Skunk Removal in Brampton Starts With Identification
Skunk tracks in the mud, holes dug in the lawn, and lingering skunk odors are just a few obvious signs that a skunk has made its way onto your property, and a perfect time the act if you don’t want the skunk to get too comfortable. There are two types of skunks in Canada – the striped skunk of course, and there are also spotted skunks.
In Ontario, we only have the striped skunk so you’re not likely to spot the spots of a spotted skunk in your backyard. Skunks commonly invade the Brampton area in search of food and shelter. These furry black and white creatures are certainly adorable from afar, but they can quickly become a nuisance when they start living under your deck or your shed, digging through your garbage and leaving their unmistakable scent in the air.
If you’re looking to deter skunks from your yard, it’s important to take the necessary steps to get rid of them safely and effectively.
Skunks are considered nuisance wild animals. If you smell skunk spray, you may have a skunk lurking around, and they can damage the property, scare your pets and children, and emit a foul skunk spray from up to 15 feet away. And a skunk spraying anywhere near your vicinity will leave a rotten stench that can linger for weeks.
Skunks spray if they feel threatened or panicked. They are experts in adapting themselves to their new environments and are blessed with incredible survival techniques. It is advised to call a reputable skunk control service like Skunk Removal Brampton to deal with your skunk problem since they are well aware of the behaviour of skunks and have the right tools and techniques to eliminate them from your property.
Animal Control Services In Brampton Suggests A Few Effective Diy Tips To Deter Skunks.
Don’t Leave Any Food Outside
A skunk is a scavenger, they are always in search of food items, such as nuts, berries, and other fruits. Once they find a home where they can get a steady source of food, most animals will take up residence there.
Keeping them at bay starts with removing any type of food source from your yard. These critters are omnivores and will eat nearly anything they can sink their teeth into. They’ll eat crops from your vegetable gardens. Even fallen bird seed from your bird feeder can attract skunks, so keep a tray under it to catch any feed knocked off, or you can take your bird feeders down altogether.
Another good practice is to sweep up any leftover crumbs or bits after a family meal outdoors as well. It’s best to stop leaving any of your pet food outdoors, including cat food, and feed them inside. Pet food will just attract skunks to your yard. They’ll even steal eggs from a chicken coop.
Keep your trash cans secured away in a garage or shed until pick up day, if possible. As well, make sure you keep your yard clutter free and remove piles of grass clippings. Don’t let their cuteness fool you – a skunk won’t think twice about making a meal out of whatever it can find.
By keeping a neat and clean yard, you will be one step closer to being able to repel skunks. Animal Control Brampton can arrange a skunk removal if required.
Leave a Light On
Skunks are nocturnal creatures that can pose a serious problem wherever they roam. If you want to scare skunks away from your yard, installing a motion sensor light may be the perfect skunk repellent solution.
Not only do lights deter skunks from coming onto your property but also help you track their movements. Remember, it is imperative to use humane methods when dealing with these critters and taking preventative measures is always better than finding yourself in a smelly situation. This technique, however, can backfire on you as a skunk repellent if the skunk become immune to it and your neighbors might get upset due to a bright light falling on their windows.
DIY Tips to Help Get Rid of Skunks
Skunks may be cute and furry, but they’re not so cute when they decide to make themselves at home on your property. Fortunately, there are some DIY solutions you can try.
Do you have a domestic cat at home? Did you know that skunks hate the smell of used kitty litter? Placing it around your property will help repel skunks and deter them from coming back.
Another option is to sprinkle cayenne pepper on the ground, which skunks find unpleasant. Castor oil is another alternative to keep skunks away. Predator urine can be placed around your yard to repel an adult skunk. Effective repellents can be purchased at most garden centers.
You can also use ammonia soaked rags and place them strategically around your property. Dispose of any skunk droppings you find in the yard. Sweep up any bird seed on the ground. Motion activated sprinklers have been helpful to minimize skunk activity as well.
Secure your trash can as skunks are enticed by the smell of food and will climb in to investigate. Of course, it’s important to keep your property tidy – they are attracted to rock piles, debris, and overgrown vegetation to make their skunk’s den. Trim any bushes, hedges, and lawns and keep things neat to make your property less hospitable to their interests.
What NOT To Do When Dealing with Skunks
Dealing with a skunk on your property can be a smelly and stressful situation. However, it is important to remember that there are certain things you should NOT do when trying to get rid of a skunk.
Firstly, avoid using traps, or live traps as they’re known, as they can agitate the skunk and increase the risk of them spraying. Live trapping just doesn’t work, due to the vast number of them, and a trapped animal will be a panicked animal. There might also be babies in the nest, left to die without their mothers.
Additionally, trying to kill skunks is not only cruel but also illegal in many areas. Keep in mind also, that a baited live trap can also catch a raccoon, a feral cat, or an opossum.
Instead, remember to take humane methods when trying to prevent skunks from continuing to take up residence on your property. This may include securing your garbage cans, removing any food sources, and hiring a skunk control company to install a wire meshing into the ground, blocking off any potential entry points.
Skunks are very poor climbers, but they are excellent diggers. What attracts skunks to your yard? Decks, sheds, and porches – all of these areas make great dens for skunks. Screening around the bottom of your deck, shed, or front porch will deter skunks from hanging around.
By taking these preventative measures, you can keep skunks distant without harming them or experiencing the unpleasant experience of being sprayed.
Crucial to the Ecosystem
Skunks, while a nuisance to many homeowners, actually play an important role in maintaining ecological balance. As natural predators, skunks help control populations of insects and small mammals that might otherwise become overpopulated.
However, when they make their homes a bit too close to ours, it’s important to consider humane methods when attempting to get rid of them. Rather than setting traps or resorting to toxic chemicals, homeowners should rely on professionals who specialize in safe and humane skunk control. By installing wire screening and a one-way door, and taking other preventive measures, we can coexist with the skunks living in our neighbourhoods without causing them harm.
What to do if Your Dog gets Sprayed by a Skunk?
There’s nothing worse than the unmistakable scent of a skunk’s spray on your furry friend. But don’t panic! If your dog has been sprayed by a skunk, bring him/her outside to prevent the smell from lingering in your home.
Avoid loud noises or sudden movements that could startle your pet. Next, mix a solution of baking soda and liquid soap to wash your pet. If your dog has been sprayed in the face, be sure to wash the area thoroughly, since skunk’s spray can cause temporary blindness. If it’s just on his body, avoid getting the mixture near their eyes and mouth.
For a popular alternative, try using tomato juice instead. If the skunk smell has gotten into your home, focus on ventilating the area – skunk odours will dissipate over time. And don’t forget to check for any hiding spots outside, such as under any crawl spaces, where the skunk may still be lurking.
If you see signs of a den and believe you have skunks living on your property, Animal Control Brampton can help. With a little bit of patience and some handy tricks up your sleeve, you’ll have your home and your pooch smelling fresh and skunk-free in no time.
Install Barriers for Nocturnal Animals
Skunks are notorious for their pungent odour and their tendency to dig through gardens and trash cans. While many people turn to skunk repellents, one of the most effective methods is to install barriers that prevent them from getting into specific areas.
It’s true that spotted skunks are able to climb, but the specific species that we have in Southern Ontario (the striped skunk) are known to be poor climbers, making exclusion techniques essential for keeping them out from underneath. They are excellent diggers, and placing chicken wire around just won’t keep them out.
The proven method is to use a heavy-duty wire meshing (hardware cloth) around structures such as decks, sheds, garages, or concrete steps, as well as around garden areas to prevent burrowing, they can also mesh off your crawl space.
By calling Animal Removal Brampton and employing a wildlife control company to use strategies like these, homeowners can stop skunks, and other animals, from trying to den on their property and avoid the added headaches and stress.
Do You Have a Skunk Problem in Brampton?
If your house has already been invaded by a skunk, these tactics may not get you the desired results. Skunks dig under a structure to create a den. It is nearly impossible for a skunk to go away on its own.
Skunk Removal Brampton is a reliable and professional wildlife control and removal company in Brampton that can safely and effectively remove skunks from your property. Apart from removing the animals, and offering preventive measures, we also repair the damages caused by the skunk. Give us a call today!
FAQ’s
Will a skunk spray automatically if it sees me?
No – generally they will give you warning signs first. Stomping their feet, hissing, and lifting their tails are a few indicators. If you see any of these, move away slowly.
Do skunks return to the same spot each year?
Not necessarily, striped skunks use different dens during the year so, for example, their winter den is most likely a different den than where they had their babies.
How often do skunks have babies?
Female skunks have one litter per year, generally in early to mid-May. They can range in number, anywhere from one to nine babies in a litter.
Do skunks mate for life?
No they don’t. A male skunk will breed with as many females as he can in late winter/early spring. He may stick around with her for a day or two but then he’ll move off.
Where can I purchase predator urine, and what kind is best for skunks?
Predator urine can be purchased at most department stores and supercentres or can be found online for delivery. Fox urine is considered one of the best kinds to get rid of skunks.
Who can I call if I have a skunk hanging around?
The experts at Skunk Removal Brampton can explain the procedure, walk you through the process, answer all of your questions, and give you an estimate right over the phone.
