Spring is just around the corner! Unfortunately, one of the first signs of spring is often the rancid smell of skunk. Skunks are one of the first animals to come out of hibernation and breed come spring, so they are prevalent in and around suburban homes. Now is a great time to take steps to make sure you aren’t sharing your home with a family of skunks this season. Here are a few tips to make sure your home doesn’t smell rotten. 

Keep Trash Cans Secure

Skunks are almost always attracted by a food source. If your trash can is full of leftover food, chances are good skunks will come overnight to dine. One great way to combat this is to invest in a trash can that locks closed. If the skunks cannot gain access to your trash, they will not continue to return for your leftovers. Merely putting a cover on your trash can is not enough- skunks are crafty and can open trash can covers. 

Do not leave food outside

Much like trash cans, any food left around your home or yard can attract skunks. When cooking or dining outdoors, be sure to thoroughly clean the area and leave no food scraps. At night, be sure to bring pet food inside. Skunks will happily eat from your pet’s bowl- and keep coming back for more. If you don’t have pets or leave food outdoors, even bird feeders could be attracting skunks. Consider taking bird feeders down temporarily until the problem subsides.

Remove brush piles and abandoned animal dens

Skunks do not usually build dens, and will inhabit anywhere that is easy to make a shelter. Dispose of any brush piles or piles of sticks that might be an attractive den to skunks. Skunks will also happily inhabit abandoned burrows or holes from other animals. Block all holes you may find around your property that a skunk may occupy.

Block off entryways to your home

The only thing worse than having skunks invade your yard is having them invade your home! Be sure to fix all holes in doors, cracks in the foundation, or any other opening a skunk could crawl into. Be sure to secure under porches and sheds too. If a skunk (or many skunks) finds its way into your home, be sure to contact us.

Skunk Removal from Baystate Wildlife

If you have unwanted guests in your home or shed this spring, be sure to give us a call at (781) 830-6080 or fill out a contact form. We will humanely remove the skunks and close the entryways into your home so they do not return. We offer 24/7 emergency services for urgent situations.