SKUNKS

  See Giant Destroyer and Dual Odor Control

Biology and Control of Skunks

Introduction

People generally relate skunks to the foul-smelling, defensive spray they discharge when scared or threatened. Many people have experienced this unpleasant odor along roadways and on dogs that have come in contact with skunks. Generally, people avoid skunks and have little tolerance for their presence.

In many parts of North America, skunks are the major carriers of rabies. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of warm-blooded animals. This disease is normally spread by the bite of a rabies-infected animal and is fatal once symptoms develop. Rabies has been present in the skunk population of southern Washington State.  Any skunk acting abnormally, such as being tame or active during daylight hours, should be avoided and reported at once to the nearest veterinarian.

Critter Ridder shake-on granules keep small animals away from spring and fall plantings, as well as garages, attics, basements and indoor storage areas. The granules repel by both taste and odor, and are effective to use outdoors and indoors, particularly in garages, sheds, attics, basements and storage areas that often attract pests. The product is ideal for keeping skunks, groundhogs, squirrels, raccoons and even dogs and cats away from areas you wish to protect. It is made of a pepper-based formula, with oil of black pepper, piperine and capsaicin as the active ingredients. Based on independent testing, the product has proven to be long-lasting. One application lasts up to 30 days.  The 1.25-lb. container will treat approximately 75 sq. ft. indoors and 50 sq. ft. outdoors. The 2.2-lb. container will treat approximately 130 sq. ft. indoors and 90 sq. ft. outdoors. Not a urine based product. See label
Buy a 1.25 lbs. container of Critter Ridder for 19.95
Buy a 2.2 lbs. container of Critter Ridder for 24.95

Identification

The striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis, is the most common of four skunk species found in North America and the only one present in Washington State. The striped skunk can be found across the province but is most common in the settled central and southern parts. It is characterized by a black body with a narrow white stripe on the forehead and wider stripes that extend from the neck along each side of the back. Some white may also be present on the top of the black bushy tail. The body size is comparable to a house cat, with most adult skunks measuring about 74 cm long and weighing about 2 to 4 kilograms. Skunks have sharp claws on the front feet used for digging insects and worms.  Their footprint and moving pattern distinguishes them from other similar-sized animals.

Biology, Behavior and Reproduction

Skunks are members of the weasel family, all of which possess scent glands near the anus. However, the skunk has the most advanced scent gland development. The glands contain approximately 15 cc of a yellowish, oily liquid. This fluid is a sulphur compound, n-butyl mercaptan. A skunk can discharge a spray of this fluid as far as 4 to 5 m and spray up to six times in succession. It takes up to 10 days to replenish the supply of liquid after full discharge.

Skunks are nocturnal animals, active and feeding during night hours. Their behavior is slow and deliberate, and they appear confident in defending themselves against other animals. Before a skunk discharges its scent glands, it will usually give a warning by stamping its feet rapidly, raising its tail straight up, clicking its teeth, and growling or hissing. A skunk generally sprays only as a last resort, preferring to retreat from danger.

Skunks eat many harmful insects and rodents but also prey on eggs and young of waterfowl and other ground- nesting birds. They sometimes cause problems in bee yards by feeding on bees as they emerge from the hive. Skunks also occasionally prey on farm poultry and eggs.

Several skunks, generally one mature male and several (up to 12) females, gather at and cohabitate a winter den site from fall until spring. The same winter den is generally used year after year if not disturbed. In rural areas, den sites are frequently found under old farm buildings, granaries and other structures. Skunks do not hibernate but generally remain inactive during winter, surviving on their fat stores. However, they may leave the winter den for short periods during warm weather.

Skunks mate during February and March. One male may breed several females. After mating, female skunks disperse from the winter den to a separate maternal den. Grass is usually gathered and brought into the maternal den for bedding. Generally, 4 - 7 young are born about nine weeks after mating in May or June. The young are blind and deaf at birth with short, fine fur. Adult male skunks do not take part in rearing offspring. The young are nursed in the den for about six weeks before joining their mother on trips outside the den. By this time they are miniature replicas of adults. The young are weaned by about two months of age. The family group breaks up in the fall, and the young move to new territory. They generally travel about six to 10 km in search of a new home; however, extremes of up to 50 km have been recorded.Legal status

Skunks are not protected by law in Washington State. The Agricultural Pests Act declares the skunk a nuisance. This allows landowners to destroy skunks and skunk dens on their land. The Wildlife Act classifies the skunk as a non-licensed animal. Skunks can be hunted or trapped year-round on private land by the property owner and during the fur trapping season by a licensed trapper.

Non-lethal control methods

Exclusion and habitat modification A skunk becomes a problem when its presence and activities conflict with people. The best way to minimize skunk problems around homes and farmyards is to remove potential sources of food and living sites for skunks.

Skunks can be prevented from living or entering under buildings and other structures by closing all spaces with wood or metal screen. Ensure spaces are enclosed tightly to the ground to discourage digging. When skunks are already living under a building, they can be coerced to leave in the following manner:

Keep in mind that young skunks will be present from early May until mid-August if a maternal den exists. If possible, buildings should not be skunk-proofed during this period.

If you are unsure how many skunks are present under a building, hang a section of 5 cm or less diameter wire mesh or board overlapping the entrance. Loosely hinge the top with wire. Skunks will push this cover open to leave but should not be able to re-enter. Once you are sure all skunks are out, permanently seal the opening.

Skunks are often very persistent in their attempts to get back into a den from which they have been shut out, especially when young are present. Therefore, wire mesh of 5 cm or less diameter spacing is recommended for blocking entrances. Bury the mesh about 15 cm below ground level to prevent skunks from digging under.

If a skunk enters a garage, cellar, basement or building, leave a door open so it can leave. Do not try to chase it out or spraying may result. Skunks trapped in window wells or other pits can be assisted to leave by carefully lowering a wide board, with cleats nailed on at 15 cm intervals, into the pit. The skunk can then climb up the board and escape. Place wire mesh around or over window wells to keep out skunks.

Skunks can also live beneath brushpiles, rockpiles, stacked lumber and wrecked automobiles. These, as well as old, abandoned or unused granaries and buildings, should be removed to discourage skunk presence. Maintain a clean, uncluttered yard by removing rubbish and cutting tall grass. Road culverts in dry locations are often used by skunks as dens. Place 5 to 7.5 cm diameter wire mesh over culvert openings to prevent use by skunks.

Properly fenced poultry runs will prevent predation by skunks and other wild animals.

Place beehives on stands about 1 m high to prevent skunks from eating bees. Beehive locations can be fenced with 50 cm high wire mesh of 7.5 cm or less spacing to prevent skunk access. Pet food and improperly stored garbage and compost attract skunks and other scavengers. Place garbage and compost in secure containers with tight lids. Do not leave pet food, water dishes and food scraps accessible to skunks.

Repellents

Lights, sounds, and chemicals such as moth balls or ammonia soaked in rags, may temporarily discourage skunks from entering an enclosed area. However, other methods are necessary for a permanent solution to the presence of skunks.

Lethal control methods

Trapping

When skunks need to be removed, trapping with a box-design live trap works the best. These traps should be of solid construction with a single entrance and measure about 18 to 25 cm square and 76 cm long. When set, the entrance door is locked up in place to allow a skunk to enter the trap. When the skunk steps on a false floor in the trap, the door closes behind the skunk. Live traps for skunks can be purchased from hardware and other stores, or you can construct a trap from wood. Some of the commercial live traps are made of open mesh. These should be enclosed with tin or light plywood before use to allow easy handling of captured skunks with little risk of the skunk spraying. Skunks do not generally spray in an enclosed space. An enclosed trap containing a skunk can be gently picked up and moved with a vehicle to another location for skunk release or destruction, generally without incident. Skunks that are being released should be moved at least 12 km to prevent their return. Destroy captured skunks humanely. You may release them at a safe location and shoot them with a shotgun, or wrap the trap tightly in plastic and then gas with propane for about five minutes to asphyxiate the skunk.

Skunks are easy to catch in live traps. Use sardines or moist cat food as bait. Place the bait inside, at the back of the trap. When the skunk tries to get the bait, the trap door closes and captures the skunk. Make sure you have caught a skunk and not a cat or other small animal before moving the animal or gassing it. Live traps should have an inspection hole in the top for identifying what you have caught. Traps should be inspected every morning and prompt action taken to remove the captured animal.

Foothold and body-gripping traps are not recommended for catching skunks, especially around homes and yards. Skunks often spray when caught in these traps. Public controversy surrounds the humaneness of these traps for capturing animals. These traps can severely injure or kill cats, dogs and other non-target animals.

Bugaboo^®  Pest Control, LLC doityou

Ant exterminate, odorous house ant exterminate, Carpet beetles exterminate, caterpillars exterminate, catapillers exterminate, centipedes exterminate, crazy ant exterminate, dursban exterminate, entomology exterminate, flea exterminate, flies exterminate, bebbugs exterminate, bed-bugs exterminate, bed bugs exterminate, hornets exterminate, yellowjackets exterminate, wasps exterminate, cloth moth exterminate, colthes moth extSerminate, clothing moth exterminate, clovermite exterminate, clover-mite exterminate, clover might exterminate, cricket exterminate, food bugs exterminate, food and pantry bugs exterminate, fruitfly exterminate, fruit flies exterminate, fruit-flies exterminate, head-lice exterminate, head lice exterminate, hobo exterminate, lady bug exterminate, lady-bug exterminate, lady-bug exterminate, little tiny ants exterminate, sugar ants exterminate, piss ants exterminate, mole exterminate, mole information exterminate, lice exterminate, lyme disease exterminate, lime disease exterminate, sowbugs exterminate, sow-bugs exterminate, sow bugs exterminate, Anobiid exterminate, Powderpost Beetles exterminate, Coleoptera exterminate, Anobium punctatum exterminate, Xestobium rufovillosum exterminate, parasites exterminate, Brownbanded exterminate, American cockroach exterminate, Oriental cockroach exterminate, German cockroach exterminate, mosquitoes exterminate, Diptera exterminate, Culicidae exterminate, rorway rats exterminate, roof rats exterminate, beetles exterminate, beatles exterminate,

rselfpestcontrol do-it-yourself-pest-control do_it_yourself_pest_control doyourownpestcontrol do-your-own-pest-control do_your_own_pest_control pestcontrolsupplies pest-control-supplies  pest_control_supplies bugoutlet bug-outlet bug_outlet pestproducts pest-products pest_products victorpest victor_pest victor-pest orkin terminex amazonpest
Copyright © 2001 [Alan Luke]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 05/11/08. Home