Skunk Removal

Tendencies and Symptoms of a Skunk Problem

Often times, striped skunks tend to dig burrows or dens under low slung decks, porches, and even slab foundations found under garages and sheds. The most obvious sign that it is a skunk you are dealing with is the scent. Skunk dens generally emanate skunk odor into the surrounding area, and even into your home. Other characteristics of  skunks you may find are damage to lattice or skirting under your deck, trails or footpaths, visible digging or tunneling, and evidence of “grubbing” in your lawn. Grubbing will appear as intermittent scraped or scratched patches throughout the feeding area (your lawn).

Motives

The skunk, generally solitary, in most cases will develop a den underneath your structure. They intend to use this den for many purposes including shelter from the elements, safe haven from predators, food cacheing, hibernation, mating, and rearing their young.

Risks

Skunks tend to be one of the most docile and harmless animals we deal with, however there are certainly many risks involved with having skunks around your home. Foremost of which, skunks are a vector for the rabies virus, and may be carrying it even if they do not show symptoms.

“…The striped skunk seems to be particularly vulnerable to rabies, and in New York, is second only to the red fox in the rate of infection with this disease. Rabid skunks tend to be diurnal in their habits, and can be very aggressive. They occasionally attack other animals such as livestock, pets, and man.” SUNY ESF

In addition to rabies, skunks bring an assortment of other negative consequences with them. Skunk spray is very powerful. Having skunks develop a community around you will generally increase the risk of you or your pet coming into contact with a skunk and potentially getting spayed. A conflict, however, is not necessary for skunk odor to be a problem. Skunk odor may emanate from around the den potentially contaminating the air quality around your property or even in your home. Presence of skunks could potentially cause attraction of other animals including more skunks, allies like Opossums, and even predators like Coyotes. Digging from skunks may also undermine foundations, or otherwise compromise the structural stability of footings on your building or porch.

Skunk Removal

We are trained to employ a variety of methods of skunk removal to deal with your individual skunk problem. We use humane trapping methods, and exclusion to rid you of your unwanted guest. We utilize time tested methods for prevention of the problem, once the skunk removal process is complete. By installing heavy gauge screening under your deck, porch, or foundation, we can eliminate the possibility of reentry. We are confident enough in the process that we include a standard 5 year skunk free guarantee on all our skunk removal and prevention work.

Clean up/ remediation

After the removal of skunks, many clients experience lingering odors. We offer a chemical disinfection to deodorize and sanitize the area. This will alleviate the odor for your comfort as well as to prevent curious neighboring wildlife from investigating. If odors have seeped into the structure, we are prepared to remove the insulation, framing, sheetrock or whatever else may be scented up and replace them with competent carpentry.

Longterm

Skunk removal can be a formidable challenge. As trained wildlife control and removal experts we are capable of solving this issue permanently, guaranteed for your piece of mind.

Pricing

Please ask about our affordable pricing for skunk (and woodchuck) remediation.

 

Fast Facts: Striped Skunk

Avg. Life Span

4-6 years

Mating Season

Late Feb through March

Weight

6-12 lbs.

Gestation

62-75 days

Length

20-30″

Litter Size

4-7 young

Diet

Omnivorous

Weaning

2 months

Want to learn more about how we safely handle wildlife nuisances and protect your home? Read about our recent skunk removal success story in Nassau County here!

Let us help. Contact Hudson Valley Wildlife Solutions today!