Skunk Management Services

About Skunks

Mephitis Mephitis (Striped Skunks)

Striped skunks are found in every county, rural and urban, from Canada to Northern Mexico. Skunks can spray in all directions up to 20 feet and, for this reason, are typically not welcome in homes or under decks! Skunks use their spray to defend themselves from danger and also during mating season.

Mating season is in February and March. Gestation is about 63 days, and skunks can have a litter size from two to 10 kits. Kits are weaned by six weeks of age and stay with the female through the winter, learning to hunt and forage.

What They Eat and Sleep

Skunks can be all variations of black with white markings and are vital for managing insect populations. Striped skunks see very poorly and depend on grubs, birdseed, bugs, worms, uncontained compost, and water and food bowls left out for domestic animals, which leads to concerns of disease transmission when skunks and pets share the same feeding bowls. 

Skunks are often found under decks, sheds, patios, air conditioning slabs, concrete pads, bump outs, and woodpiles. Skunks may damage lawns from foraging and cause unnecessary foul odors near the home. Many times skunks mistakenly fall into an open window well and cannot get out on their own. We recommend window well covers as an easy solution to prevent unwanted guests. If a skunk does find its way into your window well or invades another part of your property, call TLC Wildlife Management for skunk removal.

Sickness

Striped skunks are generally most active from dusk to dawn. Sometimes they do move when it is light out, but this does not necessarily indicate that they are ill. A sick skunk will exhibit symptoms such as discharge from their eyes, nose, or mouth. Tumbling or walking in circles may occur, as well as bare patches on their fur, which can be a sign of distemper. Although skunks are a rabies vector species, most cases of illness in skunks in Central Ohio are a result of distemper, not rabies.

If you think you have a sick or injured skunk, you can contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center or individual. TLC Wildlife Management can assist with skunk control near you, collecting and securing the skunk for transport and offering other resources like local rehabilitators. 

Skunk Management FAQ

Have a skunk-related question? We have the answer. Check out these FAQs and give us a call today for more information!