Appearance
Spray reaches 15 feet and the odor lingers for weeks.
Dig cone-shaped holes hunting for grubs and insects.
Burrow under decks and foundations, risking structural damage.
Dogs frequently get sprayed when investigating skunks.
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Dogs are especially likely to startle skunks and get sprayed. Keep all pets inside while the technician works.
Identify where skunks are denning — under decks, sheds, porches, or along your foundation.
If you encounter the skunk before your appointment, back away slowly and quietly.
Keep hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap available — the most effective skunk odor remedy.
Remove woodpiles, stored items, and debris near the den entrance so the technician has clear access.
Record when you've seen or smelled the skunk to help your technician plan accordingly.
Tap a card to learn what it means for your home — and what ATCO does about it.
Skunks spray accurately up to 15 feet with near-perfect precision. The odor lingers 3 weeks on fabric — professional removal prevents the incident entirely.
Schedule ConsultationStore-bought tomato juice won't cut it. Professional-grade enzyme deodorizers and proper exclusion are the only real solution.
Schedule ConsultationA skunk family under your deck becomes a colony of 7 by summer — and they return to the same den every year unless it's properly sealed.
Schedule ConsultationSkunks are beneficial grub hunters — but cone-shaped lawn holes and spray risk near your foundation aren't worth it. Exclusion is the answer.
Schedule ConsultationBlocking the entry while a skunk is inside creates a panicked, trapped animal — and a guaranteed spray event. Let ATCO do it right.
Schedule ConsultationATCO uses one-way exclusion doors, live trapping, and professional sealing — no spray events, no guesswork, no repeat visits.
Schedule ConsultationA strong, lingering musky odor near your home is the most obvious sign. Look for cone-shaped holes in your lawn (from grub digging), tracks with five toes and visible claw marks, and burrow openings under porches, decks, or sheds.
Skunks are drawn to lawns with grub infestations, unsecured trash cans, outdoor pet food, and fallen fruit. They also seek sheltered spaces under decks, porches, and sheds for denning, especially in cooler months.
Skunks are primary rabies carriers in many regions. Their spray causes temporary blindness and nausea in pets and people. They also carry fleas, ticks, and canine distemper. Burrowing under foundations can lead to structural settling and damage.
Call a professional if you find a den under your foundation or deck, if your pets keep getting sprayed, or if you see skunks active during daylight (which can indicate illness). Removing skunks without triggering spray requires specialized equipment and techniques.
Skunks breed in late winter (February–March), with babies born in spring. Activity peaks in late summer when juveniles disperse and search for new territory. They become less active in winter but do not truly hibernate, emerging on warmer nights to forage.
Install hardware cloth along the base of decks and porches to block burrowing. Treat your lawn for grubs to remove their primary food source. Bring pet food indoors before dark, secure trash lids, and install motion-activated lights in problem areas.
Install motion-activated lights near porches, decks, and sheds. Skunks are nocturnal and avoid well-lit areas.
Attach hardware cloth along the base of decks, porches, and sheds to block burrowing access.
Skunks dig up lawns for grubs. Treating your lawn removes their primary food source on your property.
Pick up fallen fruit, seal compost bins, and remove outdoor pet food bowls before nightfall.
Place ammonia-soaked rags near den entrances at dusk. Skunks find the strong odor extremely unpleasant.
Remove brush piles, woodpiles, and overgrown vegetation. Skunks prefer cluttered areas with plenty of cover.
Sudden movements or loud noises trigger spraying. Back away slowly and quietly if you encounter one.
Mothballs are toxic to pets and children, largely ineffective against skunks, and contaminate soil.
Skunks sleep during the day. Sealing a den while they're inside traps them — and a trapped skunk will spray.
Keep pets inside at dusk and dawn. Dogs that chase skunks almost always get sprayed.
Primary rabies carriers in California — never approach one.
Transmit canine distemper virus to dogs and other domestic animals.
Carry fleas, ticks, and mites that infest your yard and affect pets.
Find all burrow entrances and nesting areas under structures.
Specialized techniques to capture skunks without triggering spray.
Screen foundations and seal all access points with heavy-duty materials.
Remove attractants like grubs, fallen fruit, pet food, and debris piles.
Careful techniques prevent spraying during removal.
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