Nuisance Skunk Trapping with Positive Sets – Barnes Wildlife Control

Jacob Barnes from Barnes Wildlife Control in Ohio put together this article on positive sets for nuisance skunk trapping.  Whether you’re a trapper looking to do some nuisance skunk work, or a homeowner with skunk problems, this can be a very effective method.

If you live in the urban or rural areas at one time or another you have probably smelled a skunk nearby and you may be in need of nuisance skunk trapping service. Nuisance skunk trapping service is only required when the skunks take up residence on your property or if there is a risk of exposure to pets or people. The majority of the time skunk removal isn’t necessary, as they are just passing through in search of a mate or food.

However, if you see digging around your concrete porch steps or smell the putrid stink of a skunk inside the house, it’s time to take action. One of the best methods for nuisance skunk trapping service is to use a technique referred to as positive setting. Positive sets for traps means that you are not giving the target animal an option whether they like the lure or bait to attract them voluntarily into the cage. In order for this to be effective, you must first locate the animal’s burrow site and idenitify any entry and exit points. Blocking must be added to seal off any exit points other than the main trails. Once the blocking is complete, then set the positive set directly over the last remaining hole or holes depending on the situation. Many times it is necessary to set several sets if you suspect a large populaton such as after birthing season. In the Ohio area skunks birth around 7-9 offspring, so in the late spring it is not uncommon to catch over 10 animals in one den site.

In the image provided, two juvenile skunks are forced into the positive set repeating cage trap. This skunk trap has a spring loaded entry door and that allows the skunks to enter the holding area of the cage, but once trapped, there is no going back. This cage was manufactured by Barnes Wildlife Control out of 12 gauge 1” x 1” welded wire and features a nose bump to keep animals from being able to lift the door up once caught, a bait pan, and a rear release door. The tarp in the background was removed only for photography reasons, as all skunk traps should be covered securely to prevent a direct spray from the skunks. In order for this skunk trap setup to work as shown, attention to detail when blocking off other entry and exit points is key. Skunks have long fingernails and strong upper bodies for digging and foraging for food. If they are given an opening to get around the skunk trap, they most certainly will.

With this type of Nuisance Skunk Trapping Service setup, it allows the Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) to setup only one cage trap with the chance of catching the entire skunk family in one visit. Since skunks are nocturnal creatures, they are more than likely going to be under the shed or deck when you arrive during normal business hours to setup your traps. Then, if all goes as planned, you can return the following morning to remove the skunks from the property. Another advantage of positive setting skunk traps is there is almost 0% chance of catching a non-target species and upsetting the customer with additional animal removal fees.

For more information on nuisance skunk trapping services, visit www.barneswildlifecontrol.com/skunk-removal or feel free to contact the author at [email protected] for more detailed information.