by Sos Wildlife Control | Jul 3, 2017 | Skunk Control
Skunks have a bad reputation of being animals that will spray without warning, or if you grew up with Looney Toons you may be afraid that they will try and profess their love for you. Neither are true, skunks are not as dangerous as you think and only spray in self-defense. A skunk living under your shed or deck can become an nuisance especially if you cross it unknowingly.
Where do skunks usually reside inside homes?
- Crawl spaces
- Dens
- Under concrete slabs
- In your yard
- Your shed
- Under your deck
How can you tell if you have a skunk in or around your property?:
To the right is a picture of skunk tracks, which you can find in mud or softer ground.
The sounds of scrambling feet or scratching in your den, attic, or walls are also a good sign that a skunk has found a entry found into your home or onto your property.
When you think of the dangers a skunk you probably jump to one thought.
Skunk spray
A skunk’s natural form of self-defense to help them survive in the wild and fend off predators is their spray. It’s a mix sulphurous oil and contains a compound known as thiol which is usual present in rotting flesh and feces. The odor gets worse once it comes into contact with water.
So if you get sprayed, DO NOT USE WATER, it will make the smell stronger and last longer.
First thing you’ll want to do is NOT go inside, the odor will follow you and make your ordeal much worse.
For a step-by-step guide to what you should do when you get sprayed, click here
Skunks are a danger to any household pets too
It’s common for skunks to spray cats too especially when searching for a food source or if it wants cat food. If you come home your pet, or your pet comes to you with the scent of skunk spray on it there a few options to deal with it:
- Use Paul Krebaum’s “Baking Soda and peroxide” formula
- 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- ¼ cup of baking soda
- 1 to 2 teaspoons liquid soap (not detergent)
Wash your pet thoroughly and massage the mix into the fur, allow the solution to set for roughly 5 minutes until the oder is gone. Allowing the solution to set allows for the solution to really lift the smell off and lets oxygen molecules bond to the oder-causing thoils, neutralizing the smell.
It’s recommended that you wash your pet outdoors as soon as the solution is mixed.
As a precaution the solution can bring a stinging sensation to your eyes so your will want to wear protective gear like gloves and eye mask. Use lukewarm water for larger pets.
2) There are numerous over-the-counter products available for sale such as skunk shampoos, deodorants and sprays that can get rid of the skunk stench (but not to make your local skunk look fabulous unfortunately) and help get your cat, dog , or any pet the protection it needs.
Keep in mind the odor of skunk spray can even be spread by squirrels and skunks in the area that have been sprayed.
If you think your pets or the wildlife in your area are at risk of being sprayed by a skunk your best option is to get a trained technician that can provide effective, humane sunk control out there immediately to contain the situation before it gets bad.
Health risks of a skunk spray
Beyond the awful oder of a skunk spray, the spray can also cause serious health problems to you and any pets in the house:
- A skunk spray which is fairly close to the face can cause extreme discomfort and in some cases, temporary blindness. The first thing you should do if this happens is to flush the eyes and the mouth out immediately with water.
- Skunk sprays to the face can also lead to vomiting, drool, squinting, sneezing and seizures amongst pets.
- Thiol in skunk spray also leads to damage to red blood cells resulting in anemia (a condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells or of hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor and weariness.).
Skunks and baby skunks
Once a skunk gets comfortable somewhere it will want to start raising a family, which means your skunk problem has expanded exponentially. Baby skunks ,like most animals that are new to the world, are easy to scare and this means that they are very trigger happy with their spray.
When can you expect a baby skunk issue?
Early spring is usually birthing season for baby skunks. They stay in their dens for the first 6 to 8 weeks of life. Mother skunks tend to give birth to 4-6 babies at once.
Baby Skunk Removal
When faced with a baby skunk issue its best to call a technician to help you remove them, here’s why:
- It’s illegal to kill these animals
- Skunks are extremely protective of their young
- Baby skunks will spray at anything that moves
- There are specific regulations around how baby skunks and skunks can be relocated
During baby season, the technician will have to dig and find the babies to remove them from the property. Once the technician has all the babies they will put them in a safe insulated box near the one-way door for the mother to find. Eventually the mother will come relocate the babies to a new den. We provide humane, effective and ethical removal of all nuisance animals.
What can you do to prevent skunks from entering your property or taking up residence under your deck or shed?
Skunks tend to do most of their scavenging for food sources at night and tend to avoid light so a good preventative measure is to install lights with motion sensors in your yard. Keeping your back or front yard light on will also work.
Lawn motion detector sprinklers are also an effective method to keep skunks out as well.
What do skunks eat?
- Garbage
- Plants
- Any food left outside
Skunks tend to go right after gardens, garbage bins and any food left outside. Make sure you throw away any food left outside and that you secure your garbage bins with something heavy or a securing mechanism.
Use a wire mesh fence or chicken wire to keep the vegetables in your garden safe and install a motion sensor light as an extra precaution.
If you see any openings into dens, crawl spaces or the attic you’ll want to cover that with a steel mesh screen, one that can withstand a chewing and will secure tightly to the opening. If you arnt sure of any openings you can always call us for an assessment.
For future prevention our technicians can do a thorough inspection of possible entry points and weak spots in your home to prevent future racoon problems from plaguing your home. After finding some major entry points and others that have the potential to become entry points ,we give you options that take these problems and your property into account. We then seal off these entry points with galvanized steel mesh to prevent any entry whatsoever.
Give is a call if you have any concerns, questions or problems involving skunk removal or control at
by Sos Wildlife Control | Mar 27, 2017 | Skunk Control
Skunks are often cute and harmless animals from afar but once they spray, that is never the case; skunks are not the greatest choice of company to have wandering outside of your home and can easily become a nuisance to you, your family, pets and property.
Skunk Spray
Skunks are notorious for their rancid skunk smell. As a means of survival, animals develop defense mechanisms that help them survive in the wild and fend off predators. These methods include camouflaging, poison and the emission of foul odors -including skunk spray.
Skunk odor is a common problem that can be detected far from the targeted area due to its very distinguishable and foul smell. Skunk spray is a blend of sulphurous oils that are released when a skunk feels threatened, in order to fend away any predators. Skunks often spray this as their last defensive resort, because their bodies produce and withhold a limited amount of the skunk oil.
Skunk spray contains the compound known as thiol which is also present in rotting flesh and feces, giving it its strong and putrid scent. The odor is bad enough on its own but can only get worse once combined and reacted with water. This chemical reaction makes all attempts to wash the odor away backfire on a skunk’s threat. It also contains the compound thioacetate, which makes the smell last longer and harder to get rid off.
Skunk Spray and Domestic Pets
In addition to wild animals being sprayed, it is also quite common for skunks to spray domestic house pets as well, so it is important to take precautions for the safety of your pet. If your pet comes home with their fur smelling like skunk, there are a number of odor eliminating methods that you can try at home.
- Option 1: It can be difficult to remove the pungent skunk odor from thick dog coats but Paul Krebaum’s “baking soda and peroxide” formula can get the job done.
Mix the following ingredients in a bucket:
- 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 1/4 cup of baking soda
- 1 to 2 teaspoons liquid soap (not detergent)
Wash your pet thoroughly and massage the solution into the fur, letting the solution set for roughly 5 minutes or until the odor is gone. Repeat if necessary. Allowing it to set in the fur gives way for the chemical reactions between the solution and skunk oil compounds to take place; the oxygen molecules from the soapy solution bond to the odor-causing thiols, resulting in a neutralization reaction and the skunk odor finally eliminated!
It is recommended to wash your pet outdoors as soon as the solution is mixed. Moreover, the solution can bring a stinging sensation to the eyes and open cuts, so it is important to be mindful while washing your pet near the eye area and to do so while wearing gloves. Note: for bigger pets, add lukewarm water as needed to obtain full coverage.
- Option 2: There are numerous skunk odor removal products that you can purchase over the counter. Skunk shampoos, deodorants and sprays can be used to rid your pet of the skunk stench and will provide the odor control your pet needs.
Skunks And Pet Health Risks
Skunk smell is horrid and the pungent spray is not only harmful on the nose – it also poses multiple health risks. When a skunk sprays relatively close to an animal’s face, it can bring serious discomfort and in many cases, temporary blindness. If your pet has been sprayed in the face, make sure to flush the eyes and mouth with water immediately. Skunk spray can also cause animals to vomit, squint, drool, sneeze and have seizures.
The thiol component in skunk oil leads to the destruction of red blood cells, resulting in anemia. As a consequence of skunk spray, there have been a few cases of anemia among house pets. A dog was reportedly able to recover through a mild case of anemia. Another dog suffered from a severe case of anemia, and passed away after undergoing a seizure.
If your pet has been a victim of skunk spray, take the extra step forward and inspect the animal’s skin for any possible bite marks, seeing as skunks are one of the most common carriers of rabies. If your pet has been sprayed, the encounter with a rabid skunk is very unlikely. Although healthy skunks are most likely to spray other animals while rabies carrying skunks are more likely to exhibit extremely aggressive or fearless behaviour, it doesn’t hurt to check your pet for any bite marks.
Skunks and Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease among mammals that not only poses a threat to animals but to humans as well. It is transmitted through the spread of saliva, from bites or exposure to open wounds, and affects the central nervous system.
Some rabies symptoms include behavioural changes, loss of appetite, excessive drooling and becoming partially or completely paralyzed. Rabies is quite often fatal at the appearance of clinical signs; the infected can die within 7-10 days after showing symptoms.
In order to reduce the risk of obtaining rabies, have your pet under supervision while wandering outside; do not leave them unattended. Also, common rabies carriers (skunks, raccoons and foxes) are most active at night so try to let your pets out during the day as much as possible.
Skunks And Property Damage
From their rancid skunk spray to the possible transmissions of rabies, it is clear to see how skunks can pose a threat to you, your family and pets, but these creatures can be problematic towards your property as well. Skunks have a nasty habit of destroying home gardens by eating their way through fresh fruits and vegetables. They sometimes like to scavenge through human trash as well.
Another issue that skunks bring forward to homeowners is physical lawn destruction. Skunks like to dig 3-4 inch deep holes in the ground while on the search for small insects to eat. They also like to dig burrows under buildings and porches.
How To Avoid Skunks
Despite the many problems that skunks may cause, there are a number of ways to avoid these nuisances and to keep these creatures away from you, your home, your family and your pets.
Skunks are most active at night so to avoid them from sneaking around your property in the dark, consider installing lights in your yard and keep existing lights on to ward these rodents away. Investing in lawn motion detector sprinklers is also an open option to ward off unwanted pests.
Skunks are problematic because of their dietary habits. They dig holes in the ground and eat homegrown gardens, so installing fences and securing trash bins shut can discourage skunks from wandering onto your property!
If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS Wildlife Control Inc., we provide wildlife control services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective results every single time. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We are available 24/7, 365 days a year for emergency services, and can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait, call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection, removal and prevention to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.
Call SOS Wildlife 1.800.981.0330
by Sos Wildlife Control | Aug 25, 2016 | Skunk Control, Squirrel Control
Garden pests seem like a small problem, but these issues can actually escalate very quickly. Many people dismiss garden pests, as a small situation but this blog will help educate you on some of the damage that garden pests can do to your property.
When you think of raccoons you just think about them passing through, grabbing a quite bite from your garbage and simply leaving to go about their business, but what actually happens can be more of a problem than you think.
Raccoons are capable of so much. With their nimble hands and their level of intelligence, raccoons have the ability to get into people’s properties and raise their young or make a mess!
Raccoons are also susceptible to carrying parasites and if raccoons travel around your property a lot, these parasites could make it into your home. Some raccoons carry roundworms which is passed through feces. If a raccoon leaves droppings on people’s property, either a dog or a small child playing in the garden can catch something or bring it in the home
The damage roundworms cause should be taken very seriously
Skunks are known for their defensive ability to spray unpleasant smells, but skunks are capable of so much more! Skunks often find shelter under sheds or decks which is a nuisance for property owners who simply want to go about their day without fear of wildlife nearby. They are capable of catching certain disease or virus’s and are prone to digging up lawns both which are problems and concerns for people.
Here are a list of skunk concerns
- Skunks are susceptible to catching diseases and viruses. If contracted, the likelihood of it spreading to somebody on your property is increased.
- Skunks use their spray as a defense when feeling threatened. You never know if what you’re doing could aggravate the skunk, causing them to spray, leaving you with a foul odor that can last a while
- Some pets either get upset or excited when they see wildlife on the property. Either way, their reaction could startle wildlife which could cause them to respond unfavorably.
- Skunks like to dig in people’s yards. The reason for this is to feed on the larvae. Although they may find their meal for the day, all you’ll find are messes in your yard and garden.
Squirrels are interesting, adorable, quick footed mammals, but their appearance does not take away from the damage they can cause you and how that can cost you.
Some common squirrel problems include the following
- Squirrels chewing through roof vents
- Creating entry points through the outside of the property
- Biting through wires in the attic
- Leaving droppings on your property
- Making messes with the insulation
Squirrel, like other small mammals are also capable of contracting different diseases and viruses like rabies. Although not all squirrels have the virus, hosting skunks on your property only increases the likelihood of it spreading to somebody within the vicinity.
Birds although are an amazement when watching them from a far, can actually be a nuisance when the birds come down to being on your property. Some of the common bird problems that occur include
- Noisy bird sounds bothering people throughout the day
- Creating nests for their young and making messes in the process
- Leaving droppings all over the area (which in some cases can be toxic)
- Perching on your property could bother some
There are 3 specific birds that are considered as nuisance wildlife animals, and are the only ones that can be interfered with according to Ontario law. These birds include the Pigeon, the Sparrow and the Starlings.
There are several methods in conducting nuisance wildlife removal in your garden or on your property, and although they may work at first, the results are usually temporary and you may be faced with the same, or similar problem again (costing you more in the long run). With SOS Wildlife Control you can be sure that our methods are humane, professional and effective. Our technicians are trained, licensed and have years of experience when conducting wildlife removal processes. Whether you’re faced with a raccoon, squirrel or bird in your garden or anywhere else on your property, you can be sure that SOS Wildlife Control will give you the results you want.
If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS Wildlife, we provide superior wildlife removal for residential, commercial, and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective results every single time. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We are can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait and call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.
Call SOS Wildlife Control at 1.800.981.0330 for Markham Raccoon Removal!
by SOS Wildlife Control | Feb 24, 2016 | Skunk Control
Last Updated: June 2016
Let’s just say it. You’ve accepted the facts, you know you have to deal with it, you don’t want to but you know you need to, so you might as well get Toronto Skunk Removal. This can be a chore, for some, to feel like their day is interrupted by the need to call for a Toronto Skunk Removal service and wait until someone comes around to help get rid of the skunk. The alternative? You’re going to need to continue to have to deal with the nuisance of having wildlife indoors. The noises in the house, damage costs you’ll need to face, potential health risks you can get. You can conduct Toronto Skunk Removal yourself, though, right? Technically, you can try – but you probably don’t want to. The number of hazards you put yourself at risk of, potentially harming the animal, yourself or others isn’t the best deal. Perhaps opting for Toronto skunk removal isn’t so bad! It might actually be a great idea, to let a professional wildlife removal service take care of this business for you. Someone trust worthy, an expert with years of experience and conducts a humane practice. We think this is a great idea.
Skunk Removal
Toronto is a great large city, with opportunity at every corner, events to experience, different foods to try and people to meet. The variety of options you have in Toronto is countless, which makes it a fantastic place to live in. Unfortunately, the city also faces the need for wildlife control, specifically, Toronto skunk removal. The concrete jungle, downtown is filled with a whole bunch of nooks and crannies for skunks to hide in and get in through. They’re looking for shelter, food and water for themselves or their young, and if you’re a skunk, the city is a great place to find this. Not only does the core of the city host a population of skunks, but so does the rest of the GTA. More suburban areas, especially places near forestry or grassy areas with water sources as well as older homes or homes that require some maintenance work have their fair share of needing Toronto Skunk Removal.
Skunks
Skunks are interesting animals that are easy to spot. Well, stripe actually. Identifying a skunk is easy, but trying to deal with Toronto skunk removal yourself is not. Skunks come from the family of Mephitidae. They are smaller-medium sized mammals that are most easily identified by their black fur and the thick white stripe that goes along their back. Some skunks also grow fur that is grey, brown or beige in color (although the white stripe doesn’t change!) Another feature of skunks that is well known is the foul odor spray they omit in threatening situations. The spray comes from their anal scent glands and occurs when a skunk is being defensive.
Skunks breed late winter to early spring, from the month of February to march and give birth about 8 weeks later. Usually skunks product a batch of 5-6 young and care for them until they are independent. Skunks are omnivorous mammals. They will eat a variety of things from plants, roots and nuts, to smaller birds, rodents, eggs and more. Another thing you should know about skunks are that they are territorial. So coming up to close to a skunk, in her shelter or especially when her young is around, expect her to get defensive. This is one of the main reasons why we do not recommend people to conduct their own “do it yourself” method of Toronto Skunk Removal and recommend them to call for help instead.
Here are a couple interesting facts about skunks!
- Skunks will not use their spray immediately when threatened. They will show warning signs first
- Their spray takes time to ‘refill’, which is why they don’t use it sparingly
- Skunks are extremely adaptable which is why they are found in all sorts of places. They can make a habitat out different types of environments
- In Ontario, skunks are often one of the main carriers of the rabies virus
- Skunks are often thought to be nocturnal, when technically they are crepuscular ( they come out during dawn or night)
SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, Toronto Skunk Removal
When being faced for deal with Toronto skunk removal, you don’t need to be concerned with SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated taking care of it. Our technicians are licensed, trained, have years of experience when dealing with all sorts of wildlife control whether you need skunk removal to squirrel removal. In some cases, we have found situations where people have tried but were unsuccessful in evicting the skunk from their home themselves. Skunk removal requires professional service. Do it yourself methods have the potential to hurt somebody, hurt the skunk, damage your property further and it makes people at risk to more health concerns and disease. Skunks are one of the main carriers of the rabies virus in Canada. With skunks also being very territorial, they will put on an aggressive side and protect their family/shelter if they need to. If it is absolutely necessary to conduct skunk removal yourself, the City of Toronto has guidelines on how to do it. Another thing to be aware of are baby skunks. When baby skunks are involved the process of Toronto skunk removal requires the need of more care and gentle precautions as to not harm the baby skunk and to keep them with their mother. SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated has the proper knowledge and technique required to keep everybody safe, including the skunks, while being effective.
If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we provide superior skunk removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait and call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated 1.800.981.0330 for Skunk Removal!
by SOS Wildlife Control | Feb 8, 2016 | Skunk Control
Last Updated: June 2016
We always see those videos floating around online of baby animals being rescued from a natural disaster or some other tragic event – but have you ever wondered what you would do, or what you’re supposed to do if you had been the one to find it? Every once in a while, we will receive call about baby skunk removal, what to do when they are found, how to handle them, if they should handle them and help on what to do as next steps. In most situations, the best answer is to call for a professional. Babies of any species are fragile and dependent, which is why it is always important that special precautions are taken in the event where you encounter one. Things become even more complicated when the baby is orphaned or injured which could sometimes be difficult to recognize for people who don’t often find themselves in these types of situations (if injured animal found, contact Toronto Animal Services). Another factor to consider when finding a baby animal is the species because although babies are babies, different animals behave differently when it comes to their young. For these reasons and more, for the sake of the young animal and their mother, it’s best to request the aid of someone you can trust to take care of this professionally.
Baby skunk removal
NO mother in sight
The process of baby skunk removal needs to be handled carefully as there are many things that could go unexpectedly and many factors to consider. In the case where you happen to see a baby skunk(s), with their mother missing, there are a couple things you should do. Skunks are nocturnal, so most of their activity occurs during the night time. If you see baby skunks alone in the day, there may be some reason to be concerned. Mother skunks don’t often stray too far from their young unless it is to gather food to bring back to feed, so if the babies are alone, monitor them first for a little while to see if the mother shows up. If there are no signs for a significant amount of time, you can assume that the babies might be orphaned which could be due to getting hit by a car, a predator, or trapped and removed without her young. When you do see the need for baby skunk removal for baby skunks who are orphaned, call a wildlife removal service company to assist you in the process.
If you are desperate and you must move the animals yourself, start by wearing thick gloves and covering any exposed skin as a precaution. Scared wildlife will try to defend themselves and skunks may do so by either spraying or biting if they can. Very carefully draw the skunks out from where they are, pick them up and place them in a warm comfortable box. Do not feed the skunks or try to domesticate/raise them. Call for a wildlife rehabilitator like Toronto Wildlife Centre to give you directions. While waiting for action or response, keep an eye out on the skunks to see if their mother returns and look out for predators nearby who can harm them. Record any unusual or noteworthy behavior just in case to tell the rehabilitator or wildlife removal service.
WITH mother nearby
One of the main reasons why it is very important to seek out a professional when removing wildlife from your property is to avoid separating babies from their mother. In some situations when ‘Do It Yourself’ Skunk Removal methods are taken, they are unknowingly trapping baby skunk away from their mother leaving them orphaned and in danger of starvation. Professional wildlife removal companies such as SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated will know where to look, at what time of year to look and how to properly assess the entire situation before taking any sort of action. When baby skunk removal is required, the process begins by temporarily keeping the mother away from her young as to safely move the baby skunk from their spot. This keeps the technicians from being bitten or sprayed by the mother. Once the mother has fled, it’s safe to move the baby skunks into a heated cozy box easily visible for the mother to find. The hole where the skunk originally entered through gets patched and preventative measures are taken to keep the skunks from re-entering your home. While the baby skunks are in their box, an eye is kept out on them as they await to be reunited with their mother. The mother returns to find the box, picks up and moves them one by one to a new location away from your home.
About Baby Skunks
- Skunks are born in a litter of about 4-6 babies
- Baby skunk are born in the spring time
- Very young baby skunks are unable to use their defensive spray for a couple of weeks
- Skunks are nocturnal mammals
- Baby skunks are born blind and have no teeth heavily relying on their mother for survival
- Do not feed baby skunks as they can have bad reactions to the wrong type of food or drink
- Skunks do not hibernate but will avoid harsh cold weather when necessary
To keep our wildlife safe, it is always best to call for an expert. Baby skunk removal done poorly can result in injuring or orphaning the baby. Poorly done skunk removal can also lead to you getting hurt or sprayed which is something that is best avoided. Prevention methods are also recommended to avoid facing a skunk/baby skunk removal issue in the first place. Call a wildlife removal service company to help skunk-proof your home before any damage is done.
If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we provide superior baby skunk removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait and call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated at 1.800.981.0330 for Baby Skunk Removal!
by SOS Wildlife Control | Jan 11, 2016 | Helpful Tips, Skunk Control
Last Updated: May 2016
Being well informed is a great way to keep you and your family away from having to deal with getting rid of skunks throughout the year. Now, with the colder weather upon us, wildlife is more likely to make a habitat out of your property, either under your porches, beneath the sheds, around a wood pile etc. Unfortunately, getting rid of skunks can be tricky. Although not poisonous, their foul defensive spray is something that most people would like to avoid being hit by. This spray leaves victims feeling uncomfortable with a terrible stench that is difficult to remove and may cause burning sensation if sprayed into your eye.
Getting rid of skunks effectively means having to know a little bit about them and their behavior here in Ontario. Here are a couple things you should know about skunks:
Skunk Facts
- A skunk’s main habitat are grassy areas, but they are known to be extremely adaptable and are found in urban areas, making a home out of places like under buildings, porches etc.
- Skunks, more specifically the striped skunk, are found in North America and can be seen all over Ontario
- Skunks produce and excrete a foul smelling spray when threatened. Warnings are given out first to deter from using their spray, as it takes time to “refill”
- A skunk will give out a warning by raising their tail. They may also stomp in circles or omit a hissing noise before they spray
- These mammals breed around February/March and have a gestation period of about 8 weeks. Skunks produce a litter of 4-7 baby skunks at a time
- Skunks are omnivorous, they eat both plant and meat. Their diet often consists of smaller rodents, larvae, earthworms, berries, nuts and more
- Skunks are nocturnal. They become more active at night which makes getting rid of skunks easier in the day
To avoid hosting and having a potential skunk problems there are a couple things that you can do, such as keeping your yard clean and free from garbage or pet foods. When skunks recognize this as a food source, they are likely to return make a habitat out of a space nearby. Grub and larvae come out of grassy areas or lawns in or after heavy rain or watering. Skunks also see this as food source, so avoid over-watering or keep an eye out during wet weather conditions.
Skunks do not mean any harm for no reason. When they attack, they are simply being defensive for either their own protection, the protection of their young or their territory. This is why getting rid of skunks is more difficult than preventing them from coming on to your property in the first place. Therefore, it’s best to take measures earlier than later. But in the event of a skunk already living on your property, this is what you can do.
Getting Rid of Skunks on Your Property
Please do not face a skunk head on. We do not recommend taking DIY approaches to facing a skunk, always seek out a professional technician to do this. These measures below are only to be conducted when the skunk is clearly out of site.
- Look for the entrance to their den. It is often a dark cornered area. Keep a look out for spaces beneath the porch or holes around the shed.
- Once found, fill the entrance with a temporary barrier (balled up paper) that can be broken out of.
- If the barrier remains intact for 4-5 days and there are no longer any sign of a skunk living there, the entrance can be sealed permanently
- If the barrier is disturbed, a skunk or other wildlife may be living there. Do not seal the entrance permanently.
- If the skunk is still living in that space, encourage it to leave by keeping on bright lights, making noises or install a one-way door to keep it from coming in (keep a look out for young skunks, as a one-way door should not be installed if a skunk is caring for her young in that space. In the event where you are faced with baby skunks, call a professional wildlife removal company to assist you).
- Once gone, permanently seal the entrance and look for other spaces where a skunk could relocate.
If you are having trouble getting rid of skunks, hopefully these steps can help you be skunk-free. In any event, if you are still experiencing difficulty with them, give us a call and we’ll assist you in safe, humane skunk removal. At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we provide superior wildlife removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated 1.800.981.0330 for Wildlife Control!
