Skunks Are Common in South Jersey
Skunks are common throughout South Jersey, and problems often start when one finds a sheltered spot under a porch, deck, or shed. Striped skunks are the only skunk species found in New Jersey and are active year-round, though they are most visible in spring and fall when searching for food and denning sites.
The most obvious sign is odor, but even without a spray event, a resident skunk creates ongoing problems. Their burrowing can undermine deck footings and foundation edges. They dig up lawns in search of grubs. And as a primary rabies vector species in New Jersey, their presence near the home is a legitimate safety concern for your family and pets.
Ross Environmental Solutions provides professional skunk removal and exclusion services that address both the current animal and the conditions attracting it to your property.
Skunk under your deck or shed? Call us before the odor problem gets worse. 1-888-399-7677
Skunk Behavior, Risks, and How We Resolve the Problem
Signs of Skunk Activity
You may not see the skunk before you notice the signs. Skunk activity tends to pick up at dawn and dusk. Lingering odor near a porch, deck, or crawlspace is the most obvious indicator, but there are others to watch for:
- Strong smell near a porch, deck, or crawlspace area
- Odor that returns after dark or early in the morning
- Pets reacting to something near the house at night
- Small cone-shaped holes in turf from nighttime grub foraging
- Loose soil or disturbed mulch along garden edges
- Burrowing along the perimeter of a shed, deck, or stoop
Where Skunks Hide
Skunks prefer low, sheltered spaces. They commonly tuck in under sheds, decks, stoops, and porches. They may also use crawlspace edges if there is open access. Once a skunk establishes a den site, it tends to return seasonally unless the access point is properly closed off.
The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife classifies striped skunks as a rabies vector species, which means trapping and handling must follow state-regulated protocols.
Why Skunks Dig Up Yards
Skunks dig for food, primarily grubs and other soil insects. Properties with heavy grub pressure from Japanese beetle larvae or other species are particularly vulnerable to repeated skunk visits. Removing the grub population through appropriate turf treatment can reduce skunk activity significantly over time.
Gardens also attract skunks when fallen fruits, accessible compost, or standing water are present. Trash that is easy to tip or access is another consistent draw.
Our Skunk Removal Approach
We start with a thorough inspection to confirm skunk activity and identify den locations and access points. From there, we recommend the safest and most effective steps to remove the animal and reduce the likelihood of the same pattern repeating.
- Inspection to confirm activity and shelter locations
- Targeted humane removal following NJ wildlife regulations
- Recommendations to reduce food sources and attractants
- Exclusion guidance for sheds, decks, and crawlspace edges
- Coordination with our Green Earth Program when appropriate
Professional Skunk Removal Across South Jersey
Skunk removal is not a do-it-yourself task. The risk of spray, combined with New Jersey’s regulations on wildlife trapping, makes professional handling the right choice. Ross Environmental Solutions has 30 years of experience navigating these situations safely and effectively across South Jersey communities.
We are part of the full wildlife removal services offered at Ross, which also includes raccoons, squirrels, vultures, and more. If you are dealing with more than one type of wildlife problem, we can evaluate the whole picture at once.
Skunk trapping and removal is performed by NJ-licensed wildlife specialists.
We follow all state-mandated protocols for handling rabies vector species in New Jersey.
We seal den access points so new skunks cannot take over the same location.
If the problem returns after our work, we come back at no additional charge.
Skunk Problem? We Can Help.
Call Ross Environmental Solutions today. We serve all of South Jersey including Camden, Gloucester, Burlington, and Ocean Counties.
