Bartlett, TN – July 17, 2026 — Apex Wildlife Control is alerting Memphis-area homeowners that skunk denning season is underway, with female skunks actively nesting under decks, porches, and sheds across Shelby County to raise summer litters.
Memphis Decks and Porches Are Prime Skunk Denning Sites
Skunk denning season typically runs from late spring through summer, when mother skunks seek out sheltered, undisturbed spaces to give birth and raise their young. Decks, porches, and storage sheds offer exactly the kind of dark, enclosed conditions skunks look for, making them common denning sites throughout Memphis-area neighborhoods.
Homeowners can watch for several signs of active denning, including:
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A musky odor concentrated near a deck or porch perimeter
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Freshly dug soil or small burrow openings along the structure's edge
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Increased evening and nighttime activity near a suspected den entrance
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Shallow digging patches in nearby lawn areas from nighttime foraging
Improper Removal Timing Can Trigger Spray Events or Orphaned Kits
Sealing an entry point before a litter has been confirmed removed doesn't solve the problem — it creates a worse one. When homeowners attempt to close off a den without confirming it's empty, they risk trapping kits inside, separating a mother from her litter, or provoking a defensive spray response from an animal that feels cornered.
"We get calls every summer from homeowners who sealed an opening themselves and ended up with a bigger problem days later," said a spokesperson for Apex Wildlife Control. "Skunks won't leave voluntarily once kits are involved, so timing the exclusion correctly is what keeps everyone safe, including the animals."
Apex Wildlife Control has provided humane skunk removal services in Memphis for more than 20 years, pairing inspection-first protocols with warranty-backed exclusion work to prevent repeat denning through the same entry point.
Homeowners Urged to Confirm Before Sealing Any Entry Point
The safest removal window is before a den is disturbed, not after. Once a mother skunk feels threatened, the risk of spraying or abandonment increases significantly, often turning a simple exclusion into a longer, costlier process.
Memphis-area homeowners who notice denning signs near a deck, porch, or shed are encouraged to request a professional inspection before attempting to seal any opening or remove the animals themselves.
About Apex Wildlife Control
Apex Wildlife Control is a family-owned, humane wildlife removal company based in Bartlett, TN, serving residential and commercial properties across the greater Memphis area since 2005. Services include skunk removal, raccoon removal, squirrel removal, rat control, attic cleanup, and full home exclusion with warranty coverage. Homeowners with suspected denning activity are encouraged to contact Apex Wildlife Control for an inspection.
Media Contact
Public Relations
Apex Wildlife Control
Email: office@apexwildlifecontrol.com
Phone: (901) 598-8555
Website: apexwildlifecontrol.com
