps should be well marked to avoid harming unwary people. They should also be enclosed with a fence to keep dogs and other animals from falling prey to these traps.

Calling on the Skunk Removal Professionals

To avoid complications with local ordinances, and the dangers of dealing with wild animals yourself, calling in professional skunk removal experts is always a smart move.

To learn more about the advantages of leaving it to the experts, call or find us online today.