Skunk Removal in Toronto, Richmond Hill & the GTA
Skunks commonly burrow under porches or enter a home through a small hole and use the basement to nest. If you suspect a skunk has invaded part of your property, do not confront it. Scaring it may cause it to spray you in defense—the smell is of course terrible and even harder to remove! Instead, call ICE to get rid of it using humane skunk removal techniques the Toronto and Richmond Hill areas. Our wildlife technician will determine the skunk’s main entry point and utilize our One-Way Door System to allow the intruding skunk(s) to vacate your home or business with ease. As always, each home or business is inspected based on its own unique requirements. Once the nuisance skunk has been removed, we will determine if there are any additional weak spots or alternative entries to your property and seal them, preventing future re-entry.
Information about Skunks in Toronto
The striped skunk occupies a variety of habitats, including fields, woodlands and urban locations. In urban areas, they are common under porches, decks, and sheds. The skunk may excavate its own burrow, which can be six to 20 feet long and below ground three to four feet, ending in round chambers lined with leaves and grass. More often, a skunk will take over the burrows of woodchucks or foxes. Skunks are normally nocturnal. They spend the day sleeping in dark locations such as burrows or under porches and exit in the evening to search for food. Our technicians use this information to understand possible nesting spots and develop an effective skunk removal plan for Toronto homes and businesses.
Their presence usually becomes apparent only when the odour from their scent glands permeates the air after being released at a real or imagined danger. Skunks spray as a last resort and would prefer just to walk away from danger. The skunk gives a warning that it is about to spray by arching its back, raising its tail high in the air, turning its back toward the enemy, and stomping its front feet.
Skunks are omnivores, with small rodents, insects, and seasonal fruits making up most of their diet. They eat the eggs and young of ground-nesting birds and regularly dig up turtle eggs and the nest of yellow jacket wasps. A favourite insect food is the grubs of Japanese beetles and June beetles, which feed on the roots of lawn grasses. Skunks are also fond of garbage and pet food which may be left outside. To avoid the need for skunk removal on your Toronto or Richmond Hill property, try to minimize any elements that may encourage a skunk to nest or search for food.
Skunk Reproduction and Life Span
Skunks are polygamous, meaning they mate with more than one member of the opposite sex. In the northeast, the breeding season begins in February and lasts through March. After mating, the male leaves the female and takes no part in raising the young. Four to eight young are born between late April and early June after a gestation period of 62 to 68 days. The young are born helpless, blind, and hairless, although the striped pattern is distinguishable on their bodies. Their eyes open at about 22 days and at six to eight weeks weaning begins and the young forage for food with the mother.
Trust Us for Effective Skunk Removal in Toronto & Richmond Hill
At ICE Pest & Wildlife Control, our professional skunk removal technicians provide services in Toronto, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, North York, and surrounding areas. We understand the frustration of an animal invasion, and will do everything we can to removal the animal in a humane way and prevent it from returning.
We also provide wildlife removal for animals including: squirrels, raccoons, birds, bats, coyotes, and chipmunks. Contact us today for a free quote online or call us at 1-888-439-8376.
