If you mention the word "skunk" to someone, the word "stinky" can't be far behind. However, most people know little else about skunks other than the fact that they can spray when threatened.

There are two types of skunks in our area: the striped skunk and the spotted skunk. The striped skunk is more commonly seen than the spotted skunk and is about the size of the average house cat, with the spotted skunk being about half the size. One is black with white stripes and one is black with white spots; both have bushy tails and are strictly nocturnal. Skunks will choose dark, quiet places to sleep in the daytime and forage for food at night. Being scavengers, their diet includes fruit, berries, eggs, rodents, scorpions, black widow spiders, dog and cat food and grubs. They are beneficial to a neighborhood due to the number of destructive insects and rodents they consume. An area inhabited by skunks will not have and abundance of mice, rats, spiders or scorpions.

Skunk release

Skunks only cause problems when they are threatened by the family dog, eat the cat's food, dig holes in our lawns in search of grubs - or choose the wrong place to bed down. There are some easy solutions for dealing with some of the skunk problems and some that will require a little thought. Skunks will sleep under woodpiles, in sheds, under decks, and sometimes inside homes (coming in through unsecured pet doors). To discourage the skunk from taking up residence in your yard, eliminate his sleeping quarters to make them inaccessible. Clean up your brush and woodpiles. Use latticework or wire to prevent under access. Because skunks are diggers, you should bury 6 or 8 inches of wire in front of their entry point before closing it off. Make sure the skunks are not under the deck before sealing it up! Bring your pets in at night and secure your pet doors. Small pets left outdoors at night will fall prey to much worse then a little skunk spray. Do not leave pet food outdoors at night. This will encourage a multitude of nocturnal animals to frequent your property. Although generally nomadic, a lazy well fed skunk may stake out his territory and it may be your yard. If this is already the case, humane deterrents will generally cause the skunk to move to a better location. Rags soaked in household ammonia and strategically placed will deter most animals. Place the rags in areas where the skunk sleeps. The rags must be soaked daily (as ammonia evaporates) and must not be placed at a time when the skunk is present. Place them when the skunk is out foraging at night. Scattered moth balls may achieve the same effect. Keep a light on at the den site. A flashlight or portable lamp shining for a day or two will usually deter the skunk, as will a portable radio set on a news channel. The sound of human voices will keep them away.

Skunk spray is oil based. The odor will cling and linger. Inanimate objects that have been sprayed can be washed with a bleach water solution. For pets and people, vinegar and water baths will help, as will several enzymatic odor control products available at pet supply stores or though veterinarians. Time and fresh air also will eventually cause the odor to completely dissipate. The key is not to anger the skunk so much that he feels he must spray. If you encounter a skunk, back off. Warning behaviors will be exhibited by the skunk prior to spraying. In the striped skunk, you will observe foot-stomping and backing up, followed by a quick reversal, a raised tail and a spray. The tricky little spotted skunk will also stomp his feet, back up, but then do a handstand - quickly throwing his rear end over his head and spraying while still facing you.

Great-horned owls, having no sense of smell, are the greatest of the skunk predators, although they can be taken by other animals as well. In the less rural areas, cars and dogs and the biggest predators. Domestic cats seem to do all right with skunks as they are often seen dining together at the outdoor food dish. Often the comfort-seeking skunk will follow the family cat through the pet door for "all the comforts of home" after a full meal. Should this happen, open all exits immediately. Using a broom, gently usher the skunk to an appropriate exit, watching for warning behaviors. Never attempt to pick up or handle and skunk. Their bite is far worse then their spray. As with any native wild animal, it is illegal to trap and relocate them or to keep them as pets. Enjoy them for what they are - wild animals that have a right to be wild and free.

Related Links:

• Society of Kind Understanding for Not Killing Skunks (S.K.U.N.K.S.)