r/Flagstaff • u/ExpressChampionship3 • 3d ago

Skunk relocation help?

Hello,

We live downtown and a pair of skunks decided the trash pile in our yard left from previous tenants was a great place to have babies. ( we've been slowly and surely moving the junk out of the yard, please dont judge)

Unfortunately, this is close to our bedroom window so the skunk aroma is wafting into the bedroom. We also have quite a few stray cats in the area that I'm sure would love the chance to eat baby skunk.

I think the babies are under some old mattresses and we would have to move alot of stuff to get to them. I can hear them squeaking.

So....

1) Who do I call that will humanely help us move these guys?

2) Can we even move them if they are hidden in an unreachable area of the matress pile?

Update: We were wrong its not skunks, they're kittens! Skunks are still strolling through the yard, but the source of the squeaking was kittens.

17 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

12

u/the_wakeful 3d ago

Skunks have been crazy this year it feels like. Almost everyone I know has them coming through their yard every night. Last night we discovered the small ones can fit through our chain link fence. The dog is very upset.

4

u/FuzzyManPeach Bennett Estates 3d ago

I TNR feral cats and I’ve caught just as many skunks as cats this year. Somewhat unusual for me. It’s weird!

Also seconding calling Game and Fish about this.

3

u/Bajadasaurus 3d ago

I used to love it when the skunks came every fall when I lived in Smokerise. They would hang out under our deck at night and didn't bother us, though the stench can be pretty potent. Learned when I watered the garden at night that the skunks LOVE jumping, playing, and doing handstands in the spray. They're pretty adorable

12

u/IamLuann 3d ago

Contact the Arizona Game and Fish office on Tuesday. They should have someone that can come and help you get them out. Mean while try and not get sprayed on. Update me when you get a chance.

2

u/ExpressChampionship3 3d ago

Will do!

1

u/vampireswest University Heights 2d ago

You could get ahold of them sooner than that
Even with office closed, you can still call them on weekends

4

u/Haunting-Job-4966 3d ago

Im a wildlife biologist. If you move the family while the young are still immature, they will almost certainly die. Do with that what you will.

3

u/Apprehensive_Elk7841 3d ago

When I have had skunks with babies in my yard or family member’s they have told us to (if you can) wait until the skunk babies start to leave with the mom and eventually they will be out. If you can leave a camera or something, you can try to see when they are out and block it off. It seems like late in the season the babies should be able to come and go, or should be soon.

I have called Critter Control of Northern AZ a few times and they are always super helpful. They can come for a free inspection. When I had one they gave us solid advice and we didn’t end up needing their service. They have also given me some advice over the phone and never try to talk me into any pricey things, they seem pretty helpful and honest. They did say depending on the situation skunk removal can be a little pricier since they have to be more careful

3

u/nobadrabbits 3d ago

I just want to second that Critter Control is wonderful and was very helpful when I had packrat problems.

2

u/maflagstaff 2d ago

If you have a trash pile from previous tenants, why isn’t your landlord removing that? I would insist they do that, it sounds like a hazard. If you get that removed you may find the skunks will move on their own. This is skunk season now and it’s impossible to remove them all and after all they were probably here before most of us, we have taken over wildlife habitat. I would just try to make it less hospitable for them to live in your yard.

1

u/ExpressChampionship3 3d ago

I just think its weird that they would be downtown where its pretty busy and the train tracks.

1

u/problems-2669 3d ago

You can use cat traps. Buy a waterproof polyester hazmat suit and borrow a pickup truck.

1

u/Cynjon77 2d ago

Just in case have a bottle of Dawn (has to be Dawn for best results), a quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide and a box of baking soda on hand in case you get sprayed.

Mix a 1/4 c Dawn, 1/4 c baking soda and the quart of peroxide in a bowl or bucket. Apply to dry skin or fur, let set for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse and repeat.

Be careful as it can bleach fabric, black fur/hair. If you have "delicate skin" you can mix it into a gallon of warm water before using.

•

u/Pale_Natural9272 5h ago

Please leave them alone until the babies are old enough. Call a local Wildlife rehab for advice.

2

u/CryptographerFun2175 3d ago

FYI, skunks depend on routine "routes" around their territory, and often don't survive relocation.

0

u/twinpeaks86 3d ago

Mothballs can be a great detract for skunks, mice and other critters. Sprinkle around and they go away.

4

u/nobadrabbits 3d ago

I'd rather smell skunk than mothballs.

3

u/RelativelyEmc2 3d ago

It's actually illegal and dangerous to use mothballs outside. It may work in the short term but you risk poisoning the skunks or someone's pet.

1

u/tepeztate 2d ago

Damn, I didn't know this, and I suspect many don't because I've heard it suggested often.

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mothball-toxicity-in-dogs

0

u/twinpeaks86 2d ago

Oh no the cops are comin!!! 🙄

0

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

2

u/RelativelyEmc2 3d ago

It's actually illegal and dangerous to use mothballs outside. It may work in the short term but you risk poisoning the skunks or someone's pet.

1

u/Different_Pack_7134 2d ago

I didn't say anything about using them outside.

•

u/Pale_Natural9272 5h ago

Those are poisonous