Of all the local animals you want to see in your yard, skunks are probably at the bottom of the list. These wild creatures can cause property damage and injury, and they’re notorious for their smelly sprays. While you can call wildlife control when you see them, the most effective option is to keep them out in the first place by eliminating these features.

What Will Encourage Skunks?

1. Dark Corners

Skunks are nocturnal and like to stay in dark areas to avoid being seen by predators. The more well-lit your yard is at night, the less tempting it'll be as a home or foraging ground. Motion-activated lights can be helpful if you don't want to leave them on all night, and automatic or motion-activated sprinklers can also make your property less inviting.

2. Food Sources

Skunks are omnivores. While they mainly eat insects in the wild, they'll also happily dig through a garden and root in the trash. Wall off any tempting plants with a wire mesh fence that's at least three feet high. Also, bury the bottom part to extend parallel to the ground's surface for at least a foot to keep skunks from digging underneath. Finally, keep your trash cans in a skunk-proof fenced area, or choose heavy bins with securely fitted lids.

3. Shelter

Skunks burrow to create dens, particularly underneath large, sturdy objects that'll protect them from being dug up. This includes your house, porch, deck, or shed. To prevent this, screen off crawlspaces and bury wire mesh the same way you would to create a skunk-proof barrier around your vegetable garden. If you see signs of a den, such as a hole about eight inches across leading under your structure, leave it alone and call for wildlife removal, as skunks are more likely to be aggressive if they're trapped or defending their young.

If you have a skunk on your property, you need professional wildlife control to remove it safely and ethically. American Bio-Tech Wildlife Services in New Milford has been serving the state of Connecticut since 1971. This nuisance wildlife removal company uses humane traps to capture and relocate animals to DEET-approved forest lands. Call (860) 355-1231 to get started today, or visit their website to learn more about the wildlife they can remove.