Need to get rid of skunks? Submit a
quote request or call us at
1-877-222-9453.
Skunk in den under
house foundation
Damage from
skunk burrowing
Skunk in baby
box
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.
Skunks will burrow out
dens under any structure without a
foundation, such as porches, decks, or
sheds. They are nocturnal (i.e. active at
night), and will chew or burrow through wood
and siding.
FACT:
Skunks tend to burrow
out their dens, which can cause
weaknesses in porches, decks, sheds and
foundations.
A large potion of a
skunk’s diet is made up of insects, grubs
and garbage.
FACT:
They will often dig up
lawns and gardens to find their food.
The noxious chemical
emitted by skunks is very pervasive.
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.
Health Risks
from Skunks
The number of cases of
rabies in skunks exceeds that in raccoons or
foxes. Skunks have been found with rabies
throughout Canada.
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.
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:
Skunk spray can be
highly noxious, causing nausea and
vomiting. It also contains sulphuric acid, which can cause
temporary blindness in pets and humans.
Skunks - How to Find Them
Signs of digging and
burrowing are the most common way to locate
a skunk den. Damage to lawns and gardens may
also be evident.
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.
How to Get Rid of Skunks
Simply patching the entry
hole doesn’t work. They will dig a new
opening to regain entry or find their young.
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.
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.
FACT:
Skunk dens are often
hard to access and a number of
extraction techniques may be required.
REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION
Looking for ways to get rid of skunks? Submit a
quote request or call us at
1-877-222-9453.
