If you’ve noticed the telltale stink of a skunk lingering around your yard or under your home, it’s time to take action. Skunks aren’t just a smelly nuisance — they can dig up your lawn, raid chicken coops, and even carry rabies. The cost to remove skunks ranges from $300 to $600, with most homeowners paying around $450 for professional wildlife removal.
The biggest cost factors include the number of skunks, where they’re hiding, and how difficult it is to trap and relocate them. A single skunk in an accessible spot like a backyard may cost less, while multiple skunks under a deck or in a crawl space will be more expensive. Emergency or after-hours services also add to the price.
While DIY trapping is possible, it comes with risks — skunks may bite, scratch, or spray if handled improperly. Hiring a professional ensures safe and humane removal, plus expert advice on preventing future skunk invasions.
In this guide, we’ll break down skunk removal costs, what affects pricing, and whether it’s worth hiring a pro over trying to handle it yourself.
If trying to exterminate skunks on your own becomes too challenging, we recommend Orkin, Terminix, and Aptive. These exterminators have some of the best-trained professionals who are able to use traps, baits, and other chemically treated solutions that are often more effective than standard DIY methods.
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Skunk Removal Cost
The cost of skunk removal depends on the type of service you need. Here’s a look at typical pricing:
| Service Type | Average Cost | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| One-Time Visit | $150 – $350 | Inspection, trapping, and removal of skunks. Ideal for minor cases. |
| Monthly Service | $125 – $300 (initial), $50 – $75 (per visit) | Ongoing inspections and skunk prevention treatments. |
| Annual Service | $125 – $500 | Yearly inspections and preventive measures to keep skunks away. |
- Emergency Removal: Expect to pay more for after-hours or same-day services, especially if a skunk is inside your home or acting aggressively.
- Repairs & Cleanup: If skunks have damaged your yard, sprayed near entryways, or dug under structures, additional costs may apply for deodorizing and sealing off access points.
What Influences Cost?
Several factors determine how much you’ll pay for skunk removal. Here’s what affects the price:
Severity
The more skunks you have, the more expensive removal will be. A lone skunk in an open yard costs less to trap than a family of skunks living under a deck or crawl space. If skunks have been on your property for a while, removal may take multiple visits, increasing costs.
Location
Where the skunks are hiding plays a major role in cost. Easier-to-access areas, like backyards and sheds, are cheaper. If skunks are under your house, porch, or inside a crawl space, removal is more challenging, and professionals may charge extra for the added labor.
Removal Methods
Most professionals use live traps, which are humane and effective. Once trapped, the skunks are relocated to a safe area. Emergency removals — such as dealing with a rabid skunk or one stuck inside your home — are more expensive since they require immediate response.
Repairs and Cleanup
Skunks aren’t highly destructive, but they can dig up yards, damage chicken coops, or spray near your home. If you need odor removal, yard repair, or exclusion work (like sealing off entry points), this will add to the cost.
As a whole, skunk infestations do not typically require large amounts of repairs.
Signs & Causes of Infestation
Skunks are nocturnal and excellent at hiding, so you might not see them directly. Here are some typical signs of skunk infestation:
- Strong, lingering odor – If you frequently smell skunk spray, especially near crawl spaces or under decks, one may be living nearby.
- Holes in your yard – Skunks dig shallow, cone-shaped holes in search of grubs.
- Skunk droppings – Similar in size to cat feces, often containing insect parts, seeds, or berries.
- Skunk footprints – Five toes on both front and back feet, with visible claw marks.
- Nocturnal noises – Scratching, rustling, or whining sounds at night, especially under porches or in crawl spaces.
- Daytime skunk sightings – Seeing a skunk during the day may indicate illness, such as rabies. Avoid approaching.
If you notice these signs, taking action quickly can prevent damage and reduce removal costs.
Health Risks
While skunks aren’t aggressive, they pose serious health risks to humans and pets.
Rabies & Disease Transmission
Skunks are one of the top carriers of rabies in North America. A rabid skunk may appear disoriented, aggressive, or be active during the day. Never approach a skunk that seems sick or unusually bold. In addition to rabies, skunks can spread:
- Leptospirosis – A bacterial infection that spreads through contaminated water or soil.
- Parasites – Skunks carry fleas, ticks, and lice, which can transfer to pets and humans.
Skunk Spray Hazards
A skunk’s defensive spray contains sulfur-based chemicals that cause intense burning and temporary blindness if sprayed in the eyes. It will also leave a lingering odor that’s difficult to remove from clothing, pets, and furniture.
Attacks on Small Animals
While rare, skunks may kill small pets or poultry if they invade coops or feel threatened. They are especially drawn to chicken eggs and may damage coops if given access.
If you suspect a rabid skunk on your property, contact animal control or a wildlife removal service immediately.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Trying to remove a skunk on your own can be risky and challenging. Here’s a breakdown of DIY vs. professional removal so you can decide what’s best for your situation.
DIY Skunk Removal
Pros:
✔️ Lower cost than hiring a professional
✔️ Can use deterrents to encourage skunks to leave naturally
Cons:
❌ High risk of getting sprayed, bitten, or scratched
❌ Difficult to trap without experience
❌ Handling a trapped skunk requires extreme caution
❌ May be illegal in some areas to relocate wildlife
DIY Methods:
- Block entry points – If you suspect a skunk under your deck or shed, seal all openings except one and monitor for activity.
- Use deterrents – Motion-activated lights, ammonia-soaked rags, or commercial skunk repellents can help encourage them to leave.
- Carefully set a live trap – Common baits include peanut butter, jelly, or overripe fruit. If trapping, check local laws about skunk relocation.
Hiring a Professional
Pros:
✔️ Safe, humane removal with minimal risk
✔️ Professionals know how to avoid getting sprayed
✔️ Can identify and seal entry points to prevent return
✔️ Fast and effective, especially for larger infestations
Cons:
❌ Higher cost than DIY methods
If you have multiple skunks, a mother with babies, or a skunk inside your home, hiring a pro is the best option. Wildlife control specialists handle the entire process safely and can recommend long-term prevention methods to keep skunks from returning.
What is the Standard Skunk Extermination Process?
When you hire a professional, they’ll start with a thorough inspection of your property to locate the skunks and determine the best removal strategy. They’ll check common hiding spots like crawl spaces, decks, and sheds, looking for burrows, tracks, and signs of damage. If multiple skunks are present, the removal plan may involve setting multiple traps or scheduling repeat visits.
Trapping is the most common and humane method for skunk removal. Professionals use live traps baited with foods like peanut butter or fruit. Once captured, the skunks are relocated far from your home to prevent them from returning. If a skunk is rabid, aggressive, or stuck inside your home, emergency removal may be required, which often costs more.
After removing the skunks, professionals focus on prevention. They’ll recommend sealing entry points under porches and sheds, installing barriers to stop burrowing and using deterrents like motion-activated lights or scent repellents. If skunks have sprayed near your home, they can also apply deodorizers to eliminate lingering odors.
Hiring a professional ensures safe, legal, and effective skunk removal while reducing the risk of future infestations.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
