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Home » Safe Wildlife Removal » Skunk Trapping

Skunk Trapping and Removal

Skunk Trapping and Removal

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Skunks are amazing creatures with a strong stench and a distinguishing black and white look. Skunks emit a stench that, to most people, stinks awful, despite the fact that they may appear charming and harmless from a distance. In many cases, to stop the critters from repeatedly harassing your home, trapping and physical relocation of the skunk(s) is required.

Live skunk trapping is a specialized service that entails collecting skunks humanely and safely and then moving them to a new location. Even though it is not tough to catch skunks in a skunk trap with bait inside, many of our customers who attempt to try their own ways of skunk removal fail to address this issue until it is too late and end up with a caught skunk on their property with no strategy for what to do next. The relocation process requires expertise and experience to ensure that the skunks are not harmed in the process and that the surrounding environment is minimally impacted in the process. The majority of wildlife removal specialists are equipped, knowledgeable, and, most significantly (! ), ready to deal with these circumstances in a secure and efficient manner.

It's important to take immediate action if you have skunk problems on your property in order to limit future damage and potential health dangers. Although it makes sense, one adult skunk can easily give birth to a family of young skunks who spray considerably more randomly than their parents do. By working with a reputable skunk trapping and removal service, you can ensure that the situation is handled professionally and with minimal disruption to your daily life.


selective focus shot skunk walking around

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Skunk Trapping

When they enter your property, skunks can be an annoyance, therefore the best course of action is to trap them. Although they can discharge a strong stench when frightened, it is crucial to approach traps cautiously.

How to Trap a Skunk

It is essential to adhere to these instructions when capturing a skunk to prevent being sprayed:

  1. Choose the right trap: Although live traps come in a variety of sizes, it is recommended to use one that is at least 10x12x32 inches. The trap should have a safe locking mechanism and be strong enough to support the weight of the skunk. While some people prefer covered traps to avoid getting sprayed, we at Critter Stop prefer open, caged traps so we can see and know for sure if an animal is trapped or not.
  2. Bait the trap: Skunks can be drawn to a wide range of meals, including fruits, vegetables, and meat, as they are omnivores. Sardines, peanut butter, and canned cat food are a few common baits. To ensure that the skunk walks on the trigger plate, place the bait at the back of the trap.
  3. Set the live trap: Place the trap in a location that skunks are known to frequent, such as next to a den or a trash can. Ensure that the trap is level and stable to prevent it from tipping over.
  4. Regularly check the trap: If skunks are kept in the trap for a long period, they become nervous and dehydrated. Every few hours, check the trap, and release the skunk as soon as possible.
  5. Release the skunk: When releasing the skunk, put on safety gear and gloves.  Be sure to take it softly and carefully as you approach the trap. Open the trap door from a distance and let the skunk leave on its own.

Skunk trapping can be difficult, so if you're hesitant, it's best to get professional assistance. Never forget to abide by local rules and regulations.

If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and have a trapped skunk that you do not want to relocate it yourself or if you require additional emergency removal services, Critter Stop can assist you.

Skunk Removal

It's crucial to approach cautiously when it comes to skunk removal. Skunks are known for their strong spray, which can be extremely uncomfortable and even briefly impair vision. For this reason, it's better to leave skunk removal to the experts.

When it comes to removing skunks, there are a few things to bear in mind. First, finding the cause of the issue is essential. Does a skunk reside under your deck or porch? Are they getting into your garbage cans? You can take action to stop the skunks from returning after you determine their source.

Live trapping is one efficient way to get rid of skunks. Setting up a trap that will safely capture the skunk without injuring it is required. After being captured, the skunk can be released in a secure area away from your property.

It's necessary to remember that if you don't know what you're doing, live trapping skunks can be dangerous. Skunks are unpredictable and may spray if they feel threatened; this threat is amplified if a mother is guarding her baby skunks nearby. For this reason, it's best to hire a professional skunk removal service to handle the job.

Skunk Removal Dallas

In addition to live trapping, there are other procedures for skunk removal. These include using repellents and exclusion techniques. An expert in skunk removal can evaluate your situation and suggest the best course of action for your particular needs.

Overall, skunk removal needs to be done carefully and cautiously. The most secure and reliable solution to a skunk problem on your property is to hire a professional. Homeowners who live in the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex have the luxury of calling Critter Stop, which can assist customers with all of their skunk removal needs.

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FAQ

Skunk trapping and removal can be a tricky process, and many people have questions about how it works. Here are some frequently asked questions about 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.

Skunk Trapping Service

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.

Striped Skunk

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, 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.

Striped Skunk

Hooded Skunks

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

Hooded Skunks

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.

Dallas's Most Reliable Skunk Trapper

If you are a homeowner living in the Dallas metroplex and would like to address your skunk issue - look no further. Critter Stop provides 5 star skunk removal services, with excellent communication and prompt relocation services every day of the week. Call us today!

And if you don't, and are just here to learn more about skunks, we hope you enjoy these cute baby skunk videos.

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Our 4 Step Process

Critter Stop Inspection
1

Free Inspection

Critter Stop offers free in-home consultations to build custom solutions to your problems. We inspect your home thoroughly, inside and out, for signs of damage, animal entry, animal nesting, droppings, and more. Once we discuss the extent of the problem and what needs to be done to fix it, we’ll document a game plan together.

sealing home
2

Seal Your Home

Sealing your home immediately is our priority. The exclusion team will thoroughly patch up potential entry sites from the roof to the foundation and everywhere in between. Once we’re sure no other rodents are getting in, we’ll set our traps in those areas we suspect animal activity.

Raccoons inside your home
3

Remove The Critters

Our technicians will check in on your home several times throughout this process. If game cameras have been set up, we’ll review those with you to discuss the animal activity. Once the traps are cleared, we will reset them and re-evaluate all the sealed points of entry to ensure no critter has re-chewed a hole or found a new way into your property.

Restoring and Sanitizing rodent droppings
4

Restore & Sanitize

We don’t call it a job well done once the pest is gone. There’s more work to be done! We completely restore your affected area by pulling up and replacing damaged insulation. Additionally, we fog the affected area to disinfect and remove animal pheromones that can attract new pests in the future.

“I used Critter Stop due to rats and squirrels in my attic. They also chewed up siding on the house to get in. Critter Stop was able to remove the rodents and secure the entry points. Everyone I dealt with was very polite and professional. They were able to come out quickly, communicated well, and they always showed up on time. I would use them again.”

Jeff L. via Google

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