I just got an Animal Damage Call on skunks going under a shed. A trapper had been there for a couple of weeks with a baited set placed out in the open, single door trap, bait and wait, no luck. The home owner was a forced participant. When bait is used with nocturnal animals, traps should be closed during the day, opened at night and conversely opened in the day and closed at night for diurnal, daytime animals. This is to help keep the number of unintended, non-targeted animals from being captured. When bait is used it means that the home owner or trapper must attend the traps twice each day to keep unwanted catches at a minimum. Since that is not practical for the trapper, its up to the home owner to open and close traps two times a day, morning and night, which can get tiresome over extended periods.
Yesterday I set a den with a double door trap. If the skunk is a resident, we will have him quickly. If not, it could take some time, but minus all the setting and unsetting and most of the worry about non-targets. At least you know right away if the skunk is living there. If not, you can also burry wire mesh and exclude the skunks for good.
The homeowner asked if they would have do anything. I said, “Yes, you will have to look at the door and let me know if it is closed.”
