http://www.animalcapturewildlifecontrol.com/ | Got a bit of a stinky problem at home? Perhaps, a skunk? Lucky you Animal Capture Wildlife Control offers skunk removal and other animal removal services in Los Angeles. Learn more about skunks and their pesky habits that damage LA landscapes.

1. Skunks: A Smelly Nuisance
Skunks are common in North America, especially the striped skunk. Skunks are avid
diggers, building underground dens to bear and raise their young and escape the cold
during wintertime. In addition to the striped skunk, North America is also home to three
other species, including the hooded skunk, spotted skunk, and hog-nosed skunk.
Skunks become a problem when their den-building efforts destroy landscaping. Aside
from that, people typically don't want them around because of their unusual habit of
spraying humans and pets with a noxious-smelling spray when agitated. These critters
often make dens under decks, beneath trees, or around the foundation of the home where
they feel protected. Skunks also tear up landscaping and lawns digging for grubs. But
skunks aren't all bad -- they actually do a lot to control bug and rodent populations.
Skunks generally reserve their spray as a last resort to defend themselves. Before
spraying, skunks usually growl, spit, puff up their fur, wave their tail, and stomp.
Fortunately, skunks rarely bite people. Skunks can spray up to 15 feet, and their glands
hold enough stink juice to spray five to six times in a row. It's best to play it safe and opt
for a professional skunk trapping in Los Angeles.
Skunks are most likely to spray when defending their young, which are usually born
between late April and early June. They look for warm, dry places, away from light
where they can easily defend the den. When it's time for a skunk to find food, they will
venture five to ten miles away from their den, looking for beetles, worms, lizards, fruits,
berries, small rodents, eggs, or even garbage. Skunks are omnivores, and will eat both
plants and other animals.
Skunks give birth to one to seven kits at a time. This means a couple of skunks around
your yard can turn into several in the springtime. Unfortunately, skunks are attracted to
areas where people are, partly because garbage is an easy food source. Though bites are
rare, skunks do carry diseases, primarily rabies. Skunks also carry roundworms,
leptospirosis, distemper, and canine hepatitis, as well as parasites like fleas, ticks, mites,
and lice. Some of these diseases are dangerous to people, and most can be transmitted to
domestic pets like dogs and cats. Their spray, however, does not carry any diseases.
Due to their potential danger to pets and people, it's advisable not to try to remove
nuisance skunks on your own unless you have training in wildlife removal. Skunk
removal in Los Angeles is as easy as calling Animal Capture Wildlife Control. Specialists
here are familiar with the hazards of capturing and removing skunks without setting off
their most horrifying defense mechanism -- that smell! The skunks are removed
humanely and set free away from people, where they will be able to raise their young and
live out their lives.
Note that it is illegal in the state of California to keep wildlife as pets. Though the scent
glands can be removed to avoid the possibility of getting sprayed, skunks cannot be
captured and kept as pets in California. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators can obtain a

2. license to keep a skunk, and then only until the animal can safely be returned to its
natural habitat.
Summary:
Skunks don't typically bite, but are known to spray unsuspecting people and pets with
their stink. Skunks should also be moved away from inhabited areas to avoid the spread
of disease and parasites.
Bio:
Animal Capture Wildlife Control has over a decade of experience in safely removing and
relocating nuisance wildlife in Los Angeles, Bakersfield, and surrounding areas in
southern California. In addition to skunks, Animal Capture Wildlife Control can handle
snakes, bats, opossum, raccoons, and other nuisance animals.
Sources:
1. http://www.critters360.com/index.php/some-diseases-carried-by-skunks-13229/
2. http://www.georgiawildlife.com/SkunkFacts