a fight with another animal, and it's spray hits the house. The odor remains, but the skunk is long gone.
During February and March, the skunks wake up periodically from their temporary hibernation called torpor, with an intense desire to look for and fight for a mate. Male skunks search out other skunk burrows in hopes of finding a female who is in heat. Sometimes they come across a male, or an opossum, and a fight ensues. This mating period is fast and furious, and then it's over. The skunks won't be seen or smelled until winter is over.
In April, the female skunk will give birth to 4-6 babies, and they will start to emerge from the
den in June/July. Many people are willing to tolerate one skunk in their yard, but when they see
7 all of a sudden, the phone really starts to ring.
Before you panic, check the yard, around the foundation, and shed for signs of a burrow about the size of a grapefruit with fresh soil around it.
If you find one, place some rolled up newspaper inside the hole. If it's dug out in the morning, then the burrow is active, and trapping is advised. I like to gang set cage traps for skunks, which means 2 or more traps. If it's baby season, I use 4 or more traps. The animals won't spray once they are in the trap and covered. They feel safe with the trap covers installed.
Please be advised, no Nuisance Wildlife Contol Operator or homeowner is allowed to relocate
skunks. It is against the law to relocate a rabies vector species. If removed from the property, they must be euthanized following the A.V.M.A. approved guidelines for euthanasia.
