Yes, skunks can damage homes and property, mainly through digging and nesting behavior. They often dig under decks, porches, sheds, or foundations to create dens, which can weaken structures over time. Skunks may also tear up lawns while searching for insects and grubs. In addition, their presence can lead to strong odors, especially if they spray near or under a home. Addressing skunk activity early and sealing potential entry points helps prevent damage and more costly repairs.

There are several factors that might impact the cost of this project, including:

• The number of skunks: The total number of skunks that need to be trapped and removed can affect the price. Capturing a single animal is typically less involved than handling a mother and her young.

• Location and accessibility: Where the skunks are on your property plays a big role. It’s generally more complex to remove animals from hard-to-reach areas like a crawl space, under a deck, or in an attic than from an open yard.

• Type of work needed: The cost can change depending on whether you need simple trapping and removal, or if you also need exclusion services. Sealing up entry points to prevent skunks from returning is an important step that can add to the project’s scope.

• Damage repair and cleanup: If the skunks have caused damage or left behind waste, you may need additional services. This can include repairing entry holes, cleaning up droppings, and professional deodorization if a skunk has sprayed.

• Urgency of the service: You’ll likely pay more for emergency services. If you need a pro to come out immediately, on a weekend, or after normal business hours, it can increase the cost.

Making your property less inviting is the best way to encourage skunks to leave. Remove food sources, secure trash cans, and block access to shelters under decks or sheds. For persistent issues, professional animal removal services can safely and humanely trap and relocate them.

Yes, some exterminators can remove skunks, but this job is often better suited for a wildlife control specialist. General exterminators typically handle insects and rodents, whereas wildlife experts are equipped to trap and remove larger animals like skunks safely and humanely.

Good questions to ask before someone to remove skunks include:

• Are you licensed and insured for wildlife removal?

• What methods do you use for skunk removal, and are they humane?

• Do you offer a guarantee for your work if the skunks come back?

• What steps will you take to prevent skunks from returning in the future?

• Can you provide a detailed, written estimate of all potential costs?

• How much experience do you have specifically with removing skunks?

• Do you also offer services to help get rid of skunk spray odor?

Common signs that indicate it’s time to call a skunk removal service include:

• A persistent, musky odor. If you notice a lingering skunk smell that doesn’t fade, especially under a deck, shed, or porch, it’s a strong sign one is living nearby.

• Small, cone-shaped holes in your lawn. Skunks dig for grubs and insects, leaving behind distinctive shallow holes in grassy areas.

• Skunk tracks. You may spot tracks with five toes and visible claw marks in soft dirt or mud around your property.

• Frequent sightings. Seeing a skunk more than once, particularly during the day, can suggest a den is on your property.

• Evidence of a den. Finding a burrow entrance under a structure is a clear sign a skunk has moved in, and you may need professional help to handle it safely.