Central Texas Skunks

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If you’ve ever caught a whiff of skunk in the Hill Country air, you’re not alone. Skunks are common throughout Austin and Central Texas, often burrowing under homes, sheds, and decks—or setting up shop right beneath your AC unit. At The Wildlife Management Company, we provide safe, effective, and humane skunk removal to protect your property, your pets, and your peace of mind.

Central Texas is home to four native skunk species, each with their own quirks:

• Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis): The most recognizable, with bold white stripes and a potent spray. Common in both rural and urban areas.
• Eastern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius): Smaller and more agile, with broken white striping. Known for doing handstands before they spray!
• Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis): Nearly identical to the eastern species, and overlapping in our region.
• American Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus): Heavier-bodied with a broad white stripe from nose to tail. Incredible diggers with a snout built like a miniature shovel.

All of these skunks are nocturnal, solitary, and prone to denning under structures—especially during breeding season.

• Lifespan: 2–4 years in the wild
• Breeding Season: February–March
• Litters: 4–7 kits born in late spring
• Diet: Omnivorous—eating grubs, beetles, rodents, fruit, bird eggs, garbage, and pet food
• Den Sites: Crawlspaces, foundation voids, sheds, decks, brush piles, and even HVAC pads

Skunks don’t mean to cause trouble, but their habits can be incredibly disruptive:

• Persistent odor—especially if they spray under a home or near air intakes
• Digging and denning—which can damage foundations, piping, and insulation
• Lawn damage—from rooting for insects and grubs
• Spraying pets—resulting in vet bills and smelly couches
• Health hazards, including rabies, distemper, intestinal parasites, and secondary pest infestations

• Skunks can spray up to 15 feet with sniper-like precision.
• Spotted skunks often do a handstand as a warning before they let loose.
• Their spray contains sulfuric compounds so potent it can be detected over a mile away.
• Despite the smell, skunks play an important ecological role by eating pests like beetles, grubs, and rodents.
• A group of skunks is called a surfeit—but if there’s one under your house, one is more than enough.

We offer complete skunk control solutions tailored to Central Texas conditions. Our team of wildlife biologists uses ethical, proven methods to resolve skunk problems at the source:

• Live, humane trapping with skunk-safe relocation
• Den site exclusion to prevent re-entry
• Dig-proof screening and barrier installation
• Odor mitigation and spray decontamination
• Damage repair to restore your crawlspace or foundation

We serve the entire region, including Austin, Marble Falls, Llano, Horseshoe Bay, Burnet, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs, Horseshoe Bay, Johnson City, Leander, Georgetown, Westlake, and nearby towns.

Whether you’re hearing scratching under the floorboards or dealing with a yard full of holes, we’re here to help. Don’t wait for a midnight spray to make it urgent.

Call The Wildlife Management Company today at 512-364-1523 or visit www.thewildlifemanagementcompany.com to schedule your skunk inspection or removal service.