Skunk Trapping and Removal

A: Skunks are nocturnal creatures, so you may not see them during the day. However, there are some signs that you may have a skunk problem, including:

• A strong, unpleasant odor around your property
• Digging in your lawn or garden
• Scratching or digging noises at night
• Turned over trash cans
• Skunk sightings around your property

Skunk trapping can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. While you can get rid of a number of skunks with nothing more than a live trap with bait inside - the question is the amount of damage and inconvenience you will cause yourself in the process! Skunk's stinky spray, which they use as a defense mechanism, can last months in clothing! Worse yet, it can cause serious damage if it gets in your eye.

If you notice a skunk den, see skunk tracks, or suspect they are in your crawl spaces, it is recommended that you hire a professional skunk trapper to handle the trapping and removal process.

Generally speaking, skunks are not as aggressive as many animals. They have sharp claws and teeth, but they would rather spray you from a distance. If you leave skunks alone, they will usually do the same. Skunk damage usually only manifests itself through your sense of smell.The one exception to this is a skunk with rabies. Skunks are one of the most common carriers of rabies in the U.S. For Texas homeowners, the Texas Department of State Health Services provides rabies testing for skunks.

A: Professional skunk trappers will typically release the skunks in a safe, remote location far from your property. This ensures that the skunks won't return to your property and cause further problems.

Skunk removal services use a variety of humane traps and removal methods, including cage traps and exclusion devices. Once the skunk is trapped, it is safely removed from the property and relocated to a more suitable habitat.

Unfortunately, unless your local animal control officer is uniquely generous or has an affinity for skunks, your local animal control will not provide this service free of charge. They will sometimes help with unwanted critters or relocate a trapped animal, but their focus is usually more on domestic animals.

The cost of skunk removal services varies depending on the severity of the infestation and the methods used for removal. It's important to get a quote from a licensed and experienced skunk removal service before proceeding with any removal or exclusion services.

There are several steps you can take for skunk prevention, including:

• Removing any potential food sources, such as pet food - especially dry cat food, bird feeders, a chicken coop, fallen fruit, or garbage. Feeding pets indoors is highly recommended so it does not attract skunks and other wild animals in the neighborhood.
• Sealing up any holes or gaps in your home or property that may provide shelter for skunks, especially around your foundation or around a detached shed
• Installing motion-activated lights or sprinklers to discourage skunks from becoming too comfortable on your property
• Removing brush piles, hollow logs, or other debris that could provide protection or hinder removing skunks once the you have the captured animal
• Predator urine - while we have not had great success with predator urines at Critter Stop, some homeowners claim success. It is advisable to focus the urine where the skunk enters its den to ensure it smells the deterrent.

Remember, skunk trapping and removal should always be handled by a professional to ensure a safe and effective process.

If you find a dead skunk on your property, the first step should be checking local laws and regulations to make sure you comply with any dead animal handling procedures. While animal control, or another government department, will aid with a dead skunk on a roadway, if it is in your yard, skunks are often outside of their mandate.

Most wildlife removal companies can help with dead skunk removal. For homeowners in the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex, Critter Stop can certainly help you with this.

Striped Skunks

There are twelve skunk species around the world, with the most common in North America being striped skunks. A striped skunk will - as the name implies, be striped down the middle with two white lines along its back against its otherwise black fur.

Hooded Skunks

Another species common in Texas is hooded skunks, which have continuous, thick white fur along its back.

Hog-nosed Skunks

Texas is also home to hog-nosed skunks, which have a few different physical characteristics, with the most notable being their, you guessed it, hog-looking nose!

Spotted Skunks

Additionally, there are spotted skunks - with further delineation between eastern spotted skunk living in the eastern U.S. and the western spotted skunk living in the southwestern U.S.

Skunk spray can be difficult to remove and can linger for days. Here are some tips from hard-earned experience:

• Bathe your pet with a mixture of 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap.
• For clothing and bedding, mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of baking soda and add it to the wash cycle.
• For outdoor areas, mix 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of bleach and spray the affected area.

If your dog has been sprayed by a skunk, it is important to act fast to prevent the odor from spreading. Here are some steps to remove skunk spray from your dog:

1. Keep your dog outside to prevent the odor from spreading indoors.
2. Wear gloves and protective clothing to avoid getting skunk spray on yourself.
3. Mix 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Another option is a dedicated skunk odor removal shampoo.
4. Apply the mixture to your dog's fur, avoiding the eyes and mouth.
5. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water.

While the well-known old wives' tale advises using tomato juice, we have found shampoos made specifically for removing skunk odor, such as "De-Skunk" work better and are much cleaner to use.

If a skunk sprays inside your home, under the foundation, or in the crawl space, it can be difficult to remove the odor. Here are some tips for removing skunk smell in your house:

• Open windows and doors to ventilate the area.
• Place bowls of white vinegar around the affected area to absorb the odor.
• Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter to remove the odor from the air.
• Clean surfaces with a mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 gallon of water.

Overall, it is important to take the necessary precautions when dealing with skunks. If you are unsure about how to remove skunks from your property, it is recommended to seek professional help.

While they will occasionally get into a garage, skunks generally prefer burrowing under the home and searching for food in the flower beds. Usually, they are attracted to a food source, such as cat food, and do not intend to build a den in the garage. For this reason, we advise opening the garage door and giving the skunk time to leave on its own throughout the night.