Tag Archives: skunks

Do I Need a Permit to Remove a Nuisance Animal in Illinois?

Raccoons carrying disease into your home

You may not realize it, but that nuisance animal in your attic, shed, garage or on your property might be legally protected in Illinois.

Most wildlife is protected by law and cannot be killed or even removed without a permit.

The Illinois Department of National Resources is tasked with conservation and management of wild species in Illinois. By Illinois law, a property owner or tenant needs a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit to trap and remove most species of wildlife.

By Illinois law, property owners or tenants need a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit (PDF) to trap and remove most species of wildlife.

Is the animal you want to remove a protected species? We’ve listed the most common nuisance animals in Illinois below.

Questions? Call Attic Solutions at (847) 464-1861

Mice, Norway rats, moles, voles, gophers, and shrews

These small mammals may all be removed with no permit needed.

Exceptions to this rule include the eastern woodrat and rice rat, which are endangered species in Illinois. These two species may not be removed.

Ground squirrels and chipmunks

The eastern chipmunk and the thirteen-lined ground squirrels may be removed without a permit.

Franklins ground squirrels are listed as threatened in Illinois and may not be removed.

Raccoons, skunks, opossums, beavers, muskrats, red foxes, gray foxes, mink, river otters, badgers, weasels, woodchucks, coyotes, and bobcats

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recommends hiring a professional wildlife removal service to capture and remove fur-bearing animals. If you want to remove a fur-bearing animal yourself, contact an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist to see if you qualify for a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit.

In rural areas, the IDNR encourages removal of most furbearers during open hunting and trapping seasons whenever possible. All Illinois hunting regulations must be followed. For more information on hunting and trapping regulations, visit the IDNR Licenses & Hunting site.

Related: Common animal entry points

Gray squirrels, fox squirrels, red squirrels, and southern flying squirrels

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recommends hiring a professional wildlife removal service to capture and remove squirrels. If you want to remove a squirrel yourself, contact an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist to see if you qualify for a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit.

In rural areas, gray squirrels and fox squirrels may be taken during open hunting seasons.

Rabbits

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recommends hiring a professional wildlife removal service to capture and remove rabbits. If you want to remove a rabbit yourself, contact an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist to see if you qualify for a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit.

In rural areas, rabbits may be taken during open hunting seasons.

Bats

The (IDNR) recommends hiring a professional bat removal service to capture and remove bats.

Bats inside rooms will usually exit on their own. Close off exits to the room and keep windows open overnight.

White-Tailed Deer

White-tailed deer are protected under the Illinois Wildlife Code as a game species. It is illegal to take live deer from the wild unless you have received a permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) or are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

IDNR Deer Removal Guidelines (PDF)

In rural areas, deer hunting is permitted in season. All state hunting regulations must be followed. Outside of hunting season, or in situations where hunting is not allowed, a deer removal permit may be issued by an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist.

A person who hits and kills a deer with a motorized vehicle can legally claim the deer to salvage the meat, hide, and antlers.

For more information on hunting and trapping in Illinois visit the Illinois Department of National Resources.

For professional animal removal services in Chicagoland call Attic Solutions (847) 464-1861

What to do When Your Dog Gets Skunked

Something smells….. skunky.

Uh-oh!

So your dog just got skunked. Bad news. Now what?

There are over the counter skunk odor removal products. You can start there if you have some already on hand. You may not want to make the trip to the store right now. What are your other options?

Related: How to get rid of skunk smell

Step One: Keep your dog outside

If you’ve already let your dog into the house, then sorry. Sometimes your dog comes inside the house before you realize what has happened.

We’ve heard the horror stories about how a dog will run inside that then immediately start rolling on the carpet or couch to get that smell off. You do not want that happening!

If you do notice that your dog has red, irritated or swelling eyes, immediately flush them with cool water.

You may want to get a towel over him to help try to keep the odor off of you and help sooth him.

Related: Protect your yard from skunks

For professional skunk removal in Chicagoland, please call (847) 464-1861

Step Two: Homemade skunk odor removal solution

A popular home remedy people have heard of is tomato juice. It’s not actually the most effective method, though. It will help cover up the smell in the short term but tomato juice will not actually remove it.

Here is a better skunk odor removal solution, and you may already have all these ingredients in your home.

Skunk rinse recipe:

1 quart of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide (available at any pharmacy)
1/4 cup baking soda
1-2 teaspoons of liquid dishwashing soap

For a larger dog, you may need to double or triple this recipe.

Mix your ingredients together. DO NOT make this mix ahead of time because this solution can become unstable over time when stored.

Use a wash basin or tub if possible. If you have dishwashing gloves or some type of work gloves you don’t mind sacrificing to the cause, we recommend using them to protect yourself from the skunk smell.

Get your dog into the wash tub and rub the mixture through their fur, and over their entire body, but be sure to avoid the eyes. Rub and lather the mixture well into your pet’s coat and skin. Rub the solution around for about five minutes or until the skunk smell starts to dissipate.

Be careful about leaving it on too long because peroxide could bleach their fur. Rinse thoroughly.

You may need to repeat the lather and rinse process up to three times for it to be most effective, but it’s a very good method for removing the skunk smell from your dog.

Step Three: Rinse solution and then shampoo

After you have thoroughly washed your dog with the homemade skunk rinse, wash all the solution off of them. Then get the shampoo that you would normally use to wash your dog and give him a good shampoo followed by another water rinse.

Give your dog a good towel dry and he should be better now.

No matter what you do, it will be a challenge to completely remove the odor from your dog. It’s common for dogs to get sprayed right in their face and this can be a very challenging area to wash fully and completely because it’s sensitive and your do will probably fight it.

We hope this helps!

Cleaning a skunky dog is not fun, for either of you. It has to be done, though.

Be careful about letting your dog into the yard at dawn and dusk when skunks are most active. Don’t leave out any food or trash which could attract them.

For professional skunk removal, contact us online or call (847) 464-1861

Photo credits: Skunk image | Dog in washtub

Repel Skunks

repel skunks

Are skunks invading your yard or home? If you’re familiar with the pesky creatures, you know they have a tendency to dig up your flowers and gardens. In addition, their pungent spray is enough to scare away any predator, including you and your pets! Though we recommend contacting professionals to remove your skunks safely and effectively, here are a few of our suggestions repel skunks in the mean time.

Remove Skunk’s Food Source

The fastest way to repel skunks is to remove all food sources. If your yard has no tasty, easily accessible food pests will find a new home. Keep all garbage cans tightly shut. Do not leave pet food or water dishes out overnight. Pick up any fruit that may have dropped to the ground from fruit-bearing trees. This step may be exhaustive, but it can prevent skunks and other pests from coming to your home.

Use Light To Repel Skunks

Skunks are nocturnal animals, which means they are most active during the night. Bright light has the potential to scare them away for a short time. This method is moderately effective, as skunks become accustomed to the light. Shining a bright light on your garden may repel skunks for a little while, but it isn’t very practical. Additionally, it is not very cost effective to blast your entire yard with a bright lighting system.

Deter with water

If your home has an automatic sprinkler system in place, you may have a short-term solution to your skunk problem! Automated sprinkler systems can squirt any animal that triggers the motion sensor. The skunks in your yard may be frightened enough to leave for good, but they may also become familiar with the water and ignore it.

Skunk Repellant Spray

There is no approved poison for skunks. In fact, it is illegal to kill them by use of poison. However, you can try using a natural repellant recipe to deter skunks from digging up your garden. Boil up cayenne pepper, jalapeños, and yellow onion, then strain the mixture, and keep the remaining liquid in a spray bottle. Use this every 3 days on your garden, plants, or whatever you want the skunk to avoid. This recipe can be successful if used continuously.

Fencing

Barriers can be effective against skunks, because they are poor climbers and jumpers. Use mesh wire on any areas of your home that skunks may want to dig and nest near. Placing this wire about 3 feet high should prevent skunks from penetrating the barrier. Use this in areas like sheds, decks, and openings near your home.

Striped Skunk Of Illinois

striped skunk

The striped skunk is native to North America and the most commonly found species of skunk in Illinois. In fact, the Cree and Ojibwe word shee-gawk, which means skunk-land, is the root word for Chicago. Skunks are known for their distinct black and white striped fur and pungent spray.

Behavior

Striped skunks typically breed one time per year, with mating season occurring between February and April. Kits are born in May or early June. Litter size is usually 2 to 10 kits, but occasionally litters are larger. Kits become independent after about 3 months. Skunks are nocturnal and active at night.

Skunk Homes

Striped skunks dig dens to use for nesting during the warmer months. They also occupy dens built by other animals, if available. They generally live in brushy, woodland areas but in northwestern Illinois, specifically, the skunk population actually prefers cultivated areas. They also use their dens for resting during the winter months. They do not hibernate. Instead, skunks live off their fat reserves and occasionally forage for food.

Striped Skunk Diet

Skunks are insectivores but the striped skunk eats other animals or vegetables as well. Since they are opportunistic animals, they’ll eat whatever is easiest to find. They usually eat beetles, caterpillars, grub, worms, and grasshoppers but will eat eggs, frogs, and mice during colder months. They also eat fruit and vegetables like apples, cherries, berries, and corn that have fallen to the ground.

Striped Skunks & Predators

The skunk has few natural predators due to its powerful musk spray. Wolves and coyotes will avoid them unless food is scarce. Because of this, it’s important to remove skunks from your property, as natural predators will unlikely resolve the issue. Skunks have a poor homing sense. Once they leave your property will usually not return. However, if you see the same skunks regularly, they may have built or found a den near your home and plan to stay.

If you discover skunks on your property call pest control immediately to have them safely and effectively removed.

Common Skunk Myths

Now that we’re well into summer, you’ve probably smelled that familiar musky odor that can only be a skunk more than a few times. While skunks are a commonly known critter, there are still many myths about them. Since this is the time of year for increased skunk activity, it’s a perfect opportunity to dispel some myths about our smelly friends.

Common Skunk Myths

Tomato juice will remove the smell of skunk spray.

We’ve all heard this one. In fact, you probably know someone who has bathed themselves or their pet in tomato after an unintended encounter with a skunk. Unfortunately, bathing in tomato juice will only make you smell like, well, tomato juice. And once the tomato juice smell goes away, you’ll be back to smelling like a skunk. See, a skunk smell is so strong your nose actually gets used to it by binding your smell receptors. This phenomenon is called olfactory fatigue.

Skunks will spray you if you get too close.

Skunks only spray when they feel threatened or are frightened. It is their natural defense against predators and that’s what they use it for. If you find yourself close to a skunk avoid making rapid or quick movements or shouting. Dogs usually only get sprayed when they start jumping toward the skunk and/or bark. Simply walk away slowly and you should be just fine.

Since skunks are nocturnal, they only come out at night.

Skunks are indeed nocturnal, but that does not mean they only come out at night. Some come out during the day to search for food if a predator has been preventing them from venturing out at night or a mother has been tending to her young.

Fox urine is a skunk repellant.

Sorry to disappoint, but fox urine will not repel a skunk. The conventional wisdom was, if you spread fox urine the skunk would smell it and be frightened away since the fox is a natural predator. If skunks always ran away from fox urine, they wouldn’t have too many places to go in the wild.

As soon as you suspect you may have a skunk infestation, call us immediately at 847-464-1861 for removal. We are trained professionals and equipped to deal with wild animals.

Protecting Your Yard From Skunks

Skunks may not look very threatening, and they are not, but they can be a nuisance for your yard. In fact, they are capable of doing quite a bit of damage to property if you do not properly protect your yard. Follow these techniques to protect your yard against skunks.

Did A Skunk Move In?

First, be sure a skunk moved in. You will most likely smell its strong, musky odor before you see it! Another clue is 3-4 inch holes in your yard and around the exterior of your home.

Prevent Denning

If you see any holes around your yard, fill them loosely with leaves, straw, soil, crumpled up paper, and other similar materials. Filling it loosely with these types of things allows for an animal who may be in there to safely escape. After a few nights, if you see the material is undisturbed, you can permanently fill in the hole.

Make Your Yard Unattractive To Skunks

Now that the warm summer months are here, it is not unheard of to feed our pets outside. The only problem is skunks (and other creatures) love pet food as much as our pets. If you have to feed your pet outdoors, it is best to remove the food and dishes as soon as your pet is finished. Additionally, skunks are attracted to garbage. Try to limit the time your garbage is out and if you leave it in a place like a garage, keep that area secure so skunks can not get in. Another way to make your yard unattractive to skunks is to avoid over watering your lawn. Skunks dig for grubs and when the soil is drier, the grubs are further down and more difficult for skunks to reach. If finding food in your yard is challenging, a skunk will move on somewhere else.
If you suspect you have a skunk infestation, call Attic Solutions immediately at 847-464-1861 for removal. We are trained professionals and equipped to deal with wild animals.

Skunks’ Winter Habits

Many people are under the impression that skunks hibernate during the winter. While skunks do typically go dormant for a month or so during the winter season, they do not truly hibernate.

skunk-46167 True hibernators have a considerably lower heart rate, have almost no respiration and only take a couple of breaths per minute. Skunks do not have these drastic drops in heart rate or respiration. Skunks do prepare for winter in similar ways as hibernating animals though. They eat large amounts so that during the long naps they do take they can survive on their fat stores.

During their long winter naps, skunks can sense a rise a temperature. This easily wakes them and they usually immediately search for food. Males are typically more active than females, so if you happen to come across a skunk during the winter months, it is likely a male.

Where do Skunks Live in the Winter?

During the winter, skunks usually live in a burrowed den underground. They usually line their dens with grass, leaves, and other foliage in order to keep warm and they have several entrances/exits to quickly escape danger. Skunks have been known to move in to an open shed or garage as well. Skunks are excellent diggers and seek the easiest point of entry. If you’re concerned about skunks moving in during the winter, keep an eye out for any holes, typically 3-4 inches, in your garden, yard, and around your home exterior. Skunks may also move in under your deck or porch and build a den there to avoid the elements. If you smell a musky odor and hear noises at night, you might have a skunk.

Skunks can do damage to your property if they decide to seek refuge there during the winter. Their burrowing for a den and digging for food are usually the most common nuisance. Your yard and garden may be damaged by a skunk searching for food or burrowing. Attic Solutions specializes in locating and sealing burrows, trapping and removing skunks, and fixing damage to your home.

As soon as you suspect you may have a skunk infestation, contact us online or call us immediately at 847-464-1861 for removal. We are trained professionals and equipped to deal with wild animals.

Spring is the Mating Season for Skunks

The spring season is the beginning of new life and the mating season for many animals around the Chicago area including the skunk. As the weather starts to warm up, skunks increase their activity and begin their mating rituals in which female skunks will spray rejected male skunks and put their smell into the air. Homeowners should keep an eye out for skunks around their property because they can become a nuisance by burrowing in the yard, secreting their odors, and spreading diseases such as rabies through their bite. If a skunk has become a problem around your home, it is best to call an animal control professional to remove it.

Types of Skunks

There are four species of skunk that are found in the United States; the striped skunk, the spotted skunk, the hog-nosed skunk, and the hooded skunk. The striped skunk is the most common type found in the Chicago area as the spotted skunk is rare in some areas and the hooded and hog-nosed skunks are mostly found in the southwestern regions of the U.S. Each skunk type has stocky legs and large feet with claws that are excellent for digging.

Skunk Breeding Habits

Skunks are nocturnal creatures that tend to stay within a half a mile to a 2 mile diameter around their home area but males may wander about 4 or 5 miles during mating season. The breeding season for adult skunks begins in late February and litters are typically born in early May from older female skunks and in early June from younger female skunks. Skunks normally have one litter per year of 4 to 6 young but a skunk litter can contain anywhere from 2 to 16 young.

Damage from Skunks

Skunks can be a nuisance to homeowners with their burrowing, odor secretions, and their potential to spread diseases. The burrowing causes the most problems as skunks may dig under porches, sheds, and decks and may even enter buildings through the foundation. They also dig up lawns in search of grubs and have been known to dig through unsecured garbage. Their secretions are another potential nuisance as skunks are very defensive and may spray when they feel threatened by people or pets. If a skunk bites a human or another animal, they could spread diseases such as rabies and Leptospirosis among others.

As soon as you suspect you may have a skunk infestation, call us immediately at 847-464-1861 for removal. We are trained professionals and equipped to deal with skunk exclusion and removal, including humane live animal trapping (never poisons!). We will remove the skunks and fix any property damage they may have caused. Click to read more about skunk removal services from Attic Solutions.