My Branch:  43215 - Columbus >
Please enter a valid zipcode
My Branch:  43215 - Columbus >
Please enter a valid zipcode

Skunk removal services

Terminix can identify skunk activity, safely remove the animal, and create a customized plan to help prevent them from coming back.

Need a skunk exterminator?

Skunks are known for their powerful defensive spray, which can leave a lingering odor that’s difficult to remove. They can dig up lawns in search of grubs, burrow under decks or sheds, and pose a risk to pets or anyone who gets too close. Beyond the smell, skunks can also carry diseases like rabies, making them a potential health concern.

A close-up photograph of a striped skunk sitting in tall green grass near the brick foundation of a house, looking directly forward.
  • Attempting skunk removal on your own can be tricky and dangerous.
  • Startling a skunk may trigger spraying, and handling wildlife increases the risk of bites or exposure to disease.
  • Terminix technicians understand skunk behavior, use proven removal methods, and can help prevent future activity.

Your skunk treatment options

Terminix technician examining side of house

Exclusion powered by Flexi Armour™

Wildlife exclusion is a proactive, humane approach that helps keep skunks and other wildlife out of your home by identifying and sealing potential entry points. We use various pest-proofing products to seal these entry points, including our exclusive Flexi Armour products made from durable knitted stainless steel mesh. Exclusion helps prevent animals from entering and reduces the risk of future infestations.

The Terminix It Guarantee means that if rodents and wildlife come back, so do we – at no additional cost. No excuses, just a commitment to care for your home like it's our own with protection you can trust.4

Our commitment to you, your family, and the environment

pet safe icon

Pet and family friendly

Applied with care for the people and pets you love

eco friendly icon

Eco-conscious solutions

Smart, targeted approaches designed with the environment in mind

humane icon

Local experts

Local technicians who understand your area’s unique pest challenges

Signs of skunks to look for

An illustration of a striped skunk walking past a house foundation with large, swirling green clouds of foul odor rising behind it.

Strong, lingering odor

A musky, sulfur-like smell is one of the most obvious signs a skunk is nearby, even if you haven’t seen it.

An illustration of several small, shallow, cone-shaped holes dug into a grassy lawn, representing skunk foraging behavior.

Holes in your lawn

Small, cone-shaped holes in grass or soil from skunks digging for grubs and insects.

An illustration of a skunk's striped tail poking out of a freshly dug burrow beneath a wooden backyard deck.

Burrows or den sites

Skunks often nest under decks, porches, sheds, or crawl spaces.

An illustration of a striped skunk walking through a backyard lawn next to a house foundation at night under a crescent moon.

Nocturnal activity

Skunks are most active at night, so sightings or noises after dark can be a key indicator.

What to expect from Terminix skunk control services

inspection

Wildlife inspection

We’ll inspect your home to check for signs of wildlife and risk factors that could make your home vulnerable.

Skunk removal & treatment

Our service technicians will use traps, baits, and other tools to get wildlife out.

Prevention

We'll also patch, seal, and secure your home's exterior using Flexi Armour to ensure that all wildlife stays out.

bed bug control inspection

Annual inspection

We'll come back and re-inspect your home each year for wildlife as long as you keep your plan. We will check previously secured entry points and check for new vulnerabilities.

FAQs about skunk control

Skunk removal costs vary depending on the severity of the issue and what services are needed. In general, wildlife removal costs are influenced by factors such as access, level of activity, and whether exclusion or cleanup services are required. Our technicians will inspect your yard and property to determine the best solution and walk you through the recommended treatment plan and pricing before any services are performed.

Here are some tips to help with skunk prevention:

  • Remove food sources: Secure trash bins, don’t leave pet food outside overnight, and reduce lawn grubs or other attractants.
  • Eliminate den areas: Seal gaps under decks, sheds, and porches, and remove woodpiles, debris, and overgrown brush.
  • Use motion-activated lights: Sudden bright lights can startle skunks and discourage nighttime activity.
  • Try skunk repellents: Commercial or homemade deterrents may help, but results can be inconsistent and require reapplication.

Skunk smell can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on how strong the spray was, how quickly it’s treated, and whether it soaked into surfaces. Outdoors, it usually lasts a few days. On pets or clothing, the smell can linger for weeks if not treated. Inside properties, it can last weeks or longer, if not cleaned thoroughly.

If you’re dealing with skunk spray, here are a few tips that can help remove the stench:

  • Ventilate the area. Open windows and doors to let it air out.
  • Clean hard surfaces. Use a skunk-odor neutralizer or a peroxide-based cleaner.
  • Wash fabrics immediately. Don’t let contaminated items sit.
  • Treat pets properly. Use a skunk-specific cleaning solution (not just soap and water).
  • Call professionals for heavy contamination. Especially if the odor is inside the walls or insulation.

If you find a skunk in your home, stay calm and avoid startling it. Skunks may spray when they feel threatened. Keep a safe distance and move pets and children to another area. Open doors or windows to give the skunk an escape route and allow it to leave on its own, if possible. If the skunk doesn’t leave or is trapped, do not attempt to handle it yourself. Contact a professional skunk control or removal service to safely and humanely remove the animal.

Skunks don’t have a true “season,” but they are most active from late winter through fall. Activity usually picks up in late winter during mating season, peaks in spring as they search for food and den sites, and continues through summer and early fall as they forage. In colder winter months, skunks become less active and often stay in their dens for longer periods, though they don’t fully hibernate.

What is your address?

Your customized price is based on location.

Oops, we detected that your session has expired after a period of inactivity. Please enter your address to start again!

Loading

Already a terminix customer?

Sorry, we were unable to verify your service address .
If this is the correct address, please continue as is to resubmit, otherwise you may edit your address and try again.