Identifying a skunk burrow on your property is crucial for maintaining safety and preventing potential damage. Skunks, known for their distinctive scent, also leave telltale signs, such as skunk tracks and carefully hidden entrances to their burrows. 

These nocturnal animals typically create their homes in secluded, low-traffic areas like under decks, sheds, or woodpiles. Effective wildlife removal in Durham involves recognizing these signs early and taking prompt, professional action. Understanding skunk behaviour and habitat preferences helps ensure humane and efficient resolution, safeguarding both your property and the local ecosystem.

In this blog, our Skedaddle experts guide you through the process of identifying a skunk burrow and explain why professional intervention is essential for effective skunk removal.

Nocturnal, Solitary Creatures

Skunks are mostly night owls, coming out to play from dusk until dawn. These solitary creatures often hang out in suburban areas where they can find plenty of food. Skunks are omnivores, so they munch on a mix of insects, small mammals, fruits, and plants. This varied diet means they’re pretty drawn to residential properties since gardens, lawns, and garbage cans offer up a buffet.

Besides their broad diet, skunks are also known for their digging. They use their strong forelimbs and sharp claws to dig burrows for shelter and to hunt for insects and grubs. This can leave noticeable holes in your yard and might damage your lawn or garden.

Although skunks don’t have the best eyesight, they make up for it with an excellent sense of smell, which helps them find food and navigate their environment. But be careful—if they feel threatened, skunks can spray a nasty-smelling liquid from glands near their tails. This stinky spray is their main defence against predators and can cause temporary blindness and severe irritation, so it’s best to keep your distance.

Skunks also communicate through various sounds like hisses, growls, squeals, and chirps, especially during mating season or when they’re scared. Paying attention to these noises can help you figure out if skunks are hanging around your property.

Given their habits and defensive mechanisms, you’ll often need professional help from wildlife control experts like Skedaddle to handle skunk issues safely and humanely.

Signs of a Skunk Burrow

Identifying a burrow on your property involves looking for specific signs that indicate skunk activity. Here are some key indicators:

• Entrance Holes: One of the most noticeable signs of a burrow is the entrance hole. Skunks typically dig burrows that have an entrance of about 8 inches in diameter. These holes are usually shallow, only a few feet deep, and can be found near structures such as decks, sheds, and porches. The soil around the entrance is often loose and disturbed, indicating recent digging activity.
• Distinctive Smell: Skunks are notorious for their pungent smell, which they use as a defence mechanism. If you notice a strong, musky odour in specific areas of your yard, it may indicate the presence of a burrow nearby. This smell can linger for a long time and is a clear sign that skunks are active in the area.
• Skunk Tracks: Another way to identify a burrow is by looking for skunk tracks. Skunk tracks are distinctive due to their five toes and claw marks. The front paws are smaller than the back paws, and the tracks often show a slight drag mark from their tail. These tracks can often be found near the entrance of the burrow or along pathways skunks use to travel to and from their den.
• Disturbed Gardens and Lawns: Skunks often dig in lawns and gardens in search of food such as grubs and insects. If you notice patches of your lawn that appear to be dug up or disturbed, it could be a sign of activity. These small, cone-shaped holes are often created during nighttime foraging and can indicate the presence of a burrow nearby.
• Nocturnal Activity: Skunks are most active during the night, and evidence of their nocturnal behaviour can be a strong indicator of a burrow on your property. If you notice areas of your property that appear to have been disturbed overnight, such as overturned garbage cans or newly dug holes, it may be due to skunk activity. Homeowners may also hear noises at night, such as rustling or scratching sounds, particularly if skunks have created a den underneath a deck or shed. Monitoring these signs can help in determining the presence of skunks and prompt timely intervention.

Why Professional Skunk Removal is Essential

While it might be tempting to handle a problem on your own, it’s important to understand the risks and challenges involved. Skunks can be aggressive when threatened and may spray their foul-smelling liquid as a defense mechanism. Additionally, skunks can carry diseases such as rabies, which pose a serious health risk to humans and pets.

At Skedaddle, we specialize in humane and effective wildlife removal services. Our team of wildlife removal experts has extensive experience in dealing with skunks and other wildlife. We understand their behaviour and know how to safely and effectively remove them from your property. Our methods are designed to be humane, ensuring that the skunks are excluded from the property without causing them harm.

We begin every job with a thorough inspection of your property to identify the presence of skunks and locate their burrows. This allows us to develop a targeted removal plan that addresses the specific needs of your situation.

Our removal techniques are humane and focused on minimizing stress for the animals. We use exclusion methods to encourage skunks to leave their burrows and then seal entry points to prevent them from returning. This approach ensures that skunks are removed safely and that your property is protected from future infestations.

After removing the skunks, we don’t stop there. Our team will also provide advice on how to prevent skunks from returning to your property. This may include recommendations for securing garbage cans, protecting gardens, and sealing potential entry points. Additionally, we offer clean-up services to address any damage caused by the skunks and restore your property to its original condition.

At Skedaddle, we are committed to humane practices in all our wildlife removal services. We believe in treating animals with respect and ensuring their well-being throughout the removal process. Our methods comply with all relevant regulations and guidelines, providing you with peace of mind that the skunks are being handled responsibly.

Protect Your Durham Property with Skedaddle

Identifying and addressing a skunk burrow on your property is crucial to prevent damage and potential health risks. By recognizing the signs of a burrow and understanding the importance of professional removal, you can protect your home and ensure the safety of your family and pets.

Skedaddle is here to help with expert, humane, and efficient skunk removal services. Our commitment to customer satisfaction and humane practices sets us apart as the best choice for wildlife removal in Durham.

If you suspect a skunk burrow on your property, don’t wait. Contact Skedaddle today to schedule an inspection and take the first step towards a skunk-free home. With our expertise and dedication, you can trust us to handle your wildlife removal needs with care and professionalism.

Take action now to protect your property. Reach out to Skedaddle and let our team of experts provide the solutions you need. Schedule your inspection today and experience the difference of working with Durham’s trusted wildlife removal specialists.