An owner of a single-family residence in the residential area of Marieville, on the South Shore, contacted Nova Extermination after noticing repeated damage to his garden shed and under his rear porch. Night-time scratching noises, droppings and a characteristic smell pointed to the presence of a skunk that had settled under the concrete slab. The situation had been growing for several weeks, and the Sainte-Julie neighbourhood had also reported passages of this animal in the backyards of the neighbourhood. The owner, worried about his young children playing in the yard, wanted a quick and safe solution.
Inspection and identification of the situation
When our technicians arrived, a careful inspection of the exterior perimeter of the property identified two main access points: an opening under the treated wood gallery and an open space between the foundation and the shed. Scratch marks in the loose soil, hairs stuck in the edges and the morphology of the feces unequivocally confirmed that it was indeed a striped skunk, a common species on the South Shore. No youth were observed during the initial visual inspection, which simplified the intervention strategy and allowed for action without additional waiting time. Our technicians also checked to see if other animals, such as raccoons or groundhogs, shared the same area, which would have required a different strategy.
The condition of the gallery was assessed to determine if any structural damage had occurred in the past. Digging under the slab had not yet progressed to the main foundation, limiting the immediate risks to the integrity of the building. This information was communicated to the owner with the detailed inspection report, even before the capture work began.
Capture and relocation method
Our team set up a box-type cage trap, designed specifically for the capture of the skunk without injury. This type of trap, covered with an opaque canvas to reduce the animal’s stress and limit the risk of projection, was positioned directly in front of the main entrance identified under the gallery. A natural bait of canned sardines was used to lure the animal to the device. The trap was checked within twenty-four hours of installation, in accordance with the requirements of Quebec’s Regulation respecting animals in captivity.
The skunk was captured on the first night. The transport to a relocation site in a wooded area, at a sufficient distance to avoid the return of the animal, was carried out in accordance with the standards in force. Our animal capture service is designed to respect both the well-being of wildlife and the tranquility of residents. You can also consult our other animal capture projects to see the diversity of situations handled throughout the South Shore and the South Shore.
Securing entry points
Once the animal was relocated, our team closed the entry points to prevent any future re-infiltration. Under the gallery, a galvanized wire mesh was buried in an L-shape in the ground to a depth of about thirty centimeters, thus discouraging any future digging by burrowing animals. The space between the shed and the foundation was sealed with rigid expansion foam and a perforated steel plate securely attached. This sealing work provides long-lasting protection from not only skunks, but also groundhogs and raccoons that may try their luck in the fall when temperatures drop and animals seek shelter for the winter.
The entire tour of the gallery was inspected for other unsecured spaces. Two small cracks in the foundation were reported to the owner for follow-up, although they were not an immediate access for the skunk-sized animals. Complete photographic documentation of the work was provided to the owner at the end of the intervention.
Prevention and recommendations for the future
In addition to the closure work, our technicians gave the owner a list of preventive recommendations adapted to his residential context: do not leave pet food outside after sunset, secure compost bins with a lockable lid and eliminate sources of stagnant water that attract small mammals in the summer. It is also advisable to prune shrubs in direct contact with the ground at the edge of the foundation, as these dense areas provide ideal cover for wild animals looking to nest. Nova Extermination offers seasonal follow-up visits to ensure that the sealing work holds up well throughout the seasons, especially after the spring thaw which can move buried materials. For any new wildlife problem on the South Shore, our team is available quickly. Also consult our realization on raccoons to understand how we intervene on similar animals in comparable residential contexts.