Why Are Skunks Attracted To My Home And Yard You Ask
(804) 729-0046
Skunks are attracted to homes for several reasons, including food sources, shelter, and mating opportunities.
Food Sources
Skunks are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods including insects, fruits, and small rodents. If there are food sources readily available near your home, such as pet food or birdseed, skunks will be attracted to the area. It’s important to store pet food and birdseed in airtight containers and to pick up any fallen fruits or vegetables from your garden to reduce the attraction.
Shelter
Skunks also look for shelter to protect themselves from extreme weather conditions and potential predators. If your home has a crawl space, deck, or basement, it may provide an ideal shelter for skunks. To prevent skunks from taking up residence in or around your home, it’s important to block off any openings to your crawl space and basement, and to secure your deck or porch.
Mating Opportunities
During the breeding season, skunks will look for a place to mate and raise their young. Your home may provide a suitable area for skunks to mate and raise their young, especially if it offers a safe and secure shelter.
How Do I Prevent Skunks From Being Attracted To My Home And Yard
To prevent skunks from being attracted to your home, it’s important to eliminate food sources, secure shelter areas, and remove any potential mating sites. Here are some steps you can take to reduce skunk attraction:
- Store pet food and birdseed in airtight containers.
- Pick up fallen fruits and vegetables from your garden.
- Block off any openings to your crawl space and basement.
- Secure your deck or porch by making sure it is sturdy and that no gaps or holes exist.
- Trim back any overgrown vegetation that may provide a hiding place for skunks.
- Install a fence around your property to keep skunks out.
- Use an animal-repellent spray or granules to deter skunks from coming near your home.
If you already have skunks on your property, it’s important to handle the situation carefully. Skunks are known to spray a potent and unpleasant odor as a defense mechanism, so it’s best to leave them alone and let them move on.
If you need to remove a skunk from your property in the Henrico, Glen Allen, Richmond, Midlothian or Charlottesville areas of Virginia, it’s best to call one of our professional wildlife control service technicians to handle the situation safely and humanely. Skunks are a top rabies carrier in Central Virginia and it requires a Virginia Commercial Nuisance Wildlife Removal License to transport wildlife in Virginia. No one – including us – are allowed to relocate wildlife in Virginia. It’s the law!
In conclusion, skunks are attracted to homes for food sources, shelter, and mating opportunities. To reduce skunk attraction, it’s important to eliminate food sources, secure shelter areas, and remove any potential mating sites. If you already have skunks on your property, give us a call at (804) 729-0046 and let one of our wildlife experts get rid of your skunk problem. We provide skunk removal and trapping services in most of Central Virginia including Henrico, Glen Allen, Mechanicsville, Hanover, Richmond, Midlothian, Charlottesville, Goochland, Louisa, Fluvanna and Chesterfield.
Call us today at (804) 729-0046. You’ll be glad you did. You can also check out our Skunk Page for additional information.