As winter gives way to early spring, you might notice more activity around your property—unfortunately, some of it could involve unwelcome four-legged visitors. Late February to early March marks the mating season for striped animals with a knack for startling scents. During this time, they’re on the move, searching for mates and suitable dens to raise their young. And while these animals are just following their instincts, their presence can lead to property damage and unpleasant odours. 

Now, why would one decide your home is the perfect spot? It often boils down to three things—food, shelter, and safety. Residential areas provide easy access to meals, quiet nesting spots, and a lack of natural predators, making them an ideal environment for these animals. 

Here’s a deeper look into skunk mating season, what draws them to your home, the potential risks they pose, and how you can prevent unwanted visitors from settling in. 

Skunk Mating Season and Behaviour 

Mating season typically runs from late February through March, though activity can start as early as mid-February. During this time, male animals venture far and wide in search of females, while females look for secure locations to prepare for their young. 

These animals communicate in several ways, including high-pitched noises and scratching sounds you might mistake for something else. Additionally, males with competing interests may engage in standoffs, using their infamous spray as a defence tactic if things escalate. That’s often why mating season can amplify the potential for stronger smells lingering around your property. 

Once a female accepts a mate, her next priority is finding the perfect location for her nursery. Dens need to be dry, dark, and quiet—places like crawl spaces, rock piles, or beneath your deck are often seen as perfect spots. 

What Attracts Them to Residential Areas? 

Wondering what attracts skunks to your property? Typically, they’re on the hunt for food, shelter, and safety—three basics that homes can unintentionally provide. 

Food Sources: To avoid attracting unwanted creatures to your property, it’s essential to be mindful of potential food sources. Open garbage bins or exposed trash bags can be a tempting invitation for these creatures. Similarly, leaving pet food outdoors can unintentionally provide them with an easy meal. Compost piles that contain food waste can also be irresistible to them. 

Additionally, fallen fruits in gardens or stray birdseed can unknowingly attract these creatures. By taking steps to secure your garbage, store pet food indoors, manage compost properly, and clean up fallen fruits or birdseed, you can minimize the likelihood of them being drawn to your residential area.

Shelter Opportunities: Decks and porches with open or unsealed spaces underneath can become cozy hiding spots for skunks. These smart animals can squeeze through gaps and holes to make a safe place for themselves and their babies. To keep skunks out, make sure to seal any openings and block entry points.

Sheds and garages can also attract skunks if there are easy ways to get in. These skilled climbers can sneak inside through cracks or holes. To stop them, fix any damage, secure windows and doors, and add barriers to keep them out.

Woodpiles and overgrown plants are also inviting for skunks because they provide places to hide. Keep woodpiles off the ground and away from your house, and make sure your yard is neat with trimmed plants. This reduces hiding spots and helps keep skunks away from your property.

Ideal Nesting Conditions: Quiet, dark, and undisturbed areas near homes, such as crawl spaces, attics, or basements, can be highly attractive to skunks seeking shelter. These areas provide a sense of security and privacy for these nocturnal creatures. 

Additionally, the warmth provided by these enclosed spaces makes them even more enticing for skunks, especially during colder months. It’s important to be vigilant and take proactive measures to prevent skunks from accessing these areas to minimize potential conflicts and keep your property skunk-free.

Lack of Predators: While these animals face threats from coyotes, foxes, and other predators in the wild, your backyard likely doesn’t have these dangers. Residential areas offer relative safety, making them an attractive option for nesting. 

Risks of Having Skunks Around Your Property 

Skunks are known for their frequent digging habits, which can lead to damage in gardens, lawns, and even structures. Their digging is often driven by their search for insects or as part of their denning habits. This can result in unsightly and costly damage to your property.

While not all skunks carry diseases, it’s important to be aware of the potential health risks associated with their presence. Skunks can be carriers of rabies and other illnesses. Additionally, they can introduce ticks, fleas, or mites onto your property, posing a risk to both humans and pets.

One of the most well-known characteristics of skunks is their ability to spray a strong and pungent odour as a defence mechanism. These odours can be difficult to remove from pets, people, and property, often lingering for quite some time.

These risks highlight the importance of addressing skunk presence around your property. Taking proactive measures to deter skunks and minimize their attraction to residential areas during mating season can help you maintain a skunk-free and pleasant living environment.

How to Prevent Them From Taking Over Your Space 

If you want to keep skunks away from your property, it’s important to understand why they might be attracted to it. By taking proactive measures as a homeowner, you can minimize the risk of skunks invading your space. Here are some simple steps you can take:

• Secure Your Garbage Bins: Make sure your garbage bins have locking lids to prevent skunks from scavenging. This will help in keeping them away from your property and reduce the chances of any unpleasant encounters.
• Remove Outdoor Food Sources: Skunks are attracted to outdoor food sources like fallen fruits, pet food left outside, and bird seed. Ensure that you clean up fallen fruits regularly, bring in pet food dishes at night, and empty bird feeders before dusk. By removing these food sources, you can significantly reduce the appeal for skunks to visit your property.
• Seal Entry Points: Skunks can find their way into your property through gaps under decks, porches, and sheds. To prevent them from entering, seal off these potential entry points using sturdy materials. This will make it difficult for skunks to find shelter in these spaces and help in keeping them away.
• Trim Overgrown Vegetation and Clear Debris: Skunks are attracted to areas with overgrown vegetation and debris, as they provide hiding spots. Regularly trim overgrown vegetation and clear debris around your property to reduce these hiding spots and make your property less appealing to skunks.
• Install Motion-Activated Lights or Sprinklers: Think about putting in motion-activated lights or sprinklers in places where skunks might show up. These devices can scare skunks away by surprising them with bright light or a splash of water, making them less likely to come near your property.

Using these simple steps can help keep skunks away during mating season and make your home skunk-free. Secure your garbage bins, remove outdoor food, close off entry points, keep your yard neat and trimmed, and use deterrents like lights or sprinklers. This will make your property less appealing to skunks and reduce the chances of them hanging around.

Protect Your Property the Humane Way 

Observing mating season behaviours and making adjustments to your surroundings can go a long way in protecting your property. However, if these steps aren’t enough and uninvited guests have already made themselves at home, it’s time to get professional help. 

Wondering how to keep skunks away in York Region? Here at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we specialize in humane solutions that protect both your family and wildlife. Our approach includes inspecting your property, sealing potential entry points, and using one-way doors to allow the animals to leave without harm—while ensuring they can’t return. 

Don’t wait until property damage or unwanted odours become overwhelming. Contact us today for a quote and keep your home safe and free from unwanted wildlife this season.