How To Prevent Skunk Sprays
Skunks are most well-known for the extremely foul-smelling spray they will release on potential predators or anything they perceive as a threat, including you or your curious dog. The aftermath of a skunk spray can be very unpleasant, as the smell is unbearable and also extremely difficult to remove from clothes, and even harder to remove from dog fur. Skunks will also den underneath porches and decks, and often spray to mark their territory, which can leave your entire yard smelling like skunk. The best way to deal with a skunk spray is to prevent one from occurring in the first place, but we have to look at why they spray and the warning signs you can look out for.
Why Do Skunks Spray?
Skunk spray was developed as an evolutionary defense against predators or anything else that wants to do harm to the skunk. Skunks aren’t quite as trigger-happy with their spray in real life as they are in TV or movies, but skunks tend to use their spray when they are startled or disoriented, which can happen when you accidentally stumble over one when going to take your trash out at night. Skunks only spray what they perceive as threats, their eyesight is fairly poor, and the range of their spray is only about ten feet. If you run into a skunk, don’t wave your arms or make loud noises, as this will alert and startle the skunk. Simply quietly backing away until you are at least ten feet away from the skunk is your best chance to avoid a spray. Thankfully, skunks tend to give you a few warnings before they spray. Skunks will raise their rear end in the air, adopt a wide stance, stamp their feet, and let out a low growl. This behavior is always a surefire warning that the next step is spraying!
How To Avoid Skunks
Skunks are mostly nocturnal animals, as their favorite source of food is insects, grubs, and earthworms that they can dig up from your yard, and these bugs are more active during the nighttime. Additionally, the night provides good cover for them against potential predators.
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Avoid going out into your yard or the woods at night to avoid spotting one of these critters. Unfortunately, skunks will often build their dens on your property, underneath decks, sheds, porches, concrete slabs, wood piles, or inside your crawl space. If a skunk carves out a spot on your property for itself, it will soon start spraying in your yard to mark its territory. This can make your entire property smell like skunk, which is very unpleasant to deal with. If you think you have a skunk setting up shop underneath your deck or porch, the absolute last thing you want to do is attempt to scare it off or remove it yourself, as such efforts usually result in a spray. The best way to deal with skunks settling down on your property is to contact a wildlife removal service like Summit Environmental Solutions.
Skunk Trapping and Removal
Never try to remove skunks yourself, as skunks will spray you, and they can also spread diseases like rabies, leptospirosis, tularemia, and canine distemper, as well as diseases like fleas, ticks, and mites. Always leave skunk trapping and removal to the professional wildlife control operators with Summit Environmental Solutions. We will set up humane live traps baited with the skunk’s favorite foods, and after the skunk wanders inside, one of our technicians will come out and remove the trap and the skunk from your property. Our team of wildlife experts has years of experience dealing with skunks, and we are properly trained to safely and humanely remove them without a spraying incident, protecting both you and them.
Skunk Exclusion and Habitat Modification
Excluding skunks from your property and modifying their habitat is another great way to prevent a skunk from spraying you. Skunks will raid your trash cans for food, so keeping your trash can sealed tight will keep them out and make your property less attractive to them. Keep your grass cut short, and have a monthly or quarterly pest control program to reduce the insect population in your yard, which will eliminate their food source. Summit Environmental Solutions can also provide you with exclusions and wildlife barriers to keep skunks from building dens on your property. We will seal off any cracks or gaps in your home that allow skunks into your crawl space, and we can wrap the bottom of your deck, shed, or porch with wildlife-resistant mesh that is buried deep into the ground to prevent skunks from digging underneath.
Wildlife Removal in Northern Virginia
Skunk sprays are very unpleasant and hard to get rid of, but you can easily prevent skunk spraying incidents when you know what to look out for. Tread carefully in your yard at night, and slowly back away without making sudden movements when you spot a skunk. Look out for the body language that warns of a spray (raised rear end, stamping feet, low growl), and if you know where the skunks are, avoid them. Leave skunk trapping and removal to the professionals at Summit Environmental Solutions. We also offer exclusion services to keep them from coming back, so contact our team to get started today with a FREE estimate at 757-901-4455!