Skunk Identification and Safe Removal

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Skunks are primarily nocturnal and are most active in the early evening, typically emerging from their burrows about one hour after sunset in search of food.

• Den Locations: They prefer to make dens in safe, dark voids, such as under front steps, decks, or sheds.

• Social Habits: Skunks are usually solitary. However, they will den together for warmth in the winter months. In the spring, a male and female may den together briefly, after which the female will have one litter per year.

• Activity in Cold: Although they do not truly hibernate, skunks may go dormant and feed less during colder periods.

• Food Frenzy: Garbage night is a "smorgasbord night," when skunks emerge looking for an easy feast.

How to Identify a Skunk

• Appearance: Most skunks are black and white, though some can be brown or grey. They may have one or two stripes, or broken stripes and white spots across their back and tail.

• Senses: Skunks have excellent senses of smell and hearing, but their eyesight is extremely poor—they cannot see much beyond 10 feet.

• Defense Mechanism: They produce their offensive scent in two anal glands, which they deploy as a last resort. This powerful spray is preceded by a threatening dance of hissing, foot stamping, and tail raising.

PEST PRO EXTERMINATOR SOLUTION

Our strategy for skunk control focuses on safe and complete removal, followed by guaranteed exclusion.

• Primary Removal: The main method for solving a skunk problem is by live trapping and safely relocating the skunk to another area (in accordance with local regulations).

• Trapping Expertise: Pest Pro Exterminator uses a variety of different live traps, as not all traps are equally effective. When necessary, we use tools like a Pest Cam to help identify why a skunk is refusing to be caught.

• Permanent Exclusion: Once the skunks have been caught and removed, the final, crucial step is sealing all entrance points on the property to prevent future infestation.

  • We often use Dig Defence (heavy-duty wire mesh installed vertically into the ground) around front steps, decks, porches, sheds, and fence lines to physically prevent skunks from gaining access back to the protected area.

COMMON CONCERNS ADDRESSED

How do I know if I have a skunk under my front step?

The easiest, non-invasive way to confirm if an animal is using a den under a front step is the Newspaper Test:

1. Stuff the entrance hole loosely with newspaper in the early evening (after the skunk has likely left for the night).

2. In the morning, if the newspaper has been moved or pushed out, then an animal has passed through the area.

What can I use to remove skunk odor?

For clothing, putting the items directly into the washing machine will solve most immediate odor issues.

To remove skunk odor in vehicles, furniture, or other objects, we recommend using extra-strength Febreze. Apply twice, a few days apart, and this simple solution will remove approximately 98% of the skunk odor. Always read the label for specific directions.

I think I have a skunk on my property. Where do I look?

Perform a visual inspection during the day:

• Den Voids: Look for football-sized holes or voids under your front step, front porch, shed, and back deck. Skunks prefer smaller voids for long-term dens.

• Front Yard Focus: Check under the front step of each neighbor’s property as well. Front yards are very easy for skunks to roam because there are no fence lines to navigate around.