Skunk Control

What are signs of a skunk problem?  The striped skunk is Virginia’s “smelliest” species when it comes to wildlife/human conflict. Although a docile and slow-moving creature by nature, the skunk knows it has the ability to repel most common predators.  Most of our customers who call us for skunk control and eradication in Central Virginia become aware of a skunk’s presence on their property…not from seeing it…but from smelling it, or their pet being sprayed by it. From Harrisonburg to Blacksburg, Richmond to Charlottesville and beyond – the pungent skunk spray odor unites our customers in frustration.

Where do skunks build dens?  Once a skunk has found a home area that provides it with plenty of food and water, it will create a den. These dens could be in an abandoned groundhog den, but in most cases, skunks try to utilize existing structures to create their own den. After finding a hard-edged structure, such as a shed, sidewalk, deck, or front stoop, the skunk will burrow under the structure and create its den site, even right under your front door.

When do skunks breed in Virginia?  After establishing their new home, skunks proceed to their breeding season in late February, and this is the second time most of our customers will become aware of a skunk on their property. In the breeding season, male skunks will travel up to five miles to visit the denning female skunk. During this process, lots of spraying occurs, and customers commonly will call us to describe “fighting” under their deck or in their crawl space. Once skunks have been identified, their removal is pretty straightforward but must be done with the correct traps in order to avoid a direct confrontation with the skunk once it is trapped.

If you believe that skunks have taken up residence under your home, business, or outbuilding, call Blue Ridge Wildlife & Fisheries Management today to schedule an appointment for skunk eradication.