You let the dog out at night, and two minutes later the whole yard smells like burnt rubber. Or you spot fresh holes in the lawn and a musky smell near the deck that will not go away.
Professional skunk removal London homeowners rely on matters because a skunk living under your deck or shed will not leave on its own, and common DIY fixes can leave you sprayed, in breach of Ontario rules, or with baby skunks trapped underneath. A trained team removes the animals legally, cleans the den, and closes the gap. This guide from The BS Pest Control explains how that works, what the law says, and what it costs.
The health risk is lower than many people think. Ontario confirmed 121 rabies cases in 2025, and 116 of them were in bats, with no raccoon-variant rabies found for the second year in a row. For most homes, the bigger problems are property damage, smell, and a nasty run-in with a spraying skunk.
Key Takeaways
- Professional skunk removal means a licensed team finds the den, removes the skunks and any babies humanely, cleans the area, and seals the entry points.
- DIY removal often ends with a sprayed owner, trapped babies, or a skunk that comes right back.
- Ontario law lets you act when skunks damage your property, but live animals must be released within 24 hours and within 1 km of where they were caught.
- Skunks den under decks, porches, and sheds. Spring (baby season) and fall (winter den hunting) are the busiest times.
- Rabies in skunks is rare in Ontario today, but damage and smell are real and get worse the longer a skunk stays.
- Skunk removal London pricing depends on where the den is, how many animals are involved, and how much sealing is needed. A free inspection gives you a clear number.
Table of Contents
- What Does Professional Skunk Removal Involve?
- Why Is Professional Skunk Removal in London Safer Than DIY?
- What Damage Can a Skunk Do to Your Property?
- When Are Skunks Most Active in London?
- How Much Does Skunk Removal Cost?
- How Do You Choose a Skunk Pest Control Company in London?
- FAQs
- Conclusion
What Does Professional Skunk Removal Involve?
Professional skunk removal is a four-step job: inspect, remove, clean, and seal. Skip one step and the skunk, or the next one, is back within weeks.
- Inspect the property. A technician checks around decks, porches, sheds, and steps to find the den. Skunks dig more than they climb, so most dens sit at ground level. One den can have more than one entrance.
- Remove the animals humanely. This can involve one-way doors or live traps, placed in the right spot and checked often. The team also looks for babies, because taking out the mother alone leaves the kits behind.
- Clean and deodorize. Nesting material, droppings, and soiled dirt get cleared out. This removes the smell that tells other animals the den is free.
- Seal the entry points. Heavy mesh is buried around the base of the deck or shed so nothing can dig back in.
That last step separates real skunk control London work from a quick trap job. Without it, the gap stays open and the old den stays attractive.
A solid skunk wildlife removal London visit also checks for other tenants. The hole that fits a skunk often fits a raccoon or an opossum too. If you suspect more than one animal, our wildlife removal service covers the whole property.
Why Is Professional Skunk Removal in London Safer Than DIY?
It is safer because a scared skunk sprays, and a rushed trap, a blocked den, or a wrong release can make everything worse. A trained team knows how to approach calmly, handle the trap, and deal with a litter.
A skunk can spray about 10 feet, and the smell travels much farther. Spraying is its last warning, but a cornered animal uses it fast.
Here are the DIY mistakes we see most often:
- Setting a trap, then having to move a frightened skunk in a cage
- Sealing the hole while a skunk or kits are still inside
- Using mothballs or ammonia, which do not work well and are unsafe around kids and pets
- Releasing the animal too far away, which breaks Ontario rules
- Skipping the cleanup, so the smell keeps drawing animals back
| DIY | Professional | |
| Spray risk | High | Lower, with trained handling |
| Babies | Often missed | Checked for and removed |
| Ontario rules | Easy to break | Followed |
| Return visits | Common | Entry points sealed |
| Cleanup | Usually skipped | Part of the job |
What does Ontario law say about removing skunks?
You may capture a skunk on your own property if it is damaging that property, or you may hire a wildlife agent to do it. The rules are strict. Under Ontario’s guidelines, you must:
- Release live animals within 24 hours
- Release them within 1 kilometre of where they were caught
- Release on private property only with the landowner’s permission
- Stay on your own property and not capture more animals than needed
- Treat the animal humanely at all times
You do not need ministry approval to deal with a skunk den, unlike dens of some other furbearing animals. The 1 km limit has a practical meaning, though. You cannot drive a skunk across town and drop it off. Sealing the entry point is what stops the problem.
What if the skunk looks sick?
Stay back and keep pets inside. Stumbling, circling, or acting oddly are warning signs. Rabies in skunks is rare in Ontario today, but a strange-acting animal is never worth the risk. Call your local public health unit or a professional.
What Damage Can a Skunk Do to Your Property?
A skunk can loosen the soil under decks and steps, tear up your lawn, and leave a smell that soaks into wood and insulation. The damage grows slowly, which is why many people miss it at first.
Look for these signs:
- Digging under decks, porches, and sheds that loosens soil around posts
- Small cone-shaped holes in the lawn where skunks dig for grubs
- Musky smell in crawl spaces or near vents
- Droppings and nesting debris around the den
- Pets sprayed more than once
- Garbage bins or pet food raided at night
Here is a common pattern. A homeowner smells skunk near the back deck in April and shrugs it off. By June there are four to six babies under the boards, the lawn is full of holes, and the dog has been sprayed twice. Now the job is bigger, because the whole family has to be removed, not just one animal.
When Are Skunks Most Active in London?
Skunks are active from late winter through fall, with two peaks: spring, when they breed and raise young, and fall, when they look for a winter den. Late October is prime time for den hunting.
- February to March: Mating season. Males roam far, and you may notice more spray smell.
- May to early June: Babies are born in a den, often under a deck, porch, or shed.
- April to September: A skunk living under a shed or deck in this period is likely a mother with young. The kits start following her outside at around two months old.
- Fall: Skunks do not truly hibernate, but they spend much more time in the den as the cold sets in.
Fall is a smart time to seal gaps, but only after you confirm nothing is inside. Booking professional skunk removal London services before the first hard frost means a skunk is not locked under your porch for the winter, or sealed in by mistake.
How Much Does Skunk Removal Cost?
There is no flat price, because every den is different. Most companies quote after an inspection. Professional skunk removal London quotes usually depend on these factors:
- Number of animals, and whether babies are present
- Where the den is (under a deck costs less to reach than under a slab)
- How much sealing the property needs
- Cleanup and deodorizing
- Follow-up visits
Before you agree to a price, ask three things. Is the sealing included? Is there a guarantee? Are there extra charges for repeat visits?
Doing nothing costs money too. Soil repair, deck work, and insulation cleanup add up faster than a seal job. At The BS Pest Control, the inspection and the quote are free. According to our skunk removal page, most skunk problems are resolved within a few days to a week, depending on the situation.
How Do You Choose a Skunk Pest Control Company in London?
Choose a licensed, insured company that uses humane methods, seals the entry points, and gives you a clear written price. Searching skunk pest control London brings up a long list, so use a checklist.
- License and insurance. Ask for proof.
- Humane methods. Ask how they handle babies.
- Sealing included. A removal with no sealing is only a pause.
- Cleanup. Ask if they remove nesting material and treat the smell.
- Clear pricing and a guarantee. Get both in writing.
- Fast response. A skunk under the deck at night should not wait a week.
Also ask whether wildlife is the company’s regular work. Ontario’s rules name people who run a wildlife removal business as authorized agents, so any skunk wildlife removal London provider should explain what they do and why.
The BS Pest Control is licensed and insured, uses eco-friendly and humane methods, offers same-day or next-day service in most areas it serves, and stands behind its work with a satisfaction guarantee. You can read more on our skunk removal page.
FAQs
How do I get rid of skunks under my deck?
Do not block the hole yet. First check that nothing is inside, because a mother may have kits. A professional removes the animals humanely and then seals the gap with buried mesh. If you call a skunk removal London team, make sure they follow Ontario’s 24-hour and 1 km release rules.
Will a skunk leave on its own?
Sometimes, but not often. A skunk with a dry, safe den and food nearby has no reason to move. A mother with kits will stay until the babies can travel. Even then, she or another skunk may come back next year.
How do I get rid of skunk smell?
Tomato juice does not remove it. It only covers it for a short time. Open windows and air out the space. For a sprayed pet, ask your vet about a safe deskunking wash and keep it away from the eyes. If the smell comes from a den under your home, the den itself has to be cleaned out.
Is it legal to trap a skunk in Ontario?
Yes, on your own property, if the skunk is damaging it. You must treat the animal humanely, release it within 24 hours, and release it within 1 km of where you caught it. You can also hire a wildlife agent to do it for you.
How long does professional skunk removal take?
Most jobs take a few days to a week. A den with babies can take longer, because every animal has to be out before the gap is sealed.
Conclusion
A skunk under your deck does not stay a small problem. By spring it can be a family, and by summer it can be a repair bill. Professional skunk removal London homeowners can count on stops the problem at the source: the den.
Do not wait for the smell to settle in. Call The BS Pest Control at +1 (437) 329-4500, message us on WhatsApp, or request a free quote today.
