As non-aggressive, nocturnal animals, skunks are rarely a bother to neighborhoods, aside from the occasional pungent defense that hangs in the air. Still, you never want to find skunk holes around your lawn, indicating a skunk den is nearby. While skunks are more docile than other wildlife, they can still cause significant damage to property.
Common Locations of Skunk Dens on Your Property
Skunks prefer to use abandoned dens and existing structures rather than create their own den. That said, they can dig their own nest and will if they can’t find other adequate shelters. Common locations of skunk dens include hollowed-out tree stumps or fallen trunks, under porches, decks, or sheds, and in wood or rock piles.
A typical den may house up to 20 skunks, especially when built for the colder months. In the spring, mothers will find their own den spaces to raise their young.
Signs of Skunks Living Around Your Property
You may not notice skunk dens on your property, but you should notice evidence of the animal. At night, you might see it wandering around the yard. Also, a skunk will dig several holes in your lawn or garden in search of insects to eat. The animal may dig into open trash cans or loose bags if it doesn’t find enough bugs.
You can also look for tracks and droppings. Skunk feces is similar to cat waste, but it is more tubular with blunt ends. Also, the droppings will usually contain bits of undigested seeds and insects.
Beyond physical evidence of the animal on your property, you may notice a strange smell. Even when skunks don’t spray, they may produce a light musky scent around their den.
How To Get Rid of Skunks on Your Property
If you have skunks on your property, you can try humane harassment techniques to encourage them to leave. Examples of humane harassment include sound and light.
Skunks do not like the sound of people talking; it can make them feel unsafe. If possible, set up a radio near the opening of the skunk den and tune it to a talk radio station. You can play the device at a regular speaking volume and leave it on. If you’re lucky, the skunk and its family will leave to find somewhere quieter.
As nocturnal animals, skunks also hate being in bright lights. You can try installing motion-activated lighting near the den. If the skunk gets annoyed enough with being lit up every time it leaves its den, it may find an alternative.
DIY Removal and Its Dangers
While humane harassment techniques may work, they are as far as any homeowner should go. Using traps, nets, or other DIY removal techniques is dangerous for you and the animal. Also, some DIY methods are illegal. Always check with a local authority before committing to any removal process.
Skunks are normally docile, but when threatened or handled, they can bite, scratch, or spray. As with other wildlife, skunks carry and can transmit diseases. It is always best to leave animal removal to the professionals.
Safe Removal With Wildlife Professionals
Experts in skunk removal in Milwaukee know the necessary precautions and tools to remove skunks safely and without incident. Humane wildlife removal is all about putting the care and well-being of the animal first.
Do you have a skunk den on your property? Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control to schedule a property inspection. The company will send a team of qualified technicians to assess your property and determine the location and level of infestation. With the assessment results, the team will devise a safe removal and relocation plan.
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