02/11/2025
Skunk Alert - They are out looking for their Valentine 💘
February through early March is skunk breeding season. Before you let your dogs out, make a little noise and give skunks time to move out of your yard.
If you come face to face with a skunk, stay calm and talk softly to let him know you’re there -- skunks have poor eyesight. Skunks are sweet natured animals and don’t want to spray you. Go about your business and avoid startling them.
Skunks will give you several warnings if they are scared:
1. They will stomp their front feet
2. They turn their backs to you
3. They will do a handstand
4. They will spray up to 10 feet away
If a skunk DOES spray, here is a technique and recipe:
First, catch the dog (or the person!) as quickly as possible - don’t let them roll or rub on anything. If you have rubber gloves wear them. BLOT the spray off with paper towels.
Mix a paste from 1 teaspoon Dawn dish soap, 3% hydrogen peroxide and ¼ cup baking soda and spread it on the area. Do not add water! Let it sit for ten minutes then rinse off and repeat.
If this happens to be on a human or hairless animal, leave out the baking soda. The baking soda is sort of like an exfoliant and is really abrasive to bare skin.
Skunks are omnivores (eat both plant and animal material). They prefer to eat insects, particularly grasshoppers, beetles, and crickets. They also eat grubs and other insect larvae as well as bees and wasps. When the opportunity arises, they will take mice, rats, moles, shrews, young ground squirrels and rabbits, nesting birds, nestlings, and bird or snake eggs. Skunks also eat corn, berries, and other vegetation. In an urban environment, they may eat garbage or pet food that has been left outside.
Habitat Modification:
Secure garbage cans and close dumpster lids at night.
Control rodent populations.
Do not leave pet food outdoors at night.
Remove brush or wood piles.
Control lawn grubs.
