Skunks, Raccoons, Opossums

Skunk, Raccoon, and Opossum Removal

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Frequently Asked Questions About Skunks

What do skunks look like? The striped skunk, part of the weasel family, is a stoutly-built, short-limbed animal with a small, conical head and a long heavily furred tail. Adult males are 10% larger than females, with both sexes measuring between 20-30 inch in total body length and usually weighing 4.0-9.9 lbs, though some may weigh 12 lbs. The color patterns of the fur vary greatly, but generally consist of a black base with a white stripe extending from the head which divides along the shoulders, continuing along the flanks to the rump and tail. Some specimens have a white patch on the chest, while others bear white stripes on the outer surface of the front limbs.


Critterex can remedy your skunk situation the humane way. Call (845) 219-5141 today to get started.

  • Are they dangerous?

    Yes, these guys are a rabies vector species so rather leave alone especially if they seem friendly, aggressive or drowsy. They are nocturnal, so any active daytime skunk could be rabies virus infected. Like all skunks, the striped skunk possesses two highly developed scent glands, one on each side of the anus, containing about 15 milliliters of musk each. This oily, yellow-colored musk can be sprayed at several feet and several discharges either in mist form or direct jet. The effects of a direct "shot" from these guys will cause instant nausea and don't even consider date night later. Some people will respond with asthmatic symptoms when exposed to skunk odor. If sprayed in the eyes: rinse with lukewarm water for 15 minutes. If spray is inhaled: get to fresh air immediately as dizziness, shortness of breath and headache are sure to follow, then seek medical advice. If sprayed on the skin: remove all contaminated clothing (throw in furnace ha ha) and flush skin with water for 10 minutes to prevent chemical burns, then also seek medical advice.

  • Signs:

    The striped skunk inhabits a wide variety of habitats, particularly mixed woodlands, brushy corners and open fields interspersed with wooded ravines and rocky outcrops. At your house or property, you can find them with your nostrils first as their odor can be detected up to a mile away. Your pets could get sprayed, especially dogs are most prone when their curiosity beckons them to say hi to the skunk. A dead skunk will ooze out of its musk gland and decomposition will intensify the musk smell.


    While primarily an insectivore, the striped skunk is adaptable enough to incorporate other animals and even vegetable matter into its diet. The most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, and caterpillars. In the winter and spring months, the striped skunk will supplement its diet with vertebrates such as white-footed mice, voles, eggs and the chicks of ground nesting birds. When in season, the skunk will also consume vegetable matter, such as apples, blueberries, black cherries, ground cherries, corn and nightshade.

  • Why are they in my home?

    Skunks very frequently inhabit human dwellings. They'll live under sheds, porches, decks, etc. and in old abandoned woodchuck homes. Keep lids on garbage cans and remove unwanted debris from gardens. They may discharge, or scent mark these areas creating an unpleasant odor. Many people don't like skunks on the property, because of fear of stumbling across one and getting sprayed. Skunks often fall down basement window wells as well. In addition, they do a lot of digging, and damage a lawn.

  • How do I get rid of them?

    If skunks have become a problem on your property or inside of your home, contact us. The best method is to direct capture and remove the skunks from the area. Skunk trapping can be tricky, due to the animal's ability to spray. Some trappers use solid-walled traps for this reason. We use humane and chemical-free methods, as with all our animal removal. Once the skunk is removed allow us to restore your porch, siding, deck etc back to original and exclude any further skunks, racoon and ground hogs etc. from entering ever again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Raccoons

What do raccoons look like? Raccoons are a nocturnal medium sized mammal but may be active in the day between spring and summer when the females are nursing and raising their young. Adults grow to between 2 and 3 feet in length and they weigh between 10 and 30 pounds. Raccoons have many easily recognizable features including the black "mask" of fur that covers their eyes, their fluffy black and gray ringed tail, and their hunched appearance that is caused by their hind legs being longer than their front legs. The raccoon's body is covered in a salt and peppered colored fur.

  • Are they dangerous?

    Raccoons are dangerous to people and pets and are destructive to property. When living inside of a home or other building, raccoons have the potential to cause extensive structural damages, along with contaminating it with their urine and feces. Raccoons can become very aggressive when they are cornered. They may lash-out and bite or scratch you, your kids, or pets. It is important to note that raccoons are a rabies vector species, so do not pick them up or help them if they seem dazed, friendly or aggressive as those are indicatory signs of the disease. Besides the potential of Rabies, Raccoon Roundworm is hosted in their feces. This disease could cause blindness, brain damage and even death. Besides removing Raccoons, it is therefore important to "clean up" their dens and fecal remains. Raccoons can kill poultry, steal eggs, eat crops, up earth earthworms etc.

  • Signs:

    The most common sign of raccoons living on your property is to see them often on your property. If they are living nearby you may also start to notice overturned trashcans, garden areas being damaged, and structural damages to the outside of your home, garage, or outbuildings. If they have taken up residence inside of your home, you will probably hear scratching, tapping, or running noises in the attic or behind your home's walls, especially in the evening when they are most active.

  • Why are they in my home?

    Raccoons often enter inside of homes to create a safe place to live and burrow inside of after first being attracted to food sources that are found on your property. Raccoons are attracted to properties that offer easy access to food and water sources: pet food, unsecure garbage cans, gardens, and compost piles. Once on your property they may decide to take advantage of any openings found inside of your home to gain access to warm safe shelter. The chimney makes a great substitute to a hollow tree trunk and a female could den there to raise their young. Shingles and facia boards may be torn off to gain access to an attic or wall space, all they need is 4 inches to get in.

  • How do I get rid of them?

    If raccoons have become a problem on your property or inside of your home, contact us. We can get rid of raccoons from your property through trapping and exclusion services. We have the experience and training needed to safely service your raccoon infestation and stop future infestations. Contact us today to learn more about our humane and chemical-free Nuisance Wildlife Control services that are available throughout The Hudson Valley of New York.

  • Raccoon Prevention Tips Include:

    Make sure that gutters are working properly to direct water away from your home and to prevent it from pooling and creating water sources.


    • Install chimney caps on all chimneys.
    • Place wire mesh around decks, sheds, and similar structures to keep them from nesting underneath of them.
    • Trim back tree branches from the outside of your home, raccoons will use tree branches to travel across and gain easy access into your home.
    • Pick-up uneaten pet food each evening.
    • Make sure that vents leading into your home have tight fitting covers over them; repair any loose window screens or other large openings into your home.
    • Make sure that outdoor garbage cans have tight fitting lids on them and that they are stored a distance away from the outside of your home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Opossums

What do opossums look like? Adult opossums grow to between 15 and 20 inches in length not including their tail, (with tail about 40") and weigh between 4 and 14 pounds. They have a long pointed face and ears that lack any hair. Opossums have a thick undercoat of fur that is peppered with long guard hairs; they are whitish-gray in color. Opossums are the only marsupial found in North America, and therefore they carry their young in a pouch. They are also well-known for being able to use their long, hairless tail to hang upside down from trees. When frightened they look like they are snarling at you with their 50 teeth displaying prominent canine fangs, hiss, growl, screech and ooze a yellow-green stinky fluid from their anal glands. They could also "play dead" so don't go over and casually pick it up or try move it without essential safety precautions.

  • Signs:

    The most common sign of an opossum problem is seeing them often on your property digging around your garbage, in garden areas at compost piles, at pet food (especially cat food) and at bird feeders. If opossums have taken up residence in your home's attic or behind walls you will probably hear scratching, running, or tapping noises. They do not hibernate but will retreat to dens in colder weather, mainly nocturnal but also forage during the day.

  • Why are they in my home?

    Opossums often enter inside of homes and other buildings to create a safe place to live and burrow inside of after first being attracted to food sources that are found on your property. Opossums are drawn to properties that offer easy access to food and water sources; pet food, unsecured garbage cans, gardens, and compost piles can all attract draw opossums. Once on your property they may decide to take advantage of any openings found inside of your home, garage, or other outbuildings to access warm, safe shelter and to make their burrow inside of.

  • What damage can they cause?

    Opossums consume produce from gardens, fruit trees, garbage and compost piles. They prey on chickens, ducks, pigeons, and eggs left by quail and other wild birds. They will re-use old holes and gaps made by racoon in your home and drop off some nasty tick and fleas while keeping you awake a few hours at night.

  • Are they dangerous?

    Opossums should be avoided, don't handle these teeth bearing marsupials or they could give a nasty bite or excrete that foul green-yellow ooze on you. The biggest danger is the fleas and ticks they bring into your living space. They host the microorganism Equine Protozoan Myeloencephalitis (EPM), a horse killing disease, in their feces and may contaminate horse drinking water and stables.

  • How do I get rid of them?

    If opossums have become a problem on your property or inside of your home, contact CrittereX LLC, we can get rid of opossums from your property through our nuisance wildlife control services. You could also first try removing pet food, bird feeders and cover trash cans but we have the training needed to safely service your opossum infestation and stop future infestations with exclusion methods. Contact us today to learn more about our humane and chemical-free nuisance wildlife control services that are available throughout the Hudson Valley of New York.

  • Opossum prevention tips:

    Make sure that gutters are working properly to direct water away from your home and to prevent it from pooling and creating water sources.


    • Opossums are excellent climbers. To help prevent them from gaining access into your home, trim back tree branches away from the exterior of your home.
    • Make sure that all chimneys have secure caps on them.
    • Repair any holes or gaps found in the roofline.
    • Make sure that vents leading into your home have tight fitting covers over them, and repair any loose window screens or other large openings into your home.
    • Make sure that outdoor garbage cans have tight fitting lids on them and that they are stored a distance away from the outside of your home.
    • Pick-up uneaten pet food each evening.
    • Opossums like to live and hide in woodpiles. Make sure that woodpiles found on your property are kept a distance away from the outside of your home.

Personalized quality service at a reasonable competitive price. All issues resolved and exclusions made with one visit. Will call again if needed.

- David W., Yelp

Learn More About

Critterex LLC

Serving Hudson Valley, NY and the surrounding counties. Critterex specializes in wildlife removal, exclusion, home inspection, home remediation, and leaf gutter guard installation. 24-Hour turnaround time. 1-Year warranty. Emergency services available. Call us today.

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