Don’t Put Up With Lawn Damage from Skunks Digging Holes & Tunnels for Grubs … or Their Smelly Skunk Spray Odors in Absecon, NJ
Skunks are cute little animals but you don’t want to be near them if they get startled or defensive. You’re likely to be smelly for a while! The striped skunk has a black body with a white stripe along each side. The two stripes form one broad area at the nape. They also have a narrow stripe on their forehead and their tail may be tipped white. They are about the size of a house cat, weighing 2 to 14 pounds with the average weight being 6-8 pounds. They are 13 to 18 inches in length with a bushy tail that is 7 to 20 inches in length. They have short, stocky legs and large feet with long curved claws for digging.
Where Do Skunks Live & What Do They Eat?
Skunks are most active at twilight and will start their hunt for food at dawn and dusk, returning to their den at sunrise. Skunks make their homes in hollow logs and abandoned buildings and will nest in burrows made by other animals. They do not hibernate, but will enter into a semi-active or dormant state. When it’s cold, skunks will occupy their nest for several weeks to stay warm. Skunks have a wide dietary selection. They will forage for fruit and plants, insects, larvae, worms, reptiles, eggs, small mammals and fish.
Smelly Skunk Spray
Skunks are known for the spray they produce that can reach up to ten feet. While it’s not damaging, it’s uncomfortable. The smell can linger for days and is very hard to remove. Predators will stay away to avoid being sprayed unless they’re desperate for food. Warning signs will be given before they spray in an attempt to conserve the potent liquid. The glands only hold enough for five to six squirts and they need up to 10 days to replenish their supply. These warning signs include stamping their feet and thrusting their tail high in the air along with hissing and clacking sounds. They may even do a handstand to warn you that it’s coming.
Skunk Lawn Damage from Digging Holes & Tunnels Looking for Grubs
Skunks become a nuisance for us when they cause damage with their burrowing and feeding habits. Digging can cause damage to lawns, garden and golf courses in attempts to locate grubs and they will make a mess of garbage left outside. The smell distinctive to skunks can be a sign that they may be making themselves comfortable in your crawlspace or under your deck. Their droppings are also quite stinky.
Skunk Control Removal Services
The best way to prevent skunks from your home it the use methods of exclusion. Closing cellar doors and outside basement entrances along with crawlspace entrances. Seal all ways they can enter your home. Remove garbage, debris and wood piles they can use for nesting. The best control solution to remove skunks is live trapping. Contact the specialists at Ross Environmental Solutions if you notice skunks around your home. We are trained to trap and remove skunks and have the necessary knowledge, tools and training to do it safely.
