As soon as the weather warms even a little bit, we can expect skunks to come out of hibernation.

Skunks can cause more than a smelly problem.  They can damage your lawn and landscaping, tear up your trash, and, like all animals, there is the risk they are carrying disease.

Skunks are primarily insect eaters.  They will dig and tear 3" or larger cone-shaped holes in your turf to get to grubs.  They also like grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles.

If you have skunks, there are three things you should know:

1. Skunks hate light!  If you think you have skunks, install floodlights.  That should keep them away.

2. If you or your pets are sprayed, our favorite odor remover is:

• 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide 
• 1/4 cup of baking soda
• 5-7 drops of liquid dish washing detergent

This option is safe for people, pets, and your clothing. 

Note that:

• This solution does not maintain its potency for very long, so make it as you need it.  Do not make and store it.
• The longer the skunk oil is on you, your clothing, or your pets, the more difficult it will be to remove.  Act fast.
• Sorry to report that tomato juice is an old wives' tale.  It does not work.

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3. Never try to pick up or remove a skunk yourself.  The risk of bite, scratch, or spray is not worth it.  Hire a professional!

Daversa Pest Control is a professional animal removal service.  We humanely remove bothersome animals, including raccoon, skunks, foxes, ground hogs, opossums, bats, and other unwanted "critters" from in and around your home or office.  We are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to help you feel safe.  (c) 2014

The 2013 numbers are in!

Here are a few facts about rabies in PA last year:

• There were 356 reported rabid animal cases last year.  This is a three-year low down from 451 cases in 2011 and 397 cases in 2012.


• The most common rabid animal remains the raccoon.  PA reported 165 rabid raccoon last year.  Bats came in second place with 75 reports.

Download the full report from the PA Department of Health here.

Remember, if you think you have a rabid or other nuisance animal on your property, DO NOT TRY TO CATCH IT.  Call Daversa Pest Control to professional to safely and humanely evict it.

Daversa Pest Control is a professional animal removal service.  We humanely remove bothersome animals, including raccoon, skunks, foxes, ground hogs, opossums, bats, and other unwanted "critters" from in and around your home or office.  We are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to help you feel safe.  (c) 2014