While different wildlife can wander into our yards, a skunk might be the most unwelcome. No one wants the smell of one lingering on their property. Aside from their odorous scent, they have other habits that can rile up homeowners. They become a nuisance when they burrow under homes, get into garbage cans and dig up holes in lawns to search for grub.
If you have these smelly creatures in your yard, you might be wondering how they got there in the first place. Can skunks climb? Here’s a closer look at how they move about and what you can do to keep them away.
If you need backup, don’t hesitate to contact wildlife control specialists. They have the tools and expertise to manage the skunk population on your property. These experts can also address other pest issues, like identifying possums versus opossums.
Can Skunks Climb? Here’s How They Get Onto Your Property
Skunks have sharp and powerful claws that are perfect for digging. While they are excellent diggers, we can’t say the same for their climbing skills. It doesn’t help that they have heavy bodies that are difficult to hoist up. That makes most skunks poor climbers, although their abilities differ per species.
Striped skunks, the most common species in the U.S., aren’t the best climbers. They can climb wire meshes, boards and fences, allowing them to enter your property. However, they shy away from trees. On the other hand, spotted skunks are excellent climbers and will ascend trees with ease. They also like to show off by climbing down trees headfirst. Because of their climbing skills, spotted skunks can use attics as dens.
Since most skunks aren’t talented climbers, it can be easier to keep them out than climbing animals. These tips can help ward off these stinky mammals.
Install Underground Fencing
Skunks have a habit of digging under sheds, decks and porches, as well as building dens there. These spots provide overhead shelter, helping them feel safe. You can prevent them from nesting on your property by installing underground fencing around these structures. That cuts off their access to shelter, giving them less reason to stick around.
Eliminate Food Sources
Aside from finding shelter, food is another reason skunks come into our properties. These opportunistic omnivores aren’t picky and will settle for anything, including pet food and garbage. If you feed your pets outside, clean up immediately after they eat. Better yet, feed them indoors. In addition, secure your garbage bins so skunks can’t get into them. It also helps to keep fish and meat out of your compost bins.
Maintain a Clear Perimeter and Tidy Up Your Yard
Skunks move from property to property by sneaking around bushes and shrubbery. If these plants are close to your home, it will be easier for skunks to navigate your space undetected. Make your property unappealing to them by trimming greenery back and creating a perimeter around your home. Also, they love cozying up under rock piles and woodpiles. They will feel even more unwelcome if you tidy up your yard and remove these items and other clutter.
Use Motion Sensor Lights
Skunks are typically shy and nocturnal, preferring to forage for food at night while homeowners are asleep. If you don’t want them wandering around your property, installing motion sensor lights may help scare them away.
Get Professional Help
The most effective way to keep the skunks away is with the help of wildlife control specialists. They will remove the skunks living on your property. You can also schedule regular checks with your specialist so they can sniff out any hidden skunk dens on your property. In addition, they can address other pest problems you might have, like how to get rid of rodents in the attic.
What Attracts Skunks to Your Yard?
Skunks can be beneficial to your garden. They eat insects and pests that can harm your beloved garden, including small rodents and grubs. While skunks can benefit the ecosystem, not all homeowners want to share their property with them, especially if they have children and pets.
So, what brings these mammals to your property? These are the three main reasons.
Food
If you spot skunks wandering around your property, they are probably searching for their next meal. Opportunists at heart, these omnivores will dig into almost anything they can find. That includes fruits, nuts, insects and plants. They’re excellent hunters, too, and will go after toads, mice and other small prey. Even your food scraps and garbage can be a source of nutrition for them.
You can lessen their food sources by controlling your property’s insect and animal population. A wildlife control specialist can help with this. You might also be unknowingly leaving out food sources for these resourceful animals. Make sure to quickly clean up after your pets if you feed them outside. In addition, keep your garbage cans and compost bins tightly sealed so they can’t go rummaging in them. It also helps to eliminate water sources on your property so they can’t quench their thirst.
Shelter
Female skunks are always looking for spaces to keep their babies safe and warm. Unfortunately, there are plenty of convenient denning sites for them on your property. These include sheds, porches and crawl spaces. Even rock piles, woodpiles and concrete slabs can be shelter for them. Installing underground fencing around the structures on your property and eliminating clutter in your yard can help prevent skunks from creating dens.
If you already have skunk dens on your property, don’t try to evict the inhabitants yourself. While skunks aren’t usually aggressive, they might spray you if they feel harassed or threatened. Leave this task to wildlife control specialists. They know how to manage these pests. These experts can also answer other pest-related questions, like how high rats can jump.
Breeding Season
If you notice more skunk activity in your yard, it might be the breeding season for these mammals. Female skunks typically give birth in the late spring. They will then lead their young to hunt and forage 60 days later. That explains why skunks are building dens and wandering around on your property.
The most effective way to manage skunk populations is to let wildlife control specialists take over.
Will Keeping a Light on Keep Skunks Away?
Skunks are nocturnal creatures with light-sensitive eyes. Installing bright lights can help prevent them from hunting and foraging on your property after dark. You can use motion sensor lights to catch them in action and scare them off when they come close. Consider using outdoor solar-powered lights if you’re worried about driving up your utility bills.
However, lights alone aren’t a complete solution to skunk problems. They are confident in their spraying skills and might soon gain the courage to ignore bright lights.
Professional Help
While skunks aren’t known to be aggressive, you might get a taste of their noxious spray if they feel threatened. Let a wildlife control specialist handle the skunks on your property.
Contact the Pros to Handle Your Pest Problems
Skunks and other pests can be stressful. Spare yourself the headache and let wildlife control specialists take over. They will provide effective solutions to manage a pest population on your property and make your home uninviting to them.
ABC Can Handle Your Skunk Problem
There are too many risks involved in handling a skunk problem on your own: skunks could spray, you could be skirting the law and you might not be able to get rid of all of the skunks on your property on your own. For effective skunk removal and prevention, turn to the wildlife control experts. Homeowners trust the team at ABC Home & Commercial Services to remove skunks and take the necessary steps to prevent future infestations.
