Skunk Removal
The Affordable Pest Control team will make sure that skunk removal is done right the first time. Our proven methods to get rid of skunks, make sure that no harm is done to the animal while at the same time, ensuring success. From trapping, to the use of unique one-way doors, we will make sure that your skunk is gone once and for all.
For those times of the year when baby skunks are around, make sure you choose a reputable company to deal with this problem. A mother skunk and its babies should not be separated at any point. Humane skunk removal during these months are critical to both the wildlife in your region and the safety of your home. Laws should always be followed if trapping. Babies should always be handled with the highest regard for animal safety.
Our team of experts are ready to provide quality skunk control for your city. We proudly provide humane removal to a variety of areas in the Durham Region including, but not limited to: Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Brooklin, Ajax, Courtice, and more.
Skunks are omnivorous, eating both plant and animal material and changing their diets as the seasons change. They eat insects and larvae, earthworms, grubs, small rodents, lizards, salamanders, frogs, snakes, birds, moles, and eggs. They also commonly eat berries, roots, leaves, grasses, fungi, and nuts. In settled areas, they also seek human garbage. Less often, skunks may be found acting as scavengers, eating bird and rodent carcasses left by cats or other animals.
Business hours:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
| Friday | 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
| Saturday | 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
| Sunday | 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
Pet owners, particularly those of cats, may experience a skunk finding its way into a garage or basement where pet food is kept. Skunks commonly dig holes in lawns in search of grubs and worms. They are one of the primary predators of the honeybee, relying on their thick fur to protect them from stings. The skunk scratches at the front of the beehive and eats the guard bees that come out to investigate. Mother skunks are known to teach this behavior to their young
It is rare for a healthy skunk to bite a human. While a domesticated skunk with its scent glands removed may defend itself by biting, there are few recorded incidents. The most prevalent cause of biting humans is the rabies virus. Skunks, together with stink badgers, belong to the skunk family, the "Mephitidae", which is in the order Carnivora. There are twelve species of mephitids, in four genera: Conepatus (hog-nosed skunks, four species); Mephitis (the hooded and striped skunks, two species); Mydaus (stink badgers, two species); and Spilogale (spotted skunks, four species). The two stink badgers in the genus Mydaus inhabit Indonesia and the Philippines; the other members of the family inhabit the Americas, ranging from Canada to central South America. All other mephitids are extinct, known through fossils, including those from Eurasia.
Skunks were formerly classified as a subfamily of the Mustelidae (the weasel family). However, recent genetic evidence has caused these animals to be treated as a separate family. Similarly, the stink badgers had been classified with badgers, but genetic evidence shows they share a more recent common ancestor with skunks, so they are now included in that family.
We also provide skunk removal and skunk control services for York Region including Markham, Vaughan, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Woodbridge, Stouffville, Uxbridge, Newmarket, East Gwillimbury, Maple, Georgina and King City.
Contact one of our expert wildlife removal staff for a free quote on humane skunk removal today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Skunk spray is an oily, sulphur-based compound called thiol, and it’s remarkably persistent – ordinary soap and water will barely make a dent. The most effective DIY neutralizing solution is a mixture of one litre of 3% hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup of baking soda, and a teaspoon of dish soap. Apply it to affected surfaces (including pets) while still fresh, let it sit for five to ten minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Do not store this mixture in a sealed container, as it can build pressure.
For outdoor surfaces like decking, siding, or concrete – common in homes throughout Pickering, Whitby, Courtice, and Oshawa – enzymatic odour neutralizers available at pet supply stores are more effective than household cleaners. The smell can linger for weeks if not properly treated. Keep in mind that if a skunk has sprayed near or under your home, it’s very likely denning on your property. Contact Affordable Pest Control for a free quote to remove the animal and prevent a repeat.
Skunks are ground dwellers and prefer sheltered, low-traffic spaces close to food sources. The most common denning spots we find on residential properties across Durham and York Region include:
- Under decks and porches – by far the most frequent, particularly in established neighbourhoods in Ajax, Whitby, and Markham
- Under sheds and detached garages
- In crawl spaces with inadequate screening or vents
- Along fence lines where dense vegetation provides cover
- In window wells or stairwells that offer a sheltered cavity
Skunks dig shallow burrows but also readily take over abandoned groundhog or chipmunk tunnels. In communities like Stouffville, Uxbridge, and Georgina, where properties back onto fields or ravines, skunk activity tends to be heavier. If you’re finding cone-shaped holes in your lawn – skunks digging for grubs – that’s a reliable sign they’re active on or near your property.
Yes – skunks are one of the primary wildlife carriers of rabies in Ontario and should never be approached, cornered, or handled by homeowners. A skunk behaving unusually (active during the day, disoriented, aggressive, or not spraying when threatened) may be showing signs of infection and should be reported to your local animal services.
Healthy skunks rarely bite humans, but pets are a different matter – a dog or cat that encounters a skunk under a deck in Bowmanville, Newmarket, or Richmond Hill can be bitten or sprayed without warning. If your pet is bitten by a skunk, contact your veterinarian immediately, as rabies post-exposure protocols may apply depending on your pet’s vaccination status. For safe, humane skunk removal anywhere in Durham or York Region, contact our licensed team rather than attempting to handle the animal yourself.
Skunks are most active from early spring through late fall. They do not truly hibernate but enter a state of winter torpor, emerging on warmer nights to forage. Spring is the most critical time for removal for two reasons: it’s mating season (February to March), meaning skunks are actively seeking shelter, and females give birth between April and June, producing litters of four to seven kits.
Attempting to remove a mother skunk after she’s given birth requires extra care – separating a mother from her young is both inhumane and can make the problem worse, as distressed kits are far more likely to trigger a spray. Across our service area – from Aurora and King City to Vaughan, Thornhill, and Maple – we see the highest volume of skunk calls between April and June. If you suspect a skunk has denned under your deck or shed this spring, call us early before young are born. First-time customers also receive 15% off their service.
In most cases, yes – and this is precisely why professional removal is strongly recommended over DIY attempts. Skunks give clear warning signs before spraying: they’ll stomp their front feet, hiss, and raise their tail. A trained technician knows how to approach, handle, and trap skunks in a way that minimizes stress to the animal and the risk of discharge.
At Affordable Pest Control, we use humane live traps and, where appropriate, one-way doors to remove skunks from under decks and structures across Durham Region, including Pickering, Oshawa, Ajax, Brooklin, and Courtice, as well as York Region communities like Woodbridge, Vaughan, and East Gwillimbury. We ensure mother skunks and their young are never separated. While no removal is 100% guaranteed to be spray-free, our experienced technicians handle these situations routinely and take every precaution to keep it clean. Call us for a free quote at (905) 425-0589 or (647) 966-3742.