Whitby Wildlife Prevention: Do Baby Skunks Spray?

  Meeting a baby skunk is sure to tug at your heartstrings. They are so tiny and cute and helpless that you will simply melt at the sight of them. But if you’ve ever experienced the full force of the skunk stink you will definitely be wondering if these fuzzy little animals can unleash the putrid odour while you’re busy oohing and awing over them. When it comes to avoiding this notorious spray, effective and humane skunk prevention is the solution Whitby residents need.

Can a Baby Skunk Spray You?

  When baby skunks just come into the world, like any other animal life, they are not really ready to take on the world by themselves. For the first few weeks of life, they are dependent on their mothers for almost everything. Our technician Chris Stevens provides some insight to baby skunks spraying ability. “Yes, baby skunks can and do spray. Until they have done it a few times, they aren't as good at directing it as the adults are so it tends to be smaller more erratic sprays.”  Their spraying ability though is there from as early as just a few weeks after birth. The baby skunk might only be able to secrete a small quantity of the oily substance beneath its tail.

The Maturity Process for Skunks

  As the skunk gets older and its wildlife abilities kick in, its spray becomes more potent and its ability to control it is heightened. At about three months old, a skunk has developed a decent level of control over its spraying capacity and produces a good enough volume of spray to make you and all other potential threats retch. It is not until the skunk becomes an adult though, that it is able to properly direct its spray and produce a good quantity of the offensive stuff.

Skunk Spray Imminent? Know the Signs!

  Skunks are very careful with their spray. After all, it takes a while to accumulate and it’d be a shame to use it up on a mild threat and be defenceless when another more serious one comes along. Before they spray you, they’ll try to get rid of you by hissing and growling. If that fails, then they’ll stomp a foot and scratch at the ground. If this fails, they’ll turn around and prepare to shoot. This is when you remove yourself from the scene… swiftly as it is the action that comes right before the release of the spray. Don’t be fooled by the fact that the skunk’s rear end is facing you. This does nothing to throw off the animal’s aim. Once you’re in range the spray will definitely get you. And then you’ll have the arduous and time-consuming task of removing the stubborn smell.

Keeping Skunks off Your Property

  If you want skunks to stay away you should remove all the things that will encourage them to visit. Start by removing the things that skunks like to eat. This includes most of your edible garbage especially leftover fruits and vegetables. Once skunks get wind of the feast (even though to you it’s just garbage) they will make their way towards it. Skunks love to burrow under areas such as crawlspaces so it is a good idea to install exclusion barriers to protect these spaces. For the most effective skunk prevention strategies, Whitby residents should engage the team at Skedaddle. Our highly trained wildlife technicians can install specially designed barriers to keep skunks off your property. If skunks have already made their way in, we can also find and remove them using safe and effective strategies such as one-way doors.