When it comes to skunks on your property, they can really create a mess. The skunks may stumble upon your property one afternoon while they are searching for food and realize that you have everything they need so they are going to stay there. So while you aren't looking, they will build a den to sleep in during the day and prowl around on your property at night. If you have a dog or cat outdoors, they will most likely sneak in a couple of bites of food as soon as you go inside. After that, they will rely on the same water system you use for your pets to get them a nice cold drink of water to wash down the cat food they just ate. Then they will go out into your yard and dig up a few holes that are about three or four inches deep in search of worms and insects. They will leave several holes for you to discover in the morning. After they get done with that, they will venture over to your garden where they will enjoy a few delicacies that they couldn't find while out scavenging around. Then as morning approaches, they will hurry into their den where they will curl up and go to sleep until dark. Once the sun goes down, they will get out and do it all over again.
If this is what has happened to you lately, you may be searching for a solution to your problem. While there are a few solutions, the best one would be to trap the skunk in a live trap and then relocate it. Before you trap the animal, it's best to figure out where you will be relocating it so the skunk won't spend too much time inside the cage without food and water and feeling anxious and frightened. When selecting the right place to relocate a trapped skunk, here are a few suggestions:
* Choose a spot that features an open meadow as well as a wooded area close by. Skunks need to be able to hide in their surroundings and in order to do that, you need to select a place that can be convenient for the skunk to walk to. In the woods, the skunk will have ample opportunity to find food that can range from small mammals to worms or bugs underneath the ground. When they get hungry, all they have to do is dig and eat. Wooded areas also have water which may include pooled water inside of a plant or rock or there may be a stream of water nearby as well.
Where to Avoid Relocating a Skunk
* Don't relocate a skunk near a shopping mall
* Don't relocate a skunk near a busy highway
* Don't relocate a skunk in a public park
* Don't relocate a skunk in your neighbor's yard
* Don't relocate a skunk near a school
* Don't relocate a skunk near a restaurant
* Don't relocate a skunk near a hunting resort
Because skunks have keen noses, their nose will lead them to where it smells good. If they are smelling food from restaurants, they may venture over to the restaurants and become a problem as they try to avoid human contact but still get the food they smell.
Skunks deserve to be placed in an area that is safe for them and not overcrowded by other wildlife so they can enjoy their time exploring and living the life they deserve.
Go back to the Schuylkill County wildlife removal home page.