Skunk FAQs
The following are some common skunk questions that our customers ask us:
I have been told that skunks will leave on their own after 6 – 8 weeks. Is that true?
No. The skunks may leave at some point but most often they will return to other den as long as it is accessible throughout the year. The only way to ensure they are permanently excluded is to use humane removal techniques and to install professional skunk proofing.
There is only one skunk going in and out of the den so there are probably no babies, right?
Not necessarily. Skunk babies remain in the den for 6 – 8 weeks after they are born. And then they only venture our with their mother in the evening to forage. It takes trained technicians to identify if there are any babies present and to use humane, hands-on techniques to remove them.
I’ve been told that you have to catch the skunks and relocate them far away from your house otherwise they will dig back in. Is that true?
No. Following our humane removal procedure, we install professional skunk proofing in all possible entry points. The skunks will not be able to dig back in – we guarantee it! In fact, if a skunk does manage to dig back into your home, we will return and complete the process again for free.
How do I know if I have skunks underneath my home or building?
More often than not, you will have smelled them. But in some cases, the smell is not immediately apparent in which case you should look for digging and damage to your lawn and garden. For further insights, delve into our skunk facts.
Habitat
Underneath structures: Skunks are burrowers. In the wild they will dig into the ground at the base of a tree. In urban settings, they can be found underneath decks, sheds, porches, houses and other solid foundations. Once underneath, they will hollow out a bowl-shaped depression lined with grass and leaves.
Breeding
Early in the year: Skunks mate between January and mid March. Interestingly, female skunks can store the male’s sperm separately from her eggs in order to delay pregnancy until weather conditions are favorable. The gestation period is around 63 days long.
Litter size: Female skunks produce litters between 4 and 6 offspring (but it can range between 1 and 9).
Rearing: Baby skunks keep their eyes closed for the first 21 days and remain in the den for the first 6 to 8 weeks. After this time, the young will venture out for nighttime foraging with their mother.
Sexual maturity: Skunks are sexually mature after 9 to 12 months.
Food and Feeding
Time of day: Skunks are nocturnal and will venture out to forage most evenings.
Diet: Skunks are omnivores but prefer to eat plants, veggies, fruits, insects, grubs, small animals and eggs as well as anything left in accessible garbage cans.
Morphology and Lifestyle
- Body length: 10-15 in
- Tail length: 10-15 in
- Weight: 1 – 4 kg
- Vocalization: Usually silent but can produce a bird-like noise
- Lifespan: Between 5 and 10 years
Did You Know?
- Skunk fact: Skunks can spray their scent glands up to 15 feet.
- Skunk fact: The skunk smell can remain on skin and pet hair for days, weeks and even months.
- Skunk fact: Skunks have poor eyesight and as such, their awareness of their surroundings is limited.
- Skunk fact: Skunk burrows can cause structural weakness in decks, porches, sheds and foundations.
- Skunk fact: Skunks will dig up lawns and gardens to find food.
- Skunk fact: Skunks can carry the rabies virus and not “look” infected.
39 Years Of Wildlife Removal Experience
At Gates Wildlife Control, we offer professional and effective animal removal and prevention solutions to keep raccoons, squirrels, and skunks from entering your home. We also provide effective rodent control services for mice and rat infestations. Our team is trained and experienced in the installation of one-way doors, which allow the animals to exit your attic or walls, but prevent them from returning. Contact us today for a free consultation and quote,to keep these animals out of your home for good.
Raccoons, squirrels, and skunks are common animals that can cause damage and create nuisances when they move into your attic or walls. They can chew on wires, damage insulation, leave droppings and debris, and even carry diseases and parasites.
One-way doors are a humane and effective way to remove these animals from your home and prevent them from returning. The doors are installed over the entry points the animals are using to access your attic or walls. Once the animals leave to forage for food, they are unable to re-enter the space through the one-way door.
At Gates Wildlife Control, we have the knowledge and equipment to effectively install one-way doors for raccoons, squirrels, and skunks. Our team will also assess your home and identify any potential entry points that need to be sealed off to prevent future intrusions.
In addition to installing one-way doors, we also offer repair services for damage caused by the animals and provide screening of potential entry points. This includes fixing holes in the roof or walls to prevent water from coming into the roof and walls and installing screens over roof vents, soffits and chimneys.
Don’t let raccoons, squirrels, or skunks take over your attic or walls. Contact Gates Wildlife Control today for a free consultation and quote, and keep these pests out of your home for good with our one-way door installation services.
Morphology and Lifestyle
- Wing span: Big Brown Bats – 32 to 39cm; Little Brown Bats – 22 to 27cm.
- Weight: Big Brown Bats – 11 to 25g; Little Brown Bats – 5 to 11g.
- Vocalization: Bats use high frequency echo-location that is hard to hear with the exception of some clicking sounds.
- Lifespan: Between 10 and 20 years with the rare bat living as long as 30 years.
Did You Know?
- Bat fact: Bats play an important role in our environment as they can consume up to 3,000 insects in one night.
- Bat fact: Bats in Canada will not fly in your hair and suck your blood.
- Bat fact: Bats can spread the rabies virus when infected with very little to no evidence of contact.
- Bat fact: Bats can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime.
- Bat fact: A bat can produce several times its own weight in waste each month.
- Bat fact: Bat colonies can range in size from one to several hundred and can double in size every year.
- Bat fact: Bats hibernate when the temperature drops below 10 degrees C.
More About Skunks
Humane Raccoon Removal
Humane Skunk Removal
Humane Squirrel Removal
Do It Yourself Dangers
For those who may be tempted to take on the task of removing animals and animal proofing themselves, it is important to remember that it can be a dangerous undertaking. Falling off ladders and roofs while attempting to remove animals or seal entry points can result in serious bodily harm. In some cases, even aggressive animals can pose a danger to those trying to remove them. It is best to leave these tasks to experienced professionals who have the knowledge and equipment to safely and effectively handle wildlife removal and animal proofing. Attempting to do it yourself can put you at risk of injury and potentially even more damage to your home.
