Carpenter ants tunnel through wood and weaken structures. Camo Pest Control locates the nest, treats the colony, and protects New Braunfels homes. No contracts.
Carpenter Ants
- Post author By Jodi Zellner
- Post date
- Categories In Ants, Pests, Services
Carpenter ants tunnel through wood and weaken structures. Camo Pest Control locates the nest, treats the colony, and protects New Braunfels homes. No contracts.
Mouse Control in New Braunfels, TX Hearing something in the walls? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) for a mouse inspection. Mice are the most common rodent we deal with in New Braunfels homes, and they are also the easiest to underestimate. One mouse in the pantry feels like a small problem. It rarely is. By the time most homeowners notice droppings or hear scratching, there is already a population living in the wall voids, the attic, or under the kitchen cabinets. At Camo Pest Control, we remove mice and then seal the gaps they used to get in. Trapping alone solves this week. Sealing solves it for good. Mice Mice may be small, but they can cause serious problems once they enter your home or business. From contaminating food and spreading bacteria to chewing through insulation and electrical wiring, mice create health risks and costly damage if not addressed quickly. At Camo Pest Control, we provide professional mice control and removal services designed to eliminate active infestations and prevent mice from returning. If you’re noticing droppings, scratching sounds in walls or ceilings, or signs of gnawing, it’s important to act fast. Mice reproduce rapidly, and even a small issue can turn into a widespread infestation. Our experienced technicians identify where mice are nesting, how they’re entering your property, and what conditions may be attracting them. Is It Mice or Rats? Knowing which one you have changes the treatment. Here is how to tell them apart quickly. Mice Rats Droppings Size of a grain of rice, pointed ends Size of a raisin, blunt ends Sound Light, fast scratching, often high in the walls Heavier scrambling and thumping, usually in the attic Entry gap As small as a dime Roughly the size of a quarter or larger Where they nest Wall voids, cabinets, insulation, stored boxes Attics, crawl spaces, under slabs and sheds Behavior Curious, will investigate new objects Cautious, avoid anything unfamiliar for days That last difference matters more than people expect. Mice will walk into a trap the day you set it. Rats will not, which is why the same approach does not work for both. If what you are describing sounds more like rats, we cover rat and roof rat control separately. How Mice Get Into Central Texas Homes A house mouse can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime. If you can fit a pencil into an opening, a mouse can get through it. On homes around New Braunfels, Seguin, San Marcos, Canyon Lake, and the surrounding Hill Country, these are the openings we find most often: Weep holes in brick. Standard on nearly every home in the area, and a direct route into the wall cavity unless they are screened. Garage door corners. The bottom corners of a garage door almost never seal flush. This is one of the most common entry points we find, and the garage is usually where an infestation starts. Utility and plumbing penetrations. Anywhere a pipe, gas line, or electrical conduit enters the home, there is a gap around it. Builders foam these, and rodents chew straight through foam. AC line entries. The refrigerant line set entering the exterior wall is frequently left with an open gap behind the escutcheon plate. Gaps under exterior doors. Worn or missing door sweeps leave a quarter inch of clearance, which is more than enough. Attic and soffit vents. Damaged or unscreened vents give access straight into the attic insulation. New construction is not exempt from this. Homes in Schertz, Cibolo, and the newer New Braunfels developments get mice for a different reason: grading and building disturb the fields and brush where rodents already lived, and those rodents move into the nearest shelter. A brand new home with unsealed penetrations is an easy target. Signs You Have Mice Most people call us after noticing one of these: Droppings. Small, dark, rice-shaped pellets, usually along walls, in the backs of cabinets, in pantries, under sinks, or in the garage. Fresh droppings are dark and soft. Older ones are gray and crumble. Scratching or scurrying at night. Mice are most active after dark. The sound is light and quick, often inside walls or above ceilings. Gnaw marks. Small, clean chew marks on food packaging, cardboard boxes, baseboards, or the corners of stored items. Shredded nesting material. Insulation, paper, fabric, or cardboard pulled apart and gathered in an enclosed space. A musky odor. Persistent mouse activity in a confined area like a pantry or closet leaves a distinct smell. Pet behavior. Dogs and cats fixating on a wall, cabinet, or appliance they normally ignore is often the earliest sign. Areas We Serve Looking for dependable pest control near you? Camo Pest Control serves homes and businesses across New Braunfels and nearby cities with fast response times and customized treatment plans. View the areas we currently serve below, and contact us if you don’t see your location listed. New Braunfels Canyon Lake Garden Ridge Gruene Buda Bulverde Cibolo Kyle La Vernia Spring Branch McQueeney San Antonio San Marcos Schertz Seguin Frequently Asked Questions How do I know if I have mice or rats? The fastest tell is the droppings. Mouse droppings are about the size of a grain of rice with pointed ends. Rat droppings are closer to the size of a raisin with blunt ends. Mice also make lighter, faster scratching sounds, usually inside walls, while rats make heavier noises in the attic. Our technicians confirm the species during the inspection. How many mice is considered an infestation? There is no fixed number, but seeing a single mouse during daylight usually indicates an established population, because mice are nocturnal and a daytime sighting often means the nesting area is crowded. Ongoing droppings in more than one room is another strong indicator. Can mice get into a brand new house? Yes, and it happens regularly in newer neighborhoods around Schertz, Cibolo, and New Braunfels. Construction displaces rodents from the surrounding fields and brush, and new homes frequently have
Rat Control in New Braunfels, TX Heavy scratching in the attic? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) for a rat inspection. Rats are a different problem than mice, and they need a different approach. They are larger, more destructive, considerably more cautious, and in Central Texas they usually come in through the roof rather than the ground floor. At Camo Pest Control, we identify which species you are dealing with, remove the active population, and seal the entry points so the next one cannot follow. Trapping without sealing is a temporary fix on a problem that does not stay fixed. Rats Rats are more than just a nuisance—they can cause serious damage to your property and create health risks for your family or customers. Rats are known for chewing through insulation, wood, and electrical wiring, increasing the risk of fires and costly repairs. At Camo Pest Control, we provide professional rat control and removal services designed to eliminate active rat infestations and prevent future problems. If you’ve noticed scratching sounds in the attic or walls, droppings, or signs of gnawing, it’s important to act quickly. Rats reproduce fast, and infestations can grow out of control if left untreated. Our experienced technicians respond promptly, identify where rats are nesting and entering your property, and implement effective control strategies tailored to your situation. Roof Rats vs Norway Rats in Central Texas Most rat problems around New Braunfels involve roof rats. Knowing which species is in your home changes where we look and how we treat. Roof Rat Norway Rat Also called Black rat, palm rat Brown rat, sewer rat Size Slimmer, 6 to 8 inch body, tail longer than body Heavier, 7 to 10 inch body, tail shorter than body Where they nest High. Attics, soffits, palm trees, fence lines, utility lines Low. Burrows, under slabs, sheds, driveways, woodpiles How they enter Roof line, soffit gaps, attic vents, overhanging tree limbs Foundation gaps, crawl space vents, broken sewer lines Droppings Roughly half an inch, pointed ends Roughly three quarters of an inch, blunt ends Common in Central Texas Yes, the dominant species Less common, usually near drainage or older infrastructure Roof rats are excellent climbers. A tree limb touching the roof, a fence running to the eave, or a utility line into the house is a highway. That is why we start rat inspections at the roof line rather than the foundation. If the sounds you are hearing are lighter and higher in the walls rather than heavy overhead, you may be dealing with mice instead. We cover mouse control separately here. How Rats Get Into Central Texas Homes A rat can get through a gap roughly the size of a quarter, and can widen a smaller one by chewing. On homes around New Braunfels, Seguin, Buda, and Schertz, these are the openings we find most often: Roof line and fascia gaps. Where the roof decking meets the fascia board there is often a gap, especially on older homes or after storm damage. Soffit vents and attic vents. Damaged, unscreened, or loose vents give direct attic access. Overhanging tree limbs. Any branch within a few feet of the roof is a bridge. This is the most common contributing factor we find on roof rat jobs. Utility line entries. Where power, cable, or AC lines enter the structure, the gap around the penetration is rarely sealed properly. Chimney and flue openings. Uncapped or damaged chimney caps. Foundation and crawl space gaps. More typical of Norway rats, including broken or unscreened crawl space vents. Garage door corners. The bottom corners rarely seal flush, and the garage is a common staging area before rats move into the main structure. Signs You Have Rats Heavy noises overhead at night. Rats are noticeably louder than mice. Homeowners describe scrambling, running, and thumping in the attic or ceiling, usually shortly after dark. Droppings. Dark, capsule shaped, roughly half an inch long. Commonly found in the attic, along beams, in the garage, or near stored food. Greasy rub marks. Rats follow the same routes repeatedly and their fur leaves dark smudges along beams, baseboards, pipes, and entry holes. This is one of the more reliable signs a technician looks for. Gnawed wiring or wood. Chew damage on electrical wiring, PVC, wood framing, or stored items. Burrows or dug holes. Norway rats leave two to four inch openings near foundations, sheds, driveways, or under concrete. Damaged insulation. Tunneling and nesting in attic insulation, often visible as flattened trails or displaced material. Areas We Serve Looking for dependable pest control near you? Camo Pest Control serves homes and businesses across New Braunfels and nearby cities with fast response times and customized treatment plans. View the areas we currently serve below, and contact us if you don’t see your location listed. New Braunfels Canyon Lake Garden Ridge Gruene Buda Bulverde Cibolo Kyle La Vernia Spring Branch McQueeney San Antonio San Marco Schertz Seguin Frequently Asked Questions How do I know if I have roof rats or Norway rats? Location is the fastest indicator. Roof rats nest high, so noises in the attic and ceiling and droppings along beams point to roof rats. Norway rats nest low, so burrows near the foundation, shed, or driveway point to them. Roof rats are the more common species in Central Texas. Our technicians confirm the species during inspection. How do rats get into the attic? Most commonly through roof line gaps, damaged or unscreened soffit and attic vents, and gaps around utility line penetrations. Overhanging tree limbs are the most frequent contributing factor, because roof rats climb well and a branch near the roof gives them direct access. Will rats leave on their own? No. Once rats have established shelter, food, and water in a structure, they stay and continue breeding. Attic activity in particular tends to increase rather than resolve, because the space is undisturbed and insulated. How long does rat removal take? Rat jobs generally take longer than mouse jobs because rats avoid new objects
Pre-Construction Termite Treatment in New Braunfels, TX Building a new home? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) for a free pre-construction termite treatment estimate. Termites remain active year-round in Central Texas, making proactive protection essential for new construction. Camo Pest Control provides pre-construction and post-construction termite treatment to protect your investment from costly damage by wood-destroying insects. Pre-Construction Termite Treatment Pre-construction termite treatment, often called a termite pre-treat, protects a new home by treating the soil before the slab is poured. It creates a protective zone under and around the foundation, which is the hardest area to treat once a home is built. Many builders and lenders ask for proof of termite pre-treatment for new homes, so it is best to schedule it early in the building process. Pre-Construction vs Post-Construction Treatment Pre-construction Post-construction When Before the slab is poured After the home is built How Soil under and around the planned foundation is treated Treatment around the existing foundation, often with bait stations and monitoring Best for New homes and additions Existing homes, or new homes that were not pre-treated Why Termite Protection Matters for New Homes Subterranean termites live in the soil and travel into homes through cracks in the slab, expansion joints, and plumbing penetrations. A new home is just as vulnerable as an older one, and repairs are rarely covered by homeowner’s insurance. Treating before construction is the most effective time to protect the foundation. Ongoing Protection After construction, bait stations, monitoring, and regular termite inspections help keep the home protected. We also provide free preventive maintenance advice and can help if repairs or sealing are needed. How Camo Pest Control Handles Pre-Construction Termite Treatment Free estimate. We review the project and provide expert recommendations. Scheduling with your builder. Treatment is timed before the slab is poured. Soil treatment. We treat the soil under and around the planned foundation. Long-term protection. We recommend monitoring and inspections after move-in. Learn more about identifying termites and our full termite treatment services. Building soon? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) for a free estimate. Areas We Serve Looking for dependable pest control near you? Camo Pest Control serves homes and businesses across New Braunfels and nearby cities with fast response times and customized treatment plans. View the areas we currently serve below, and contact us if you don’t see your location listed. New Braunfels Canyon Lake Garden Ridge Gruene Buda Bulverde Cibolo Kyle La Vernia Spring Branch McQueeney San Antonio San Marcos Schertz Seguin Pre-Construction Termite FAQs What is pre-construction termite treatment? It is a termite treatment applied to the soil before a home’s slab is poured, creating protection under and around the foundation. When should pre-construction termite treatment be done? After the site is prepared and before the slab is poured. Contact us early so treatment can be scheduled with your builder. Is termite pre-treatment required for new homes? Many builders and lenders ask for proof of termite pre-treatment for new construction. Check with your builder and lender about their requirements. Can you treat a home after it is built? Yes. Post-construction treatment protects existing homes and new homes that were not pre-treated, often using bait stations and monitoring. Do you offer free estimates? Yes. Contact Camo Pest Control for a free estimate and expert recommendations for your new construction project.
Raccoon Removal in New Braunfels, TX Hearing heavy thumping in the attic at night? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) for raccoon removal. Raccoons may look harmless, but when they get into an attic, crawl space, or chimney they tear insulation, chew wiring, damage ductwork, and leave behind waste that carries disease. Camo Pest Control provides humane raccoon trapping and removal in New Braunfels, then seals the entry points so raccoons cannot get back in. No contracts and no long term commitments. Raccoons Raccoons are strong, intelligent animals with sharp claws and exceptional problem-solving skills. Once inside a home, they can: Tear into roofs, soffits, and siding Destroy insulation and ductwork Chew electrical wiring, increasing fire risk Leave feces and urine that carry harmful diseases Spread parasites like fleas, ticks, and roundworms to pets Signs of Raccoons The clearest sign of a raccoon is heavy walking or thumping in the attic at night. Raccoons are nocturnal and excellent climbers, so most activity goes unnoticed until damage is done. Other signs include: Torn shingles, soffits, or vent covers along the roofline Tipped-over trash cans and scattered garbage Droppings in one spot on the roof, in the attic, or near the house Flattened or soiled insulation in the attic Patches of lawn rolled back where raccoons dug for grubworms Chittering or growling sounds, often a mother with young in spring Not sure it is a raccoon? Our wildlife removal and exclusion page compares the signs of raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and other animals. Our Raccoon Removal Process Inspection and identification. We locate where raccoons are entering, nesting, and causing damage. Humane trapping and removal. Traps are placed strategically to capture raccoons safely and without harm. We confirm all animals are out, including young, before sealing anything. Exclusion and entry-point sealing. We seal and reinforce every entry point to keep raccoons from returning. Damage assessment and clean-up recommendations. We help you understand what repairs or sanitation the attic or crawl space needs. Prevention. We recommend ways to reduce wildlife activity around your home, such as securing trash and pet food. Raccoon Health Risks Raccoon droppings can contain raccoon roundworm eggs, which are dangerous to people and pets if disturbed or inhaled. Raccoons can also carry rabies and will bite or scratch when cornered. Do not handle raccoons or clean up their droppings without professional help. Raccoon removal is part of our full wildlife removal and exclusion services. Raccoon in the attic? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) to schedule raccoon removal. Areas We Serve Looking for dependable pest control near you? Camo Pest Control serves homes and businesses across New Braunfels and nearby cities with fast response times and customized treatment plans. View the areas we currently serve below, and contact us if you don’t see your location listed. New Braunfels Canyon Lake Garden Ridge Gruene Buda Bulverde Cibolo Kyle La Vernia Spring Branch McQueeney San Antonio San Marcos Schertz Seguin Raccoon Removal FAQs How do I know if I have a raccoon in my attic? Raccoons make heavy walking and thumping sounds at night. Squirrels are lighter and most active at dawn and dusk, and rats or mice make quick, light scratching sounds. Torn soffits or vents and droppings in one spot also point to raccoons. Are raccoons dangerous? Raccoons can bite or scratch when cornered, can carry rabies, and their droppings can contain roundworm eggs that are harmful to people and pets. Leave removal and clean-up to a professional. Why should I not remove a raccoon myself? Raccoons are strong and can become aggressive when trapped. In spring, a mother often has young in the attic, and removing or sealing out only the mother leaves the young trapped inside. What happens if there are baby raccoons? We check for young before any sealing is done and make sure the whole family is removed. Sealing an attic with young still inside causes more damage and odor problems. How do you keep raccoons from coming back? After removal, we seal and reinforce every entry point, including vents, soffits, and roof gaps. Securing trash cans and bringing pet food indoors also removes what draws raccoons in. Do I need a contract for raccoon removal? No. Camo Pest Control does not require contracts or long term commitments.
Honey Bees in Your Home or Yard Bees swarming or living in a wall? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) for safe bee removal and relocation. Honey bees are irreplaceable pollinators, but a colony in your wall, roof, or yard can become dangerous for your family. Camo Pest Control works closely with professional bee removal specialists who safely relocate the colony instead of destroying it. Honey Bees Honey bees build wax comb nests where they raise their young and store honey. Sometimes they build these nests inside homes, in walls, soffits, attics, and chimneys, or in trees, sheds, and meter boxes in the yard. Honey bees are fuzzy and golden brown with darker bands. They are generally calm away from the hive but will defend it, and an established colony can contain tens of thousands of bees. Bee Swarm vs Established Colony Swarm Established colony What it looks like A cluster of bees hanging on a branch, fence, or eave Bees flying in and out of a gap in a wall, roof, or tree Comb No comb yet Wax comb with brood and honey inside How long it stays Often moves on within a few days Stays and grows until removed What to do Keep away and call for advice Call for removal before comb and honey damage the structure Why Bees in a Wall Need Professional Removal Killing a colony inside a wall leaves comb and honey behind, which can melt, stain, attract other pests, and draw new swarms. Removing the bees and comb together, and relocating the colony, protects both the bees and your home. Honey Bees vs Wasps Honey bees are fuzzy and rounder, while wasps and yellow jackets are smooth and slender. Wasps are treated differently. See wasp removal and yellow jacket removal. How Bee Removal Works Assessment. We confirm the insects are honey bees and find where the colony is located. Removal and relocation. Professional bee removal specialists safely remove and relocate the colony. Prevention. We recommend sealing the entry so new swarms are not attracted to the same spot. Many of our treatments are backed by a service warranty, but flying insects are not warrantied, since they can travel in from neighboring properties. Learn more about our bee removal and relocation service. Bees where they should not be? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) for safe bee removal. Areas We Serve Looking for dependable pest control near you? Camo Pest Control serves homes and businesses across New Braunfels and nearby cities with fast response times and customized treatment plans. View the areas we currently serve below, and contact us if you don’t see your location listed. New Braunfels Canyon Lake Garden Ridge Gruene Buda Bulverde Cibolo Kyle La Vernia Spring Branch McQueeney San Antonio San Marcos Schertz Seguin Honey Bee FAQs Do you kill honey bees? We prefer to relocate honey bees. Camo Pest Control works closely with professional bee removal specialists who safely relocate the colony. What should I do about a bee swarm? Keep people and pets away and do not spray it. Swarms often move on within a few days, but call us if the swarm stays or starts building comb. Why are bees in my wall? Gaps in siding, soffits, and roofs give bees a protected space to build comb. Once a colony settles in, it will stay and grow until it is removed. Can I just spray the bees in my wall? Spraying leaves comb and honey inside the wall, which can melt, stain, attract pests, and draw new swarms. The colony and comb should be removed together. What are Africanized bees? Africanized bees look like regular honey bees but are more defensive and can pursue people for a long distance. Keep away from any colony that seems unusually aggressive and call a professional. Is bee removal warrantied? Many of our treatments are backed by a service warranty, but flying insects are not warrantied, since they can travel in from neighboring properties.
Armadillo Removal in New Braunfels, TX Fresh holes in the lawn every morning? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) for armadillo trapping and removal. Armadillos are one of the most common wildlife calls we get in New Braunfels and the surrounding Hill Country. One armadillo can tear up a lawn, flower beds, and landscaping in a single night, and the burrows they dig along slabs, walkways, and driveways can undermine the soil underneath. Camo Pest Control humanely traps and relocates armadillos, closes the burrows, and shows you how to make your yard less attractive so the next one does not move in. No contracts and no long term commitments. Armadillos The nine-banded armadillo is the only armadillo species found in the United States, and Central Texas is the heart of its range. Armadillos feed mostly at night, digging for grubs, earthworms, beetle larvae, scorpions, and other insects. Well watered lawns with soft, moist soil bring that food close to the surface, which is why the nicest yard on the street is usually the one that gets dug up. Beyond the damage to turf and beds, armadillos dig burrows up to 8 inches wide next to foundations, porches, sheds, AC pads, and driveways. Over time those burrows can wash out soil and lead to cracking and settling. Signs You Have an Armadillo Armadillo damage shows up overnight as small, cone-shaped holes 1 to 3 inches wide scattered across the lawn and beds. Other signs include: Uprooted plants and mulch pushed out of flower beds Burrow entrances 7 to 8 inches wide along foundations, slabs, sheds, decks, or under driveways Loose soil or collapsed spots near walkways and patios Activity at dusk and through the night, especially after rain or watering How Camo Pest Control Removes Armadillos We trap armadillos along the paths they actually travel, remove them humanely, and then close off the burrows so the problem does not restart. Armadillos do not respond well to bait, so trap placement matters more than anything else. Inspection. We locate active burrows, feeding areas, and the fence lines and edges armadillos use to move through the property. Humane trapping. Live traps are set on active travel routes, often with guide boards that funnel the armadillo into the trap. Removal and relocation. Trapped armadillos are removed and relocated safely and legally. Burrow closure and prevention. Once activity stops, we close the burrows and recommend steps that keep new armadillos out, such as buried fencing and grub control. If other animals are getting under the house, deck, or shed too, see our wildlife exclusion services. Why Store Bought Repellents Rarely Work There is no repellent proven to keep armadillos away for good. Castor oil products and sprinkler tricks may move an armadillo a few feet, but as long as the food and the burrow are still there, it comes back. Mothballs used outdoors are a label violation and a hazard to pets and kids. Trapping the animal and taking away its reasons to stay is what works. Ready to get your yard back? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) to schedule armadillo removal. Areas We Serve Looking for dependable pest control near you? Camo Pest Control serves homes and businesses across New Braunfels and nearby cities with fast response times and customized treatment plans. View the areas we currently serve below, and contact us if you don’t see your location listed. New Braunfels Canyon Lake Garden Ridge Gruene Buda Bulverde Cibolo Kyle La Vernia Spring Branch McQueeney San Antonio San Marcos Schertz Seguin Armadillo Removal FAQs How do I know if an armadillo is digging up my yard? Armadillos leave small, cone-shaped holes 1 to 3 inches wide that appear overnight, often dozens at a time. Skunks leave similar holes, but armadillos also dig larger burrows 7 to 8 inches wide near foundations, sheds, and driveways. Are armadillos dangerous to people or pets? Armadillos are not aggressive, but they should not be handled. Nine-banded armadillos are known to carry the bacteria that causes Hansen’s disease (leprosy), so leave trapping and removal to a professional. Do repellents or mothballs keep armadillos away? No repellent has been shown to keep armadillos away long term, and using mothballs outdoors is a pesticide label violation. Trapping the armadillo and reducing the grubs and insects it feeds on is the reliable fix. How long does armadillo removal take? Many armadillos are caught within the first few nights once traps are placed on an active travel route. Timing depends on how many armadillos are using the property and how much activity there is. Will more armadillos come back after removal? They can, as long as food and easy burrowing spots remain. That is why we close burrows after removal and recommend prevention like buried fencing along problem areas and grub control in the lawn. Do I need a contract for armadillo removal? No. Camo Pest Control does not require contracts or long term commitments for armadillo removal or any other service. What areas do you serve for armadillo removal? We remove armadillos in New Braunfels, Seguin, Canyon Lake, San Marcos, Schertz, Cibolo, Garden Ridge, Buda, Bulverde, Spring Branch, and surrounding Comal, Guadalupe, and Hays County communities.
Skunk Removal in New Braunfels, TX Skunk smell under the house or holes in the lawn? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) for skunk removal. Skunks dig up lawns, flower beds, and gardens and burrow under porches, decks, and homes. Camo Pest Control humanely removes skunks in New Braunfels and seals the openings they use, so you can get rid of the smell and keep them from coming back. No contracts and no long term commitments. Skunks Skunks come out at night because of their light-sensitive eyes, so you may never see one even when it is living under your home. They dig for grubs in lawns and beds, raid gardens, and are especially fond of fresh corn. Skunks are most active in spring, when females look for sheltered places to raise their young. Beyond the odor, skunks can carry disease, including rabies, and may bite if cornered or trapped. Signs of Skunks The most obvious sign is a strong musky odor, especially at night or coming from under the house. Other signs include: Small cone-shaped holes 3 to 4 inches wide in the lawn and flower beds where skunks dug for grubs Burrows or openings under porches, decks, sheds, and slabs A pet that comes home sprayed Damaged gardens, especially corn and low-growing crops Holes in the lawn can also be armadillos. See our armadillo removal page to compare. Skunks Under the House, Deck, or Porch Skunks den in sheltered spaces close to food, and the gap under a porch, deck, shed, or pier-and-beam home is ideal. Once a skunk moves in, the odor can seep into the house, and a female may raise a litter there in spring. Closing the opening without removing the skunk first traps it inside. How Camo Pest Control Removes Skunks Inspection. We find where the skunk is denning, every opening it uses, and what is drawing it to the yard. Humane removal. Skunks are removed with live traps or one-way exclusion doors that let them leave on their own. We confirm the den is empty, including young, before sealing. Exclusion. We seal openings under porches, decks, sheds, and the foundation so skunks cannot dig back in. Prevention. We point out attractants like grubs in the lawn, pet food, and fallen fruit. Skunk removal is part of our full wildlife removal and exclusion services. If Your Dog Gets Sprayed Keep your dog outside and check its eyes first. If the spray hit the eyes, flush them with cool water and call your veterinarian. A common home remedy is a mix of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and a little dish soap, worked into the coat and rinsed well, keeping it away from the eyes. Tomato juice mostly masks the smell rather than removing it. Skunk under the house? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) to schedule skunk removal. Areas We Serve Looking for dependable pest control near you? Camo Pest Control serves homes and businesses across New Braunfels and nearby cities with fast response times and customized treatment plans. View the areas we currently serve below, and contact us if you don’t see your location listed. New Braunfels Canyon Lake Garden Ridge Gruene Buda Bulverde Cibolo Kyle La Vernia Spring Branch McQueeney San Antonio San Marcos Schertz Seguin Skunk Removal FAQs How do I know if I have a skunk? A strong musky odor at night, small cone-shaped holes 3 to 4 inches wide in the lawn, and burrows under porches, decks, or sheds are the most common signs. Skunks are nocturnal, so you may not see one. Why does it smell like skunk under my house? A skunk is likely denning under the house, deck, or porch. The odor can seep inside through floors and vents. The skunk needs to be removed and the opening sealed to stop it. Are skunks dangerous? Skunks can carry rabies and may bite if cornered or trapped, and their spray can irritate eyes. Do not try to trap or handle a skunk yourself. How do I get skunk smell off my dog? Rinse the eyes first if they were sprayed and call your vet. A mix of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and a little dish soap works better than tomato juice. Keep it away from the eyes and rinse thoroughly. Will a skunk leave on its own? Sometimes, but in spring a female with young will stay for weeks. Removing the skunk humanely and sealing the opening is the reliable fix. How do you keep skunks from coming back? We seal openings under porches, decks, sheds, and the foundation and recommend reducing grubs, pet food, and other food sources around the yard. Do I need a contract for skunk removal? No. Camo Pest Control does not require contracts or long term commitments.