Frequently asked Questions about Skunks | How to Get Rid of Skunks

A. While famous for their smell, that isn't the only problem that comes with skunks. Skunks dig and burrow. They dig holes in gardens, lawns and golf courses. They damage crops. Skunks are omnivorous and include poultry and eggs in their diet when available. Skunks damage property, scare people, injure pets, threaten your physical and mental health and keep you up at night.

Skunks become a nuisance when they come into the human world.

Q. Why did the skunks pick my house?

A. Skunks pick houses based on curb appeal. Your home must be attractive. Look around to see if you have food available, like bird feeders, garbage, gardens, lawn grubs or pet food. If any of these are present, skunks see a good place to eat and chances are they will want to move right in. Also, homes that have crawl spaces, decks, or porches with open but protected space underneath are appealing to critters.

Q. Why do I need to get rid of skunks?

A. Often the answer is right under your nose! The smell of skunk is very unpleasant. Skunks will gladly take up residence under sheds, decks or porches. They scent mark their territory to let other animals know a spot has been claimed. There is always the concern that one night you or a child or pet will stumble across a skunk our searching for food and become a victim of the spray. Skunks are very accurate and a direct hit can send the victim into shock. Even if nothing this dramatic happens, the outside of your homes is threatened when your landscaping is damaged by the digging and grubbing of the skunk searching for food.

Q. When do skunks come into houses?

A. Skunks don't regularly seek to enter houses, but do occasionally end up inside homes through pet doors. This is alarming and obviously dangerous. Contact us immediately!

More often, skunks end up under houses in crawl spaces or under porches or in outbuildings. They seek shelter when mating, raising babies, and for wintertime. Again, call us. We can help.

Q. When is the best time to get rid of skunks?

A. As soon as you suspect you have a skunk it is time to act. Delay allows the skunk smell to permeate your home, becoming very hard to remove. Delay also increases the chances of a direct encounter with the animal or the outbreak of disease or illness.

Q. Where do skunks live?

A. Skunks are found throughout North America and in a variety of natural habitats-river bottoms, under rocks and logs, anywhere there is food, water and shelter. Skunks live in the human world very successfully and in some areas their population has actually increased through human contact due to increased food sources. Skunks like to live in holes and will use existing ones, like space under decks, or create their own by digging and burrowing. Their digging can undermine foundations. Skunks are nocturnal and are often not noticed in an area until their smell gives them away.

Q. Where do skunks usually enter a building?

A. Skunks are burrowers and diggers. They search out weak points and enter through gaps in the foundation or by creating a hole themselves to access crawl spaces or under sheds, porches and decks. Woodpiles, automobiles or scrap piles also make good skunk homes.

Q. How do I know if I have skunks on my property?

A. Skunks are not subtle and leave a trail that your nose will not miss. Scent is usually the first thing people notice. But, there are other signs. If you see 3-4 inch cone shaped holes in your lawn or golf course, it is probably from skunks. Garden damage, especially low down, like the lower ears of corn stalks, is another good indicator. Lawn damage might mean a skunk is just passing through, so you must also listen and look for signs around your home. There will be access holes with trails or paths leading to them. Skunks also make night noises under buildings or porches and decks.

Q. Where can I get help with my skunk problem?

A. Call us. We are professional skunk removers and have trained technicians who can help you get rid of the skunks, keep them out, and clean up the mess.

Health & Safety

Q. What are the health risks of having skunks in my residential or commercial building?

A. Skunks are primary carriers of rabies, and in some areas are the leading carriers. You should be especially cautious around any skunk you see active during the day. Skunks also carry distemper, which can be deadly to dogs. Skunks carry many other pests including ticks, fleas and mites, which themselves carry a number of diseases.

Q. Will the skunks attack me?

A. While skunks are generally passive, they will attack if they feel sufficiently threatened. They have been known to bite curious dogs or cats. The biggest threat from skunks is their smell. It is absolutely overwhelming, long lasting and extremely difficult to get rid of. You do not want to make a skunk angry; if you do, it is an experience you will not forget. In nature, even bears will give skunks a wide path. They know these animals demand respect.

Q. Who is responsible for this skunk problem?

A. You, the property owner, are responsible, but that doesn't mean you have to take care of it yourself. Government agencies are helpful for problem domestic animals (like dogs) or big game (like deer, elk or cougars), but not for skunks. Skunks are considered nuisance wild animals and are best removed by trained professionals like us who specialize in skunk removal. We are ready and able to help you with your animal problems.

Skunks are confident of their ability to defend themselves and will not hesitate to bite, scratch and spray humans. Our skunk removal specialists will remove skunks, and share our expert skunk-prevention ideas and methods with you. You will be glad you hired a professional and relieved to have your property skunk free.

Animal Control Products and Methods

Q. Which poisons do you recommend to kill skunks?

A. There are no poisons available which are labeled and approved for skunks. You may hear about homemade poisons, but consider having a dead skunk rotting under your porch and you will know why we do not recommend poisoning. The most effective method for skunk removal is trapping.

Q. Which skunk repellents are the best?

A. There are no very effective skunk repellents available. For more information see our Pricing Page.

Q. Which methods do you use to exterminate skunks?

A. We try to avoid killing skunks on client property at any time. It is very difficult to kill a skunk without a spray discharge. We relocate animals whenever possible, depending on local and state regulations. Licenses and permits are often required. If the animal must be killed, we prefer euthanasia in a CO Chamber. Note also that some species of skunk are protected by law and killing them is illegal. We recommend that you contact our skunk removal specialists and avoid running into trouble with the skunks or the law.

Q. Which methods do you use to get rid of skunks?

A. We usually trap skunks and depending on city, county, state and federal regulations, we will either relocate or euthanize the animal. The animals are treated humanely. Even when the skunk is gone, the smell will linger and our skunk removal can (and probably should) include deodorization and other necessary clean up.

Q. How can I get rid of skunk odors?

A. The products generally available on the retail market don't work very well. We have special chemicals to clean up your pets, furniture and other fabrics. We also apply fragrances and deodorizers to remove and mask any remaining odor. It is important to act quickly after something or someone has been sprayed so the spray has less time to sink in. The faster we get there, the better. We have deodorizing machines that cleanse the air and prevent the vapor from settling and soaking into fabrics. If you think you might prefer to wait for it to go away on its own, consider that you will be in for quite a long wait. Skunk smell can linger for up to 3 years.

If the skunk has died, the smell will be overwhelming, but we can still help. We will remove and dispose of the carcass, clean up the associated bio-hazards and then perform odor control.

If it is your pet that has brought the odor home, or if the odor is being shared from a neighbor's house, we can get rid of that, too. No matter the source, we can help you with skunk-odor removal. Remember time is of the essence! Call us at 1 888-488-7720.

Q. Who should I call for help?

A. Call Allstate Animal Control. We have helped many people get rid of skunks under decks, in sheds, from crawl spaces window wells and many other interesting locations. Our products and methods are effective and we have the experience and expertise you need.

Q. Why should I hire a professional to get rid of skunks?

A. Skunks are relatively easy to trap, but hard to get rid of. If you trap a skunk, what next? A trapped skunk is not a happy skunk and is ready to defend itself. This is definitely a situation for a professional. Let us put our experience and equipment to work for you and avoid the personal danger inherent in dealing with an angry skunk.

Property Damage

Q. What damage can skunks cause?

A. Mostly odor damage and digging. Apart from damage caused by spray, which carries physical and mental health risks, skunks cause considerable property damage. Lawn damage due to digging, "grubbing" and burrowing and undermining decks, sheds or foundations are common. Skunks kill poultry and eat eggs. They scatter garbage. They destroy gardens, damage bee hives and tear up ornamental plants. Their spray damages carpet, furniture, draperies, and clothing for a very long time.

Q. What is this going to do to my property value?

A. Property value can decrease 5-10%. The smell repels buyers. We can protect your investment. Give us a call.

Q. What can a wildlife removal technician do about the skunks in my building?

A. First, we'll give you ideas about why the skunk is there in the first place so you can avoid having this experience again. We will inspect your property to determine where the skunks are living and to get an idea of their habits. Skunks often have multiple dens and all must be located and included in a skunk control plan. We will remove the skunks by trapping. After the skunks are gone, we will clean and deodorize as needed. Finally, we will work with you to put exclusion materials, like fencing, in place to keep more skunks from moving in. If necessary, we also remove dead skunks and properly dispose of the carcass. Our professional, humane methods will leave your home or other building safe for family, visitors and workers.

Q. How can a wildlife removal technician help me get rid of the skunks?

A. Our technicians are experts at skunk removal. We will evaluate your problem, locate the skunk dens, live-trap and remove the skunks and then help to clean up the mess and odor the skunks leave behind. Our services address all aspects of skunk problems, from odor to biohazards, and will leave your home safe for you and your family.

Costs

A. For specific information, see our Pricing Page.

Q. What does it cost for an initial over-the-phone skunk control consultation?

A. FREE! Send me 5-10 pictures via e-mail and I will review them and call you to recommend a solution and give you an estimate. Pictures should include possible skunk entrances, all four sides of building, decks, porches or similar areas and anything else you think might be important.

Q. Who pays for my skunk problem?

A. Skunks are the responsibility of the property owner. You can attempt to get rid of them and clean up yourself, but I recommend that you contact us, your skunk removal specialists. Typically skunk removal starts with an inspection and evaluation which costs $150-250, depending on your location. You may want to contact your property insurance carrier; your policy may include coverage for removal and clean up of pest animals.

Q. What FREE skunk control services does your company offer?

A. If you find an animal problem on your property, take 5-10 digital pictures and e-mail them to us (use the Contact Us page). We will call you on the phone and discuss your situation for a few minutes and suggest a plan of action, as time allows.

Q. How much will it cost to get rid of the skunks?

A. Prices vary depending on your location, number of animals and severity of the problem. I can give you a FREE estimate over the phone using digital pictures you e-mail me. For additional information, see our Pricing Page