Skunk Problems!!

MF1455v · Oct 16, 2005

Last week the wife came in late and saw a skunk in our drive way not far from the garage. This is not uncommon as we have one or two a year. They come to feed on the crickets under our outside power pole light (street light). Controlling the crickets has become a loosing battle. We have to go out at night to walk the dog, so having a possible rabies carrying skunk around is not a option.

Last Wednesday night I went in search of this little guy. About 11:30pm I'm hooking up the PHD to stop the stink and lay Mr. Skunk to rest. All the time I'm thinking this little guy has been busy. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif A large part of the yard that has been rooted up. Looked more like we had a armadillo than a skunk. Little did I know he had friends.

Thursday night I'm out walking the dog and here is another skunk. This is a brave little guy, giving me this "do you want a piece of me" look. He had a change of opinion after meeting Mr. Remington 1100. I had already removed the PHD so Mr. Skunk II went for a ride to the creek. Upon returning a third skunk was in drive way waiting to greet me home. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif He turned, ran and found refuge for the night under my rear finish mower. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Friday morning he was gone. Friday night Mr. Skunk III returned only to meet the same fate as the others.

Three skunks in three days is a bit ridiculous. Has anyone else had this much of a skunk problem? Does anyone have any quieter and/or less smelly ways to deal with these little guys? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Thanks
James

DannyD · Oct 16, 2005

I found leaving them alone works wonders. Never got sprayed, none of our cats did either, and they lived in the culvert for quite some time.

Birdman · Oct 16, 2005

My neice and her husband are having the same problem. She has seen at least 3 different ones. They are leaving their droppings all over and digging up the yard. He has a shotgun but no shells, so I am taking them a box of 12 ga. shells today.

thatguy · Oct 16, 2005

We had a momma and some baby skunks under our small outbuilding a few years back.. After searching the net and making a few calls I ended up putting amonia soaked rags and moth balls under the building.. They family left shortly there after, I dont know whether that worked or it was time move on anyway..

As a funny side note.. The local "animal" control (i live in the city) was actually a dog only place would not do much for any other animal types.. You cant discharge a firearm in the city so that was not an option, so I could have elected to catch them in humane traps and have them euthanized (sp) by a local vet at a cost of +$50-70 each shot... You cannot move and let them loose someplace else either after catching them.. The last option was beating them to death with a shovel or similar item..

PineRidge · Oct 16, 2005

Had a friend that swore by a 12 gauge shotgun. He claimed that if you caught them by surprise that they weren't nearly as bad to deal with afterwords. I can't prove it one way or another cause when he got out the shotgun I got out the car keys and I was goooooone. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hakim · Oct 16, 2005

Seems like this issue has been around a looong time. Here's a thread --- from 2000! -- has lots of good info on skunks. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Skunk Problrem Thread

wushaw · Oct 16, 2005

Mf1455v, the problem your having with skunks in your area has to do with their home range is being destroyed by development and they are coming closer to homes for food and living quarters.
If you can find the hole or holes they are living in the you can just fill the hole in and a skunk cannot dig out before running out of air but an armidillo otoh will and the only recourse for them is lead poision, a well placed .22 short is much cleaner an quieter than a 12ga.

MF1455v · Oct 16, 2005

Hakim, thanks for the link. I missed that one when I did a search. Loved the chili powder and dog food post. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I wish leaving the alone was an option. Where we tend to find them is the one place we both could suprise each other. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Other wise they could eat all the crickets they want.

I don't have many places where they can den up. Only the brush hog and finish mower. I'm sure there dens are on other property around me. Being a poor shot the .22 was not my first option so #6 or #8 shot in the 12 guage my perfered choice and is a little more humane.

I now have a few more ideas to try when the next shunk shows up. Thanks for the information.

James