Humane Skunk Removal In Memphis TN

Do you need skunk removal in Memphis TN? Are you experiencing problems with skunks getting under your porch or in your commercial building?

Skunks are very common around the Memphis area. Customers sometimes accidentally catch a skunk when trapping for raccoons. If you accidentally catch a skunk and are not sure what to do, just give us a call. We are happy to help. Our experienced technicians can deal with a caged skunk without getting sprayed!

The most common and recognizable is the Striped Skunk, which can be found in all of North America. Skunks are small animals, about the size of a domestic cat. In the wild, the lifespan of a skunk is about three years, but they can often survive ten years in captivity.

The skunk family name is Mephitidae, which literally means “stink”. This animal family includes skunks and stink badgers, both well known for their scent glands. Skunks used to be part of the Mustelidae family, which includes “musty” animals like weasels, badgers, otters, ferrets, and mink. Modern genetic identification now shows that skunks are on a branch of their own.

Skunk odor is caused by unique sulfur-based chemical compounds called thiols within the skunk’s body. There’s chemistry behind that nasty scent ! Pungent doesn’t begin to describe the smell of skunk spray. Contrary to popular opinion, taking a bath in tomato juice does not get rid of skunk odors. The odor has been likened to a mixture of perfume musk, essence of garlic, burning sulfur and sewer gas "magnified a thousand times”.

Skunks are opportunistic eaters with a varied diet. They are nocturnal foragers who eat fruit and plants, insects, larvae, worms, eggs, reptiles, small mammals, and even fish.

Skunks are pretty easy to keep away. An excellent way to keep skunks out of your yard is to use motion sensitive lights and sprinklers. Take care to seal small openings under decks or sheds that a skunk may decide is a potential den. Skunks are nocturnal and prefer to nest in dark, warm areas. If they are unable to find or use burrows from other animals or make their own, they will seek other areas for shelter. Residential areas are attractive because of the availability of resources. Skunks will make nests in your crawl space, shed, basement, and underneath decks and porches.

Beyond the stink, skunks can cause some serious damage to your home and yard. Their powerful claws can make holes in your lawn while searching for grubs and insects. Burrowing underneath your porch create instability in the foundation. Skunks are also a major health concern as they are known carriers of rabies.

Their stinky spray isn’t a weapon — it’s a warning. Like many smaller animals, the skunk’s weapons are all about self-defense, not offense. The organic sulfur-compound they eject from two small anal glands (known as a musk) indicates they taste bad. The spray is warning predators to stay away. Skunks are typically not aggressive, but will spray when they feel threatened.

Their spray is a last resort. Skunks usually avoid conflict and, most frequently, choose flight over fight. Unless they’re suddenly scared, they give you lots of warning before they spray. A skunk will start by lifting his tail like a flag. That lift gets the tail out of the way of the spray, but also says, “Look here; I’m a skunk. Don’t you know what skunks do? Shouldn’t you be leaving now?”

Beware if the skunk feels threatened. When skunks feel threatened, they give a warning before spraying. The skunk will initiate a ‘warning dance’ by raising his tail, hissing, growling and stomping his rear feet. If you don’t know what’s good for you by then, you probably deserve the spraying. (Dogs are not known for figuring out what’s good for them!) If you happen upon a skunk and are lucky enough to see the warning, get away FAST. A skunk can spray its victim as far as 10 feet away!

Skunks thrive in a variety of different environments. A skunk’s primary nesting site is within abandoned burrows of other animals. They also nest in hollow trees, stumps and, unfortunately, sometimes under porches and decks. If necessary, using their sharp claws, they will burrow their own den underground and use tree branches, leaves and brush for concealment.

Skunks feed on a variety of sources such as insects, grubs, berries, frogs and even small rodents. They are nocturnal and most active at night. However, they will sometimes venture out during the day in search of food or to find a mate. Skunks do not hibernate, although they do stay within their dens during colder temperatures. Other than during mating season, they spend most of their time alone.

The chances are you have never seen a living wild skunk. The reason is these mammals are nocturnal and RARELY venture out during the day. Baby skunks really are cute; in fact, skunks never lose the cuteness of those soft little ears and that little white stripe running up the nose. Most of the time, skunks will pass through your property and you’ll never know they were there.

However, if you are not planning to make a household pet out of that cute little skunk, and the little fellow is causing problems for you, call Apex Wildlife Control today. Our skilled wildlife technicians are trained to safely and humanely remove your stinky little visitor so you can enjoy the outdoors in peace again.