Living in Mississauga, it is not uncommon to encounter skunks. These striped nocturnal animals are part of Southern Ontario’s wildlife landscape and are known for more than just their scent. One of their most noticeable behaviors is digging. But why do skunks dig, and how can homeowners protect their yards from this activity?
Skunks in Mississauga are equipped with strong front claws, perfectly evolved for digging. This behavior is not destructive out of spite—it is instinctual and critical for their survival. They use these claws to excavate soil while foraging or building dens. Understanding this natural behavior is the first step in managing unwanted digging around your home.
Seeking Shelter Beneath Your Deck or Shed
Skunks prefer to build their dens in quiet, dark, and enclosed spaces. In Mississauga, the undersides of decks, sheds, and porches offer perfect conditions:
Protection from Weather: Skunks seek shelter from Ontario’s harsh winters, spring rains, and summer heat.
Security: Enclosed areas limit exposure to predators like foxes and coyotes.
Proximity to Food: Gardens, compost bins, and fallen fruit provide easy meals.
Minimal Disturbance: Areas with low human activity are ideal denning spots.
Besides shelter, food is a major motivator for digging. Skunks use their keen sense of smell to locate grubs, beetles, and other insects under the lawn. This results in small, round, cone-shaped holes peppered across yards. If your lawn in Mississauga looks like it’s been poked with a screwdriver—skunks are likely the culprit.
Female skunks in Mississauga begin looking for den sites in early spring to prepare for raising their young. A dug-out den provides insulation and security for their kits. These dens are usually larger and more reinforced than simple foraging holes.
Preventing skunks starts with eliminating what attracts them and physically blocking access to potential denning sites. Here’s how:
Mow Regularly: A short lawn discourages insects and gives fewer hiding spots.
Secure Waste Bins: Use tight-fitting lids on garbage and compost.
Remove Outdoor Food: Avoid leaving pet food or birdseed outside.
Collect Fallen Fruit: Rotten fruit attracts more than just wasps.
Pick Up Pet Waste: Regularly clean areas where your dog or cat relieves themselves.
Clear Debris: Remove brush piles, wood, and rocks that provide shelter.
Using galvanized steel mesh is one of the most effective ways to keep skunks out from under decks and sheds:
Identify Vulnerable Structures: Inspect decks, sheds, porches.
Dig a Trench: 12–18 inches deep and 12 inches wide along the perimeter.
Install Mesh in an L-Shape: Vertical against the structure, horizontal outward.
Secure It Well: Staple or screw it into the frame.
Backfill Soil: Compact the earth to prevent future digging.
While not as foolproof as physical barriers, these deterrents can support your prevention strategy:
Motion-Activated Sprinklers: Surprise and deter skunks at night.
Citrus Peels: Orange and lemon peels may repel them (must be reapplied).
Predator Urine: Creates the illusion of a nearby threat (also needs reapplication).
Professional Wildlife Control: Essential if a skunk has already established a den.
At Pest Protection Plus, we believe in humane wildlife management. Skunks in Mississauga are a natural part of the environment, but they don’t have to take over your yard. Through thoughtful prevention, respectful deterrents, and expert removal when needed, homeowners can maintain peace without harm.
Our team of licensed professionals has over 13 years of experience managing skunks and other wildlife in the GTA. If you suspect skunk activity or need help securing your property, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Learn more about our skunk removal services:https://pestprotectionplus.com/wildlife-removal/skunk-removal-services/
0 Comment