In the Midwestern U.S., the freezing temperatures of January keep many types of animals in hibernation, but skunks aren’t one of them. Skunks are more readily seen in warm weather, but the black and white animals remain fully conscious throughout winter. In fact, they behave like some humans do in climates where winter brings ice and snow: They stay inside their insulated homes and only venture outside when needed.
How Skunks Damage Property
Many of us learned as children that the biggest threat skunks pose is spraying people with the odorous, oily liquid that emits from glands near the base of their tail. This may be true if you’re taking a nature hike and encounter a skunk along the trail, but if you live in a residence that fosters a skunk den, you have more to worry about than skunks hosing you down with an epic case of bad body odor. Skunks routinely damage property in the following ways.
- Creating foraging trails in lawns as they search for food
- Tearing up gardens in search of vegetables and fruit
- Breaking in beehives to eat adult and larval bees
- Digging under foundations of homes to create dens
- Digging under low decks of homes to create dens
If you take pride in your lawn and garden, keep beehives on your property, or have points of access near your home’s foundation or deck that are easy for skunks to enter, skunks can seriously compromise your vision of domestic bliss. This is why it’s important to call a skunk control service the first time that you suspect a skunk den is located in or around your residence – and January is a perfect time to make the call.
Why Now is the Time to Worry
Although skunks lead a low-key life during cold weather, they start the mating process in late winter instead of waiting for spring. This means that, when spring and summer are finally here, the number of skunks you dealt with last year could easily multiply in number – and the year after that, there could be even more of the critters to contend with.
This is why it’s important to have a skunk control service eliminate skunks in and around your residence before later winter gets here. At Holper’s Pest & Animal Solutions, we always recommend taking the proactive approach to pest control. When it comes to skunk infestations, treating the problem in winter is one of the best approaches you can take.
Need a Skunk Control Service?
If you suspect you have a skunk infestation in your home or in close proximity to the residence, contact Holper’s Pest & Animal Control Solutions to schedule a free inspection, and learn about our skunk control service. We have years of experience helping homeowners and business owners in the St. Louis area rid their properties of pests that range from moles, to stinging insects, to bed bugs, to skunks.
In addition to removing pests that cause problems, we perform an all-points check of the residence to identify areas where skunks could enter and build dens. Then, with your permission, we seal up the possible entry points to help keep the problem from recurring. Once skunks are removed and prevented from re-entering your home, you’ll enjoy more peace of mind and have a nicer looking property that’s free of skunk damage.
To set up your free consultation, please call us today at (314) 732-1413, or email us at firstname.lastname@example.org. We look forward to using our skunk control service to free your property of skunks and the damage they cause.