Skunks

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU

The striped skunk is a mammal that is infamous for the strong odour it can emit. Not only can this species wreak havoc on your senses, it can cause major damage to your home. Although skunks are not aggressive animals, they seem to be aware of their own odorous potential, as they are careful not to spray on themselves when targeting a threat. Because distinguishing healthy skunks from those infected with rabies is difficult, professional removal is always necessary.

It’s not a coincidence that a skunk’s familiar putrid scent is more noticeable during the summer than the other seasons. Young skunk kits are mostly weaned from their mothers in mid-summer, 8-10 weeks after birth. At this time, the mother and kits are exploring their neighbourhoods, learning how to forage for grubs and insects. If a mother skunk feels threatened around her young, she is more likely to use her final line of defence, her familiar spray.

Skunks are excellent diggers and generally build their dens at ground level, which keeps them nice and cool during the warm weather. Since skunks are nocturnal, they spend the hot daytime tucked away in these shelters. Dens are commonly built underneath our decks, sheds and porches, which can pose an issue for homeowners. It should also be noted that even if the animal has moved on, leaving a den unattended is an open invitation for other wildlife to move in.

Skunk Facts

Skunks are renowned for the horrible smell they emit when injured, frightened or mating. The odour can remain on pets and in ventilation systems for weeks or months. But these animals can also cause significant damage to buildings and landscaping.

FACT: Skunks will burrow out dens under any structure without a foundation, which can cause weaknesses in porches, decks, or sheds. They are nocturnal (i.e. active at night), and will chew or burrow through wood and siding.

FACT: They will often dig up lawns and gardens to find their food. A large portion of a skunk’s diet is made up of insects, grubs and garbage.

FACT: The smell from skunk spray can remain on skin and pet hair for days, weeks and even months. It often enters the ventilation system and will spread throughout the building very quickly. The noxious chemical emitted by skunks is very pervasive.

FACT: Rabies-infected skunks cannot often be distinguished from healthy ones. Rabies is transmitted through saliva from the infected skunk to humans and pets, often through a bite. The number of cases of rabies in skunks exceeds that in raccoons or foxes. Skunks have been found with rabies throughout Canada.

FACT: Skunk spray can be highly noxious, causing nausea and vomiting. It also contains sulphuric acid, which can cause temporary blindness in pets and humans. Skunk spray is extremely difficult to remove from clothing, skin and hair. It can remain strong for long periods of time, affecting everyone who comes into contact with it.

FACT: Skunks are social animals and several families may congregate in a single den site. There are typically 4-6 babies (kits) in a litter.

FACT: The most effective method in getting rid of skunks is to remove all the skunks and completely seal the entire porch, shed or foundation from further entry by digging a trench and installing screening.

FACT: Skunk dens are often hard to access and a number of extraction techniques may be required. Killing or capturing the adult likely won’t solve the problem, since the babies may still be hiding in an inaccessible area under the building. Signs of digging and burrowing are the most common way to locate a skunk den. Damage to lawns and gardens may also be evident.

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