Shunks
How to Identify a shunk?
Skunks have black and white color.
Skunks typically grow to be between 15 and 31 inches long.
Skunks have a long, narrow body with short legs and a bushy tail. Their fur can be black, white, brown, or gray, usually marked with stripes or spots.
Get A Free Quote
We are affordable Pest Control Service in GTA & Surroundings Areas.
What are Skunks?
Skunks are often easily identifiable by their distinctive black and white coloring. In Toronto’s ever-growing neighborhood, these tiny intruders are found in abundance.
Skunks invade houses in search of food and shelter. Particularly during breeding seasons, they invade residential and commercial properties to find a safe place for giving birth. Understanding skunk characteristics helps to identify and prevent their infestation.
Physical Characteristics
The fur of a skunk is jet black, with two white stripes running down their back from head to tail. The coloration warns predators that they possess highly potent musk glands that can be released in self-defense.
Additionally, skunks tend to have specific physical characteristics that make them stand out in size: they are generally small, weighing between 4-12 pounds and measuring about 2.5 feet long.
Skunk Behaviour
Skunks are shy, and they often avoid humans. While their striking appearance may deter some predators, skunks risk being preyed upon by larger animals such as coyotes or owls. Their small size makes them vulnerable, and they rely on the effectiveness of their musk defense mechanism for survival.
However, even humans should beware of approaching or disturbing skunks, as the foul-smelling spray can cause temporary blindness and respiratory issues.
Skunk Habitat
Skunks are found in rural and suburban areas. They prefer to live in wooded areas with access to water sources such as streams or ponds for drinking and bathing purposes.
However, skunks are adaptable creatures that can also thrive in urban environments such as parks and gardens.Their burrows are typically found under rocks, logs, or abandoned dens of other animals.
Skunks dig their own underground holes using their sharp claws, which they also use to hunt for food. These dens provide shelter from predators such as coyotes, foxes, and birds of prey.
Skunk Spray
Skunks have a very unique way of defending themselves by spraying an unpleasant-smelling liquid when they feel threatened. This is why it’s important to be cautious around them while enjoying outdoor activities like camping or hiking.
Awareness of a skunk’s habitat can help us avoid these situations altogether while appreciating these fascinating creatures from a distance.
Skunk Diet
Do you know what skunks eat? They have a diverse diet that includes both plant and animal matter. They are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and plants.
Insects make up a significant portion of a skunk’s diet. Skunks will hunt for insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, grubs, and caterpillars. They also consume small mammals like mice, voles, and rabbits. In addition to these protein sources, skunks will feed on fruits like berries and nuts.
Skunks are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat whatever is available in their environment. As such, their diets can vary depending on where they live or the time of year it is. Overall, skunks have a well-rounded diet that allows them to thrive in many different environments.
Reproduction in Skunk
Skunks typically mate in late winter or early spring. After successful mating, the female skunk will give birth to a litter of 4-6 kits after a gestation period of approximately two months.
The kits are born blind and deaf and rely on their mother’s milk for nourishment until they are weaned at around six weeks old. The mother skunks fiercely protect their young and will aggressively defend them against predators.
Our Guarantee
Acme Pest Solutions is dedicated to providing exceptional pest control services focusing on customer satisfaction. We aim to exceed industry standards by delivering high-quality work. We stand behind our work with a guarantee for each job completed, giving customers peace of mind. We are committed to ensuring seamless and high-quality service and will return to make things right if any issues arise.
Do Skunks Climb?
Many people may wonder if skunks can climb trees or other objects. Skunks are quite adept climbers and have been known to climb fences, trees, and even telephone poles. Skunks use their sharp claws to grip onto surfaces as they climb, allowing them to ascend vertical surfaces with ease.
They also have a muscular build that enables them to pull themselves up and maintain balance while climbing. While skunks are not typically considered arboreal animals like squirrels or monkeys, their ability to climb does give them an advantage in certain situations, such as avoiding predators or reaching food sources.
How to Control Skunks?
- Skunks are notorious for their ability to release a pungent odor that can linger for days. If you have noticed skunks in your yard or around your home, it is important to take control and remove them promptly.
- The first step in managing skunks is to identify the signs of their presence, which may include strong odors, digging holes in the lawn, and damaged trash cans. Once you have identified the problem, it is time to take action.
- One effective way to control skunk populations is by using humane traps. These traps can be set up near areas where skunks are known to frequent, such as under decks or sheds. Once the trap has been set up, bait it with an attractive food source, such as canned cat food or sardines. If a skunk enters the trap, call ACME Pest Solutions to relocate it safely.
- In addition to trapping, there are other steps you can take to prevent future skunk infestations. Keep your yard free of debris and secure outdoor garbage cans tightly so that they cannot be accessed by skunks looking for a meal.
- Finally, consider installing motion-activated lights or sprinklers around areas where skunks like to roam so that they will be deterred from entering your property altogether.
Skunk Infestation- Call a Professional
If there are multiple skunks under the deck or in the basement, call professional wildlife exterminators for humane removal. Professional wildlife exterminators utilize protective gear and tools to get rid of skunks.
At Acme, we offer comprehensive skunk removal, relocation, sanitization, and repair services. Contact Acme Pest Solutions now for affordable skunk removal in Toronto.
Areas We Serve
We serve the following areas in Ontario: