Skunk Treatment
How Do I Identify A Skunk Problem?
Appearance- The average skunk is 20 to 30 inches from nose to tail. They typically weigh between 6 to 10 pounds. Skunks have distinctly striped black and white fur, and long claws which they use to dig.
Behavior - Skunks are nocturnal, and generally live alone. When threatened, skunks will release a foul smelling spray in their defense. They have strong forelegs which are used for digging for food and to create a den.
Skunks tend to shy away from humans; you may catch a glimpse of a skunk around your home if they have made themselves comfy on your property. Most skunks will not enter your home, but will often dig to create a den in a yard.
Why Could I Have Skunks?
Skunks are nocturnal and can find themselves anywhere from a rural farm, suburban home to an urban apartment. They are attracted to food, and each one of us has a garbage can full of delicious items that skunks would love to munch on. Often skunks will take up residence under a porch or shed where they can find shelter.
Why Should I Treat My Skunk Problem Immediately?
Skunks will spray if nervous or provoked. The liquid they spray out can get on your skin, clothes, and pets and while it may cause a little burn, the biggest issue is the amount of time the stench lingers - roughly four or five days.
While skunks can be beneficial by eating a lot of smaller pests such as grubs, moles and other pests that are known to harm vegetation, skunks can cause a lot of damage to your yard and garden.
Skunks causing damage outside your home can begin to cause issues like garbage becoming scattered which can attract other animals and a pose a health hazard for you and your family. At this point, it is best to contact a professional for skunk control.
How to Get Rid of Skunks
Many people think skunks are very cute. In fact, skunks are becoming more popular as pets. When they are kept as pets, their stink gland has to be removed. There is just no getting around it, skunks are cute, but they can stink a large area up. Pets, especially dogs, are prone to getting "skunked" as well. If you've ever tried to get a skunk's smell off a dog, you know how annoying this pest can be.
The best way to keep your yard, and pets, smelling nice is to get rid of any skunks in your vicinity. Here's how.
How Do I Spot a Skunk Problem?
The first step in keeping your home and yard free of skunks is to notice a skunk problem. There are a few ways to tell that skunks have set up shop in your yard.
- You see a skunk.
Skunks tend to be nocturnal. Unless they have been hit by a vehicle, it is unlikely that you will see them. However, look out for their distinctive black bodies with a white strip. If you see a skunk hanging around your yard, likely, it lives there. - Lots of holes in your yard.
Skunks will make holes in your yard, garden, and flowerbed. They usually dig three to four-inch holes as they search for food. This digging will damage yards and indicate you have a skunk problem. - Smells in your woodpile or under a building.
The best way to determine if skunks have invaded your yard is to smell them. They like to live in woodpiles or under buildings. So, if you smell a skunk in these areas, it is likely that a skunk lives there. - You notice skunk tracks.
Skunks have five toes and long claws. This gives them a very unique track. Seeing their tracks in your yard is much more likely than actually viewing a skunk.
How Do I Get Rid of Skunks?
Once you notice signs of a skunk, it is time to act. Skunks are not dangerous creatures—in fact, they do have some ecological benefits. But their spraying is a big problem. They can also spread rabies. Getting rid of the skunks in your yard is the only way to ensure no people or pets get sprayed with that terrible scent.
Here are a few ways of getting rid of a skunk that lives in your yard.
- Trap them.
A good way to get rid of a skunk is to trap it and physically remove it from your yard. This can be dangerous for the novice, however. It may be better to let a professional handle the trapping and relocation for you. - Contact pest removal services.
Put your zip code on our website to find the best skunk removal services in your area. At GoLocal Pest Control, we will connect you with the most efficient pest removal around. If you want to ensure the skunk doesn't come back, you need to consider professional skunk removal.
How to Prevent Skunks
Skunks are not aggressive animals, but they are big pests. Their stink makes them a nuisance to have in your yard. When they spray, their bad scent can linger on clothing, pets, and in your yard for days. The trick is to not let a skunk move into the neighborhood. Just follow the tips in this article for preventing skunks.
Why Do I Have Skunks?
As a wild animal, skunks are hard to keep out of your yard. They are nocturnal as well, so that makes them even harder to spot. There are a few things that may make your yard more appealing to skunks, however.
- There is food around that they want to eat.
Skunks are opportunistic feeders. They will eat whatever is around. That includes fruit, trash, and pet food. If these things are left out in your yard, they will attract skunks. - Your yard has a lot of grubs.
One of a skunk's favorite meals is grubs. They will use their claws to dig for grubs in your yard. This is especially true when the soil is wet. Grubs are pushed to the surface of the soil, where they are eaten by the skunk. So, a prime habitat for grubs will undoubtedly have a skunk problem. - They find a good spot for a den.
Skunks also need to find a good place to build a den. They often just dig a hole in the ground. However, they like secure locations. So, those holes may be dug under porches, in crawl spaces, or dense bushes. If you have a lot of places for a skunk den, a skunk problem is more likely.
How Do I Prevent Skunks?
You may never be able to keep out a solitary skunk. Often these pests are just passing through. But the following tips may help you keep the problem from getting out of hand or keep the skunk from deciding to live in your yard.
- Fill in any potential dens.
If there are holes in your yard, they should be filled. Empty places under porches or in crawl spaces should also be walled off. This will prevent skunks from building dens in your yard. - Put away all food sources, especially at night.
Skunks are likely coming into your yard because they've found food. Yards that do not provide food for the skunks will not be as attractive. It is a good idea to bring in pet food and secure your trash cans every night. This will help to keep skunks out of your yard. - Contact a good skunk removal service.
The best thing you can do to prevent skunks is to contact a good skunk removal service. These companies will help you secure your home and yard against a skunk invasion. At GoLocal Pest Control, we can help you find the top skunk removal services in your area. Contact us today to learn more.
What Do Skunks Look Like?
There are not many people who want skunk around. These pests can really be a nuisance in a yard, especially if something scares them. However, there is actually a growing movement of making skunks pets. The people who enjoy having skunks as a pet do have their scent pouches removed, though.
Skunks smell. That is the biggest identifying trait of these animals. However, it is better to recognize a skunk before they decide to release their scent. You will be much more likely to get out of the area without smelling.
How Many Species of Skunk Are There?
You may have heard that skunks are a rodent. That is actually not true. Skunks are part of the weasel subfamily. Its Latin name is Mustelidae. Animals in this subfamily include minks, otters, wolverines, badgers, and ferrets.
Skunks are not very old animals. The native North American species have only been dated to the early Pleistocene epoch, which was around 2.6 million years ago. When you consider that birds have been around since the age of the dinosaurs, 2.6 million years is young indeed.
Because of their relatively young age, there are not that many types of skunk. There are only twelve skunk species worldwide. Five species live in the United States. The five U.S. skunks are listed below.
- American hog-nosed skunk
- Hooded skunk
- Eastern spotted skunk
- Western spotted skunk
- Striped skunk
What Do Skunks Look Like?
Despite the small differences between the species, all skunks have a similar appearance. There are one species of pygmy skunk, but the rest are a similar size. They are all about the size of a cat, so they are usually about 19 inches long and weigh about fourteen pounds. Their large, puffy tails are usually 15 inches long, and so add a lot to the skunk's length.
Skunks are differentiated from other pests by their black fur and white stripes or markings on their back. The size, placement, and overall appearance of the stripe vary from species to species. Their location varies as well.
- American hog-nosed skunk:
This skunk species is most common in the southwest, but it can survive throughout North America. It has a broad, hog-like nose. It also has an all-white tail. - Hooded skunk:
Hood skunks look a lot like striped skunks. They live in the southwest states like Texas and New Mexico. They are bigger than striped skunks and usually have a patch of white fur that circles their neck. - Eastern spotted skunk:
The Eastern spotted skunk can be found in the eastern United States to Minnesota. They have a pattern of black and white on their back that looks like broken stripes. - Western spotted skunk:
This is a smaller skunk. It has brown, red, or black fur and three white stripes down its back. It primarily lives in the western United States. - Striped skunk:
This is the most common type of skunk in North America. If you see a skunk, it is likely a striped skunk. They look almost like the "classic" skunk, with black fur and a white strip or two down their back.
To get rid of the skunks on your property, contact GoLocal Pest Control today.
How to Find an Exterminator to Help with Skunks
Skunks are a big nuisance all around. When they get scared they spray their notorious scent. Additionally, they are scavengers that regularly get in trash bins and compost piles. Skunks are not dangerous to humans, but they sure are annoying.
If you notice signs of skunks in your yard, you need to call an exterminator fast. That smell is as hard to remove from clothes and pet fur as you imagine. The best exterminators can help you ensure that no skunks find your yard attractive ever again.
What Should I Look for in a Skunk Exterminator?
Skunks are common wildlife. But they are not always part of an exterminator's repertoire. You need to find an exterminator that can handle skunk control. To do that, you should ask these questions. They will help you narrow down your choices and ensure you are hiring a pest control company that aligns with you and your pest problem.
- What is your experience with skunk removal?
- Do you kill the skunks?
- Why should I remove skunks from my yard?
- Will the skunks return?
- How do I protect my yard from skunk invasions?
- Does your service come with guarantees or warranties?
- How long will the skunk treatment take?
- Do I need to leave my home as you treat for the skunks?
What Should I Expect from Skunk Exterminators?
A big part of skunk extermination is trapping. The exterminator is most likely to try and live trap the skunk, and then physically remove it from your yard. The skunk extermination process will likely look something like this.
- Inspection.
Most pest control appointments begin with an inspection. The technician does the inspection to learn where the skunks like to hang out in your yard. They will look for skunk nests and any other areas the skunks frequent. The inspection will also tell the technician the severity of your skunk problem. - Treatment.
As mentioned above, skunk treatment usually involves live trapping the animal. It will then be removed from your property. The technician may also give you advice on how to skunk-proof your yard. - Follow-up.
Some exterminators like to schedule follow-up appointments. These ensure the skunks have not returned. If you want follow-up appointments as part of your skunk control, make sure to discuss them with your exterminator.
How Do I Find an Exterminator to Help with Skunks?
Skunks are common all over the United States. But the best exterminators to help with skunks are usually local. They are used to skunk control in your unique area. Plus, you are much more likely to get personalized service when you use a local pest control company.
To find the top exterminator near you, you need GoLocal Pest Control. Our service provides the names of pre-screened and quality exterminators all over the country. When you use GoLocal Pest Control, you can trust you are getting the best skunk extermination anywhere. Contact us today to learn more.