A residential property in Saint-Ours, in the Montérégie region, whose backyard borders a wooded area not far from the Richelieu River, was the scene of a persistent problem of skunks relocating every spring under the back veranda. The owner had tried several times to keep the animals away by means of commercial repellents, without lasting success. The recurrent presence of one or two skunks each season disrupted the use of the garden and caused tension with the immediate neighbours. Our intervention aimed not only at capturing the individuals present, but above all at putting in place a permanent solution to break this cycle of reinfestation.
Recurrence analysis and access mapping
The first step in our intervention in Saint-Ours consisted of an exhaustive inspection of the grounds, carried out during the day to assess potential access to natural light and in the evening to observe the animals’ behaviour. Two active burrows have been identified: one under the veranda, the other against the foundation wall of the garden shed. Overnight perimeter thermal surveillance cameras identified two adult individuals moving between the burrows and the wooded area, which was the reason why previous attempts at a single entry point had failed.
Our exterminator in Saint-Ours also examined the bottom of the wooden fences delimiting the land, several of whose planks on the ground had spaces allowing the passage of medium-sized animals. The dense vegetation against the fence contributed to the creation of travel corridors that were difficult to monitor.
Simultaneous capture on two active points
To maximize efficiency and prevent animals from moving from one burrow to another in response to the traps, our technicians deployed skunk capture devices on both accesses simultaneously. Four cage traps were positioned in two groups, each group consisting of a trap at the entrance to the burrow and a trap slightly set back to intercept a possible second individual. The bait was renewed daily for five days.
The two skunks were captured on two consecutive nights. The handling was carried out safely by our equipped technicians, and the animals were relocated to a remote forest environment. Forty-eight hours of surveillance after the last capture confirmed the absence of any other individuals on the property.
Full closure and modification of the land
The closure of the entry points was carried out in a complete manner: heavy fencing around the veranda, shotcrete against the shed foundation, and replacement of the fence boards that were too deteriorated to ensure waterproofing. In addition, our technicians cleared the dense vegetation against the fence over a width of about fifty centimetres, thus eliminating the most favourable travel corridors for skunks. Border gravel was placed along the fence to discourage digging.
Long-term support
In order to avoid reproducing the annual infestation cycle, the owner received support on preventive practices: airtight securing of the compost bin, installation of motion-sensing lights at the back of the house and visual inspection of the perimeter at each change of season. Our extermination company is committed to offering follow-up after each intervention to ensure the sustainability of the measures put in place. In the context of wooded land, this monitoring takes on particular importance: new individuals may try to settle each spring, attracted by the residual odours left by the previous occupants. For this reason, a perimeter inspection is recommended each year when the snow melts, when skunks begin to explore their territory again after winter. The edge gravel installed along the fence also acts as a visual indicator of potential digging, detecting early activity before a burrow is dug. Check out our related accomplishments on a similar wooded land intervention and raccoon management on comparable properties to better understand our overall approach to urban wildlife.