Can I Get A Pest Control Company To Remove A Skunk (no, they usually handle insects)

Depending on where you live, it is not uncommon for a skunk to wander onto your property and take up residence. Skunks are animals of opportunity. This means they will stay anywhere they have access to food and water.

Skunks also have poor eyesight and often end up burrowing underneath porches or sheds. They will dig up your yard looking for a tasty meal, wreak havoc on your garden and unleash a terrible stench on your yard.

When faced with this situation, people go looking for simple ways to rid themselves of their unwanted guest. One seemingly simple alternative is to call a pest control company. After all, pest control is what they do.



Pest Equals Insects

Unfortunately, the word pest in pest control typically refers to insects. Pest control companies just aren’t equipped to handle larger creatures like skunks. They handle smaller pests such as spiders, roaches and ants. This can put you both at a disadvantage when you have an unwanted skunk on your property.

One of the many reasons that skunks take up residence in populated areas is for the lack of predators. They are free to find sustenance and reproduce without fear of being hunted in the wild.

What You Should Do

First things first. If you find a skunk on your property, it is important to remember that it is a wild animal and it likely carries several diseases. Do not attempt to approach it under any circumstances. If you know where the animal’s burrow is, then make a mental note and leave it alone.

The best thing to do is to call your local wildlife management team or rehabber. They can likely give you adequate instructions. They will also be helpful in educating you on your state and local laws pertaining to this animal.

You may find yourself in a situation where you need to trap the animal for relocation. If this is the case, you will want to purchase a live cage trap and bait it. Skunks have a keen sense of smell. They love wet cat food, eggs and very ripe pungent fruit.

Once the animal has been trapped it will be scared and possibly aggressive. You’ll want to cover the cage with a small blanket or large towel to keep from getting sprayed during transport.

Skunks also have sharp claws and teeth, so you’ll want to wear thick gloves and protective goggles. The animal must be released at least five miles away from your property into a wooded area where they will not be a nuisance to someone else.


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