There are four different species of skunks that make their homes in Arizona. The spotted skunk is perhaps the easiest to identify because of its large white spots on predominantly black fur. The striped skunk, the hooded skunk and the hognose skunk all have a stripe of white down their backs, so it is hard to distinguish these species from each other.
The one thing all skunks have in common is that they all excrete a very pungent smell, called musk, when they feel threatened. They can also destroy landscaping while searching for food. Because of these factors, skunks are not an ideal animal to have living on your property.
If you think a skunk may be on your premises, it’s best to call wildlife removal services right away.
Where do Skunks set up shop?
Skunks can build their own dens or share a den with other animals like pack rats1. They like to live in brush piles, hollow logs, boulder piles and below the foundations of buildings, preferring thick, brushy areas.
Signs of a Skunk Intrusion
Signs that you may have a skunk living on your property include divots or conical holes in grassy areas where they are hunting for food, which includes grubs, insects and rodents. Skunks are omnivores, so they can also eat meat and veggies and often root around in trash to find food in a residential area.2
Another sign that you may have a skunk problem is a musky smell that occurs frequently. When skunks are mating the female skunk emits the musk to let male skunks know they are interested.
Signs Before the Spray
Skunks also emit musk when they, or their babies, are threatened. A skunk will usually signal before it sprays. This signaling can include growling, spitting, fluffing of its fur, shaking of its tail and stamping the ground. A spotted skunk may even do a handstand. Skunks can spray up to 12 feet and have enough musk for five or six volleys.3 A skunk’s aim is accurate, targeting their prey best at about 6 to 6.5 feet.4 They usually aim for the face of their predators.
Handling an Encounter
Dogs and humans are their most common residential targets. Since skunks are nocturnal most human and pet encounters happen in the evening hours. It is important to remove the spray as soon as possible, but stay outside your home while doing so as you don’t want to bring the smell indoors. Use dish soap and water, not tomato juice. A mixture of 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing soap is a safe and effective way to remove the odor according to the Humane Society. 5
The Humane Society also recommends using a professional wildlife removal company if you suspect you have a skunk or skunk family living under a deck or outbuilding.6 Blocking the entrance to the den can endanger the life of the skunk and its babies.
Wildlife Removal Services for Safe Humane Solutions
A wildlife removal company can determine if young are present in the den. Recommended DIY solutions can be deadly. Ammonia soaked rags can kill baby skunks and blind adult skunks and skunks often roll mothballs out of their dens and then the mothballs are eaten by dogs. Wildlife removal professionals are also aware of state and local laws, including the need for a permit to trap a skunk and laws governing whether or not a skunk can be relocated.
Skunks can be problematic for homeowners, but they are also an important part of the ecosystem. They control pest populations by eating insects and small rodents and they disperse seeds by ingesting plants and scattering seeds through their feces. Consulting a wildlife removal specialist is best for your home and for the skunks that may be living there.
Effective Skunk Removal Services for your Maricopa County Property
Be proactive and reach out the pros at Critter Evictors in Scottsdale for a fast and effective wildlife and skunk removal services. We’ll come right out to inspect and provide you with options toward a skunk-free home. Our team is experienced and dedicated to providing safe and humane critter control solutions for all types of wildlife in Arizona.
We are here to help! Call and speak to an expert today.
__________________
1, 3 Creatures of the Night: Skunks of Arizona by Jonathan DuHamel, 4/20/2014
Link: https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2014/04/20/creatures-of-the-night-skunks-of-arizona/
2, 4 14 Things Skunks Like to Eat Most by American Tarantula & Animals
Link: https://www.atshq.org/what-do-skunks-eat/
5 If You Get Sprayed by a Skunks Here’s What To Do by Laura Zbinden, 12/29/2023
Link: https://www.outdoorguide.com/1479555/sprayed-skunk-next-steps/
6 How to Keep Skunks Away From Your Yard by Felicia Feaster, 6/10/2025
Link: https://www.marthastewart.com/get-rid-of-skunks-8347108