Skunks pack a pungent defense, but it is still difficult to say the animal isn’t cute. Despite their cuteness, the animal is wild and does not belong on your property. Having a family of skunks on your land can result in many problems, not the least of which is odor. That said, how do you know how to keep skunks off your property?
The only surefire way to remove skunks from your property is to hire a licensed wildlife control service, such as Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. If skunks are not already present on your land, you should adopt preventative measures to keep them from your yard. Some prevention methods include:
- Installing a fence
- Securing openings under structures
- Install lighting
- Secure trash, pet food, and bird food
- Eliminate possible den sites
5 Places Skunks May Live on Your Property
To avoid learning how to get rid of a skunk, you should focus on prevention. Wildlife prevention is more manageable than resolving infestations.
Like all living things, skunks are in search of shelter, food, and water. If they find a site that offers easy access to nourishment, they will probably try and nest nearby. It’s important to note that skunks may den near a food source, meaning if your neighbor’s property offers plenty of snacks or your house backs up to a nature preserve, a skunk may still den in your yard.
The most proactive thing you can do as a homeowner is to eliminate possible den sites. Do not seal a site without knowing it is empty. Trapping animals in dens is cruel and unnecessary. Skunks tend to make nests in several common spaces.
1. Under Sheds
Skunks like to take advantage of existing structures to create makeshift dens. The shed’s underside — usually hoisted above the ground — provides ample room for a skunk to make a home. Typically, homeowners leave the space under a deck unprotected.
To prevent skunks from making a den under a shed, install hardware mesh or some barrier the animal cannot get through. If you use a metal mesh, be sure to bury a portion of it to prevent the animal from digging under it.
2. Under Decks and Home Additions
As with sheds, decks, and home additions often have an unprotected space underneath. The underside of these spaces provides enough shelter and security for skunks. Usually, the area has multiple ways in and out, and a mother skunk can build up materials to protect herself and her babies further.
3. In Crawl Spaces
If you want to keep skunks off your property, you must understand how they think and behave. Skunks are not great climbers so any den site will be low and likely underground. Your house’s crawlspace is an excellent option for skunks because it is quiet and rarely bothered by humans.
4. Under Tree Stumps
In a more natural and less developed environment, skunks typically burrow under old tree stumps. The hollowed-out stump is often effective with little work on the skunk’s behalf. If you have tree stumps on your property, consider having skunk removal in Madison inspect them for signs of wildlife.
5. In Tall Grass
While tall grass is not a sufficient den, it can provide enough cover for one. Unkempt and unmanicured lawns are at a greater risk of wildlife infestations, especially by prey animals.
Skedaddle Helps Keep Skunks Off of Your Property
Learning how to keep skunks off your property is about understanding prevention strategies. While preventatives are useful before an infestation, they are unsuitable for correcting one. If you have skunks on your property and suspect a den site in your yard, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control and schedule an in-person assessment. The service will send a team to inspect the area and offer possible solutions for you to consider.
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