Orphan Alert: Be very careful not to create orphan skunks by accident. Mother skunks often give birth in the spring in and around our dwellings. When homeowners hire pest control companies to remove the mother, the babies will be left behind. The best solution is to let the family stay until the babies are old enough to take off on their own. Once you are sure the skunks have moved out, seal up their entry and exit. Remember, skunks dig for food, so make sure that when you block their entry, the barrier continues approximately 6 inches below the soil.

What to do if you find…

Baby Skunks

1. Always wear gloves when handling skunks.

2. You are not likely to get sprayed so long as the situation is kept calm.

3. First, establish that the baby skunk needs to be rescued. If the baby looks healthy, it is best to wait and watch until evening before taking action. If there is no sign of the mother, or if the baby is injured or being stalked by a predator, or is in danger of wandering into a road, don’t wait, it’s time to bring the baby to Native Animal Rescue.

4. Warm a soft cloth or an old t-shirt in the dryer or a microwave over for 30 seconds and place it in the bottom of a box with air holes.

5. While wearing gloves, carefully lift the baby and place it in the ventilated box.

6. Close the box and bring it to Native Animal Rescue following the directions below.

7. If you are uncomfortable handling the baby, call Native Animal Rescue at 831-462-0726.

Injured Adult Skunks

1. Do not handle, feed, or transport the skunk.

2. Contact Native Animal Rescue at 831-462-0726.

3. If you are unable to contact Native Animal Rescue, call Wildlife Emergency Services at 831-429-2323.

Are you having problems with skunks on your property? We have lots of ideas for dealing with skunks in your yard, under your home, or elsewhere on your property. Click here to get started.

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Native Animal Rescue        1855 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062