What is the biggest threat to skunks?

Skunks have few predators—hungry coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and cougars, also large owls (which have little sense of smell). Domestic dogs will also kill skunks.

What are skunks afraid of?

Citrus, ammonia, mothballs and predator urine (dog, coyote, etc) are three smells that can scare off skunks. If you use mothballs or ammonia-soaked cotton balls, be sure to keep them far away from children.

What attracts skunks to your property?

Skunks are opportunists at heart — they're mainly attracted to low-hanging fruit like garbage and pet food left out at night, as well as convenient denning sites, such as wood and rock piles, elevated sheds, and openings under concrete slabs and porches and crawl spaces.

Do predators avoid skunks?

Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, and bears can all eat skunks, but they usually avoid them.

Do skunks only spray when threatened?

No, skunks do not always spray when they feel threatened. They typically show warning signs first, like raising their tail, stomping their feet, and hissing or charging if their striped appearance isn't warning enough. They only spray if these initial warnings are ineffective.

Skunks in Kansas described by Robert Wright (Recollections)

What smell do skunks hate?

Most animals, including skunks, dislike the smell of citrus fruits. Place orange or lemon peels around the yard as a natural skunk repellent. Predator urine (dogs, coyotes) can be used to repel a skunk.

How do I keep skunks off my property?

Will a skunk spray if you shoot it?

Unfortunately, there is no sure-fire way to shoot a skunk and guarantee an odor- free experience. Since skunks often release their odor when shot, avoid shooting them in areas where their odor may be a problem.

Should skunks be killed?

It is really not necessary to kill skunks, plus it is generally not a good idea because of the stink that will follow. If you feel that you need assistance to live trap and dispatch a skunk, do enlist the help of a wildlife expert.

What food is poisonous to skunks?

What time do skunks come out at night?

Skunks are usually nocturnal, coming out well after dark, and heading back to their den around dawn.

Where do skunks stay at night?

Skunks are nocturnal, usually active from early evening through the night. They typically spend their days sleeping in dens, although they may bed in vegetation during the warm months. Dens are usually below ground but may be found in streams or pond banks, lumber piles, or beneath porches or crawl spaces.

Should I be worried about skunks in my yard?

If there are many skunks in your yard, they could tear a huge portion over a single night to access grubs and other insects in the ground. However, note that digging isn't the only issue these animals cause. They can also damage your plants as they burrow looking for food.

What time of day are skunks most active?

They are most active at night, but will sometimes venture out in the daylight hours in search of food or to find a mate. Skunks do not hibernate, although they do stay within their dens during colder temperatures. Other than during mating season, they spend most of their time alone.

Do skunks keep mice away?

Skunks May Be Keeping Mice Out of Your Home

While these critters prefer insects and grubs, skunk's diets are flexible and also include small rodents like mice. During colder months, skunks scavenge for food and often stumble upon these small rodents that they find in wooded areas or near garbage left outside of homes.

Are skunks afraid of dogs?

Unlike most other wild animals, skunks are not as fearful of people and pets because they count on the threat of their stinky defense to keep them from being harassed.

What animal kills skunks?

Coyotes, foxes, dogs, bobcats, mountain lions, badgers and big owls can all eat skunks but rarely do. Gehrt's research shows that less than 5 percent of skunk mortality is caused by predators.

Can skunks bite you?

If a person approaches them quickly or ignores the warnings, they may bite and/or spray. Do not attempt to pet or feed a skunk. Skunks that are fed lose their fear of humans and are more likely to approach humans, resulting in bites. Rabies is normally transmitted by the bite of a wild or domestic rabid mammal.

What are skunks good for?

Skunks are beneficial to farmers, gardeners, and landowners because they feed on large numbers of agricultural and garden pests. While young skunks are cute and kitten-like, they are wild animals and it is illegal to keep them as pets.

Is it legal to drown skunks?

Note that drowning is not an acceptable or legal form of euthanasia. Once euthanized, skunks can be double-bagged and disposed of in the garbage. Traps can be baited with a variety of foods including sardines, canned cat food, tuna, or bacon.

Will skunks drink antifreeze?

Anti freeze sometimes kills raccoons, skunks, squirrels and other animals. In the photo below, a homeowner attempted to perform do it yourself raccoon removal using antifreeze and rat poison.

How many times can a skunk spray before it dies?

Skunks can spray up to 6 times in succession before running out of their smelly weapon. But skunks only want to use their precious weapon as a last resort. Once they have used all their liquid, it can take up to 10-14 days to refill the glands.

Will Irish Spring soap keep skunks away?

You can also try using cut up Irish Spring soap, Peppermint Oil extract and/or Castor Oil. In addition, if you have a mechanic's drop light, you can put it as far into the opening as possible.

How long do skunks stay in one place?

From late summer through early spring, skunks will rarely stay at the same den site for more than a few days, so you can simply wait until they move on before sealing off access to the den site. From early spring through summer, females with young may stay at a den site longer.

Can a skunk live under your house?

So, skunks are primary suspects to live under homes, sheds and decks. Skunks have short, stubby legs which give them power to dig under foundation of at least 2 feet deep to access crawl spaces. Don't be surprised, even though you don't smell a skunk, a skunk lives on your property.