Skunks can cause a lot of problems in the urban landscape. Not only are they known for their notorious smell but also they are carriers of rabies, canine distemper, canine hepatitis and other diseases. The most common skunks found in yards are the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and the spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis). To avoid trouble from these pests, it’s important to know if you have a problem in the first place.
Before you call out a pest control service, look for the following signs that you may have skunks living in your yard:
- Faint Skunk Odor: Are you regularly picking up hints of a musky odor? Skunks can be smelled long before they are seen, and they don’t need to spray to smell. Smelling a faint odor is a sign that you have skunks nearby. In the winter, the smell will usually come from males fighting over females.
- Holes In The Lawn: Dogs and raccoons can leave holes in the lawn, but they tend to be deep and messy. Skunks, on the other hand, dig perfectly round holes that are 3-4 inches wide. These holes are dug so that the animals can find insects in the soil such as larvae and grubs.
- Rolled Back Grass: Skunks cause damage to the lawn. They have a habit of rolling back the sod so that they don’t have to dig. Their diet consists largely of lawn and garden pests, so they look for them in the soil. Loose sod is easiest to roll back and most attractive to skunks.
- Tracks And Droppings: Look for footprints that have five toes and are similar to cat prints. Not all toes may be apparent in the tracks, however, but you should always see the claws from the forefoot and hindfoot. Now, for the dirty work. If you find droppings, pay attention to them. Skunk droppings are up to ½ inch in diameter and up to 2 inches long. They often contain undigested skunk parts.
What Happens If You Verify Signs Of Skunks?
You don’t need to notice all of the signs above to have a skunk problem. In fact, some people don’t see any signs at all! If you suspect that skunks are hiding out in your yard, contact a humane pest control service right away. Skunks carry disease, can damage your yard and be aggressive toward pets and children.
Heritage Pest Control uses trapping and exclusion methods to deal with skunks. We relocate them to a new area and make corrections in the yard to prevent them from coming back. No animals are hurt, and your yard will be safe once again. Call us today for your free quote on professional skunk removal.