Skunks are burrowing animals found in almost all parts of Ontario. Skunks are omnivorous; they feed on grubs, insects, small rodents, carrion, fruits and vegetables. Local skunks breed from February to March; gestation is eight weeks – they produce four to seven young which are usually independent by mid-summer. Skunks are active all year but may be dormant during periods of extended cold. They are attracted to spaces under porches, sheds, woodpiles, rocks or debris, garbage, pet food and open compost containers or compost piles.

Skunks are usually attracted to lawns and gardens, especially after a rainfall when grubs and larvae are near the surface. Skunks dig small round holes, and in some cases, roll up large chunks of sod. The combination of grubs feeding on the grass root system and the skunks digging the grubs and larvae out of the soil to feed on them does a fair job of destroying a beautiful grass lawn.

The most notorious feature of skunks is their anal scent glands, which they can use as a defensive weapon. They are similar to, though much more developed than, the glands found in species of the Mustelidae family. Skunks have two glands, one on either side of the anus, that produce a mixture of sulfur-containing chemicals (methyl and butyl thiols (mercaptans)) that have a highly offensive smell that can be described as a combination of the odors of rotten eggs, garlic and burnt rubber. The odor of the fluid is strong enough to ward off bears and other potential attackers, and can be difficult to remove from clothing. Muscles located next to the scent glands allow them to spray with high accuracy as far as 2 to 5 metres (7 to 15 ft). The smell aside, the spray can cause irritation and even temporary blindness, and is sufficiently powerful to be detected by even an insensitive human nose anywhere up to a mile (1.5 km) downwind.

Our Humane Approach is best
Our wildlife technicians are specially trained to remove skunks and prevent undue stress or injury to the animals.

Our focus on customer education and using the latest humane removal & prevention techniques makes us a front-runner in urban wildlife control. We provide expert repairs to keep animals out of the attic and home.

Hands-on Humane Removal and Exclusion with wire mesh screening are the methods which are the most effective, successful methods of skunk removal and control. Our professional staff have the necessary knowledge and experience to resolve your problem very quickly. We provide complete roof and siding repairs and can install or repair deterrents like chimney caps and vent covers which provide good skunk pest control prevention.

There are many other companies out there, but not all are licensed and insured professionals like the experts at GTA Wildlife Removal & Pest Control Ltd.