C-113

SKUNKS

James E. Knight

Extension Wildlife Specialist

Animal and Range Sciences

Montana State University

Bozeman, MT 59717

Damage Prevention and

Control Methods

Exclusion

Buildings: close cellar and outside

basement and crawl space doors;

seal and cover all openings

including window wells and pits.

Poultry yards: install wire mesh

fences.

Beehives: elevate and install aluminum

guards.

Habitat Modification

Removal of garbage, debris, and

lumber piles.

Frightening

Lights and sounds are of limited value.

Repellents

Some home remedies such as moth

balls or flakes or ammonia solution

may be useful, but no repellents are

registered.

Toxicants

None are registered.

Fumigants

Gas cartridges.

Trapping

Box trap.

Leghold trap.

Shooting

Practical only when animals are far

from residential areas.

Other Methods

Skunk removal.

Odor removal.

Identification

The skunk, a member of the weasel

family, is represented by four species

in North America. The skunk has

short, stocky legs and prop ortionately

large feet equipped with well-devel-

oped claws that enable it to be very

adept at digging.

The striped skunk (Fig. 1) is character-

ized by prominent, lateral white

stripes that run down its back. Its fur is

otherwise jet black. Striped skunks are

the most abundant of the four species.

The body of the striped skunk is about

the size of an ordinary house cat (up to

29 inches [74 cm] long and weighing

about 8 pounds [3.6 kg] ). The spotted

skunk (Fig. 1) is smaller (up to 21

inches [54 cm] long and weighing

about 2.2 pounds [1 kg]), more weasel-

like, and is readily distinguishable by

white spots and short, broken white

stripes in a dense jet-black coat.

Fig. 1. Left, the striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis;

right, the spotted skunk, Spilogale putorius

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE — 1994

Coop erat ive Extension Division

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Animal Damage Control

Great Plains Agricultural Council

Wildlife Committee

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The hooded skunk (Mephitis macroura)

is identified by hair on the neck that is

spread out into a ruff. It is 28 inches

(71 cm) long and weighs the same as

the striped skunk. It has an extremely

long tail, as long as the head and body

combined. The back and tail may be all

white, or nearly all black, with two

white side stripes. The hog-nosed

skunk (Conepatus leucontus) has a long

snout that is hairless for about 1 inch

(2.5 cm) at the top. It is 26 inches (66

cm) long and weighs 4 pounds (1.8

kg). Its entire back and tail are white

and the lower sides and belly are

black. Skunks have the ability to dis-

charge nauseating musk from the anal

glands and are capable of several dis-

charges, not just one.

Range

The strip ed skunk is common through-

out the United States and Canada (Fig.

2a). Sp otted skunks are uncommon in

some areas, but distributed through-

out most of the United States and

northern Mexico (Fig 2b). The hooded

skunk and the hog-nosed skunk are

much less common than striped and

spotted skunks. Hooded skunks are

limited to southwestern New Mexico

and western Texas. The hog-nosed

skunk is found in southern Colorado,

central and southern New Mexico, the

southern half of Texas, and northern

Mexico.

General Biology,

Reproduction, and

Behavior

Adult skunks begin breeding in late

February. Yearling females (born in the

preceding year) mate in late March.

Gestation usually lasts 7 to 10 weeks.

Older females bear young during the

first part of May, while yearling

females bear young in early June.

There is usually only 1 litter annually.

Litters commonly consist of 4 to 6

young, but may have from 2 to 16.

Younger or smaller females have

smaller litters than older or larger

Habitat

Skunks inhabit clearings, pastures, and

open lands bordering forests. On

prairies, skunks seek cover in the

thickets and timber fringes along

streams. They establish dens in hollow

logs or may climb trees and use hollow

limbs.

Food Habits

Skunks eat plant and animal foods in

about equal amounts during fall and

winter. They eat considerably more

animal matter during spring and su m-

mer when insects, their preferred food,

are more available. Grasshoppers,

beetles, and crickets are the adult

insects most often taken. Field and

house mice are regular and important

items in the skunk diet, particularly in

winter. Rats, cottontail rabbits, and

other small mammals are taken when

other food is scarce.

Damage and Damage

Identification

Skunks become a nuisance when their

burrowing and feeding habits conflict

with humans. They may burrow under

porches or buildings by entering foun-

dation openings. Garbage or refuse left

outdoors may be disturbed by skunks.

Skunks may damage beehives by

attempting to feed on bees. Occasion-

ally, they feed on corn, eating only the

lower ears. If the cornstalk is knocked

over, however, raccoons are more

likely the cause of damage. Damage to

the upper ears of corn is indicative of

birds, deer, or squirrels. Skunks dig

holes in lawns, golf courses, and gar-

dens to search for insect grubs found

in the soil. Digging normally appears

as small, 3- to 4-inch (7- to 10-cm)

cone-shaped holes or patches of up-

turned earth. Several other animals, in-

cluding domestic dogs, also dig in

lawns.

Skunks occasionally kill poultry and

eat eggs. They normally do not climb

fences to get to poultry. By contrast,

females. The young stay with the

female until fall. Both sexes mature by

the following spring. The age potential

for a skunk is about 10 years, but few

live beyond 3 years in the wild.

The normal home range of the skunk is

l/2 to 2 miles (2 to 5 km) in diameter.

During the breeding season, a male

may travel 4 to 5 miles (6.4 to 8 km)

each night.

Skunks are dormant for about a month

during the coldest part of winter. They

may den together in winter for

warmth, but generally are not sociable.

They are nocturnal in habit, rather

slow-moving and deliberate, and have

great confidence in defending them-

selves against other animals.

Fig. 2a. Range of the striped skunk in North

America.

Fig. 2b. Range of the spotted skunk in North

America.

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rats, weasels, mink, and racc oons

regularly climb fences. If skunks gain

access, they will normally feed on the

eggs and occasionally kill one or two

fowl. Eggs usually are opened on one

end with the edges crushed inward.

Weasels, mink, dogs and raccoons

usually kill several chickens or ducks

at a time. Dogs will often severely mu-

tilate poultry. Tracks may be used to

identify the animal causing damage.

Both the hind and forefeet of skunks

have five toes. In some cases, the fifth

toe may not be obvious. Claw marks

are usually visible, but the heels of the

forefeet normally are not. The hindfeet

tracks are approximately 2 1/2 inches

long (6.3 cm) (Fig. 3). Skunk drop-

pings can often be identified by the

undigested insect parts they contain.

Droppings are 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 13

mm) in diameter and 1 to 2 inches (2.5

to 5 cm) long.

Odor is not always a reliable indicator

of the presence or absence of skunks.

Sometimes dogs, cats, or other animals

that have been sprayed by skunks

move under houses and make owners

mistakenly think skunks are present.

Rabies may be carried by skunks on

occasion. Skunks are the primary carri-

ers of rabies in the Midwest. When

rabies outbreaks occur, the ease with

which rabid animals can be contacted

increases. Therefore, rabid skunks are

prime vectors for the spread of the

virus. Avoid overly aggressive skunks

that approach without hesitation. Any

skunk showing abnormal behavior,

such as daytime activity, may be rabid

and should be treated with caution.

Report suspicious behavior to local

animal control authorities.

Legal Status

Striped skunks are not protected by

law in most states, but the spotted

skunk is fully protected in some. Legal

status and licensing requirements

vary. Check with state wildlife officials

before removing any skunks.

Damage Prevention and

Control Methods

Exclusion

Keep skunks from denning under

buildings by sealing off all foundation

openings. Cover all openings with

wire mesh, sheet metal, or concrete.

Bury fencing 1 1/2 to 2 feet (0.4 to 0.6

m) where skunks can gain access by

digging. Seal all ground-level openings

into poultry buildings and close doors

at night. Poultry yards and coops

without subsurface foundations may

be fenced with 3-foot (1-m) wire mesh

fencing. Bury the lowest foot (0.3 m) of

fencing with the bottom 6 inches (15.2

cm) bent outward from the yard or

building. S kunks can be excluded from

window wells or similar pits with

mesh fencing. Place beehives on stands

3 feet (1 m) high. It may be necessary

to install aluminum guards around the

bases of hives if skunks attempt to

climb the supports. Skunks, however,

normally do not climb. Use tight-fit-

ting lids to keep skunks out of garbage

cans.

Habitat Modification

Properly disp ose of garbage or other

food sources that will attract skunks.

Skunks are often attracted to rodents

living in barns, crawl spaces, sheds,

and garages. Rodent control programs

may be necessary to eliminate this at-

traction.

Fig. 3. Tracks of the striped skunk.

Front

Hind

Debris such as lumber, fence posts,

and junk cars provide shelter for

skunks, and may encourage them to

use an area. Clean up the area to dis-

courage skunks.

Frightening

Lights and sounds may provide tem-

porary relief from skunk activity.

Repellents

There are no registered repellents for

skunks. Most mammals, including

skunks, can sometimes be discouraged

from entering enclosed areas with

moth balls or moth flakes (naphtha-

lene). This material needs to be used in

sufficient quantities and replaced often

if it is to be effective. Ammonia-soaked

cloths may also repel skunks. Repel-

lents are only a temporary measure.

Permanent solutions require other

methods.

Toxicants

No toxicants are registered for use in

controlling skunks.

Fumigants

Two types of gas cartridges are regis-

tered for fumigating skunk burrows.

Fumigation kills skunks and any other

animals present in the burrows by

suffocation or toxic gases. Follow label

directions and take care to avoid fire

hazards when used near structures.

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completely covered, it is a proven,

effective method for relocating a

skunk. If the skunk is to be killed, the

US Department of Agriculture recom-

mends shooting or euthanization with

CO

2

.

Leghold Traps. Leghold traps

should not be used to catch skunks

near houses because of potential p rob-

lem of scent discharge. To remove a

live skunk caught in a leghold trap, a

veterinarian or wildlife official may

first inject it with a tranquilizer, then

remove it from the trap for disposal or

release elsewhere.

Shooting

Skunks caught in leghold traps may be

shot. Shooting the skunk in the middle

of the back to sever the spinal cord and

paralyze the hind quarters may pre-

vent the discharge of scent. Shooting in

the back should be followed immedi-

ately by shooting in the head. Most

people who shoot trapped skunks

should expect a scent discharge.

Other Methods

Skunk Removal. The following

steps are suggested for removing

skunks already established under

buildings.

1. Seal all possible entrances along the

foundation, but leave the main bur-

row open.

2. Sprinkle a layer of flour 2 feet (0.6

m) in circumference on the grou nd

in front of the opening.

3. After dark, examine the flour for

tracks which indicate that the skunk

has left to feed. If tracks are not

present, reexamine in an hour.

4. After the den is empty, cover the re-

maining entrance immediately.

5. Reopen the entrance the next day

for 1 hour after dark to allow any

remaining skunks to exit before per-

manently sealing the entrance.

A wooden door suspended from wire

can be improvised to allow skunks to

leave a burrow but not to reenter.

Burrows sealed from early May to

Metal triangle keeps

door from raising.

Galvanized metal door

Galvanized metal treadle

36"

12"

24"

12"

24"

6"

Trapping

Box Traps. Skunks can be caught in

live traps set near the entrance to their

den. When a den is used by more than

one animal, set several traps to reduce

capture time. Live traps can be pur-

chased or built. Figures 4 and 5 illus-

trate traps that can be built easily.

Consult state wildlife agency person-

nel before trapping skunks.

Use canned fish-flavored cat food to

lure skunks into traps. Other food

baits such as peanut butter, sardines,

and chicken entrails are also effective.

Before setting live traps, cover them

with canvas to reduce the chances of a

trapped skunk discharging its scent.

The canvas creates a dark, secure envi-

ronment for the animal. Always ap-

proach a trap slowly and quietly to

prevent upsetting a trapped skunk.

Gently remove the trap from the area

and release or kill the trapped skunk.

Captured skunks should be trans-

ported at least 10 miles (16 km) and

released in a habitat far from hum an

dwellings. Attach a length of heavy

string or fishing line to the trap cover

and release the skunk from a distance.

Removing and transporting a live-

trapped skunk may appear to be a

precarious business, but if the trap is

Fig. 4. A box trap can be easily built using scrap lumber and small-mesh, welded-wire fencing.

Front view

Top View

Side view

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Trigger mechanism

Side view

Notch

1/2" x 9"

dowel

Attach bait

Fig. 5. Alternate design for a box trap.

6 1/2"

Trigger hole and plate

1 1/4" trigger hole

1/2" hole in

end

10"

5"

2 1/2"

Underside

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mid-August may leave young skunks

trapped in the den. If these young are

mobile they can usually be box-

trapped easily using the methods pre-

viously described. Where skunks have

entered a garage, cellar, or house, open

the doors to allow the skunks to exit

on their own. Do not prod or distu rb

them. S kunks trapped in cellar win-

dow wells or similar pits may be

removed by nailing cleats at 6-inch

(15-cm) intervals to a board. Lower the

board into the well and allow the

skunk to climb out on its own. Skunks

are mild-tempered animals that will

not defend themselves unless they are

cornered or harmed. They usually pro-

vide a warning before discharging

their scent, stamping their forefeet

rapidly and arching their tails over

their backs. Anyone experiencing such

a threat should retreat quietly and

slowly. Loud noises and quick, aggres-

sive actions should be avoided.

Odor Removal. Many individuals

find the smell of skunk musk nauseat-

ing. The scent is persistent and difficult

to remove. Diluted solutions of vin-

egar or tomato juice may be used to

eliminate most of the odor from

people, p ets, or clothing. Clothing may

also be soaked in weak solutions of

household chloride bleach or ammo-

nia. On camping trips, clothing can be

smoked over a cedar or juniper fire.

Neutroleum alpha is a scent-masking

solution that can be applied to the

sprayed area to reduce the odor. It is

available through some commercial

cleaning suppliers and the local

USDA-APHIS-ADC office. Walls or

structural areas that have been

sprayed by skunks can be washed

down with vinegar or tomato juice

solutions or sprayed with neutroleum

alpha. Use ventilation fans to speed up

the process of odor dissipation. Where

musk has entered the eyes, severe

burning and an excessive tear flow

may occur. Temporary blindness of 10

or 15 minutes may result. Rinse the

eyes with water to speed recovery.

Economics of Damage

and Control

Skunks should not be needlessly

destroyed. They are highly beneficial

to farmers, gardeners, and landowners

because they feed on large numbers of

agricultural and garden pests. They

prey on field mice and rats, both of

which may girdle trees or cau se health

problems. Occasionally they eat moles,

which cause damage to lawns, or in-

sects such as white grubs, cutworms,

potato beetle grubs, and other species

that damage lawns, crops, or hay.

Skunks occasionally feed on ground-

nesting birds, but their impact is

usually minimal due to the large abun-

dance of alternative foods. Skunks also

feed on the eggs of upland game birds

and waterfowl. In waterfowl produc-

tion areas, nest destruction by egg-

seeking predators such as skunks can

significantly reduce reproduction. The

occasional problems caused by the

presence of skunks are generally out-

weighed by their beneficial habits.

Some people even allow skunks to den

under abandoned buildings or wood-

piles. Unless skunks become really

bothersome, they should be left alone.

An economic evaluation of the feeding

habits of skunks shows that only 5% of

the diet is made up of items that are

economically valuable to people.

The hide of the skunk is tough, dura-

ble, and able to withstand rough use.

Generally there is little market for

skunk pelts but when other furbearer

prices are high, skunks are worth

pelting.

Acknowledgments

Much of the information for this chapter was

based on a publication by F. Robert Henderson.

Figures 1 and 2 fro m Schwartz and Schwartz

(1981).

Figures 3 through 5 by Jerry Downs, Graphic

Artist, Cooperative Extension Service, New

Mexico State University.

For Additional

Information

Burt, W. H., and R. P. Grossenheider. 1976. A

field guide to the mammals, 3d ed.

Houghton Mifflin Co., Bosto n. 289 pp.

Deems, E. F., Jr., and D. Pursley, eds. 1983.

North American furbearers: a contempo rary

reference. Int. Assoc. Fish Wildl. Agencies

and Maryland Dep. Nat. Resour. 223 pp.

Godin, A. J. 1982. Striped and hooded skunks.

Pages 674-687 in J. A. Chapman and G. A.

Feldhamer, eds. Wild mammals of North

America: biolo gy, management, and

economics. The Johns Hopkins Univ. Press,

Baltimore, Maryland.

Ho ward, W. E., and R. E. Marsh. 1982. Spotted

and ho g-nosed skunks. Pages 664-673 in J. A.

Chapman and G. A. Feldhamer, eds. Wild

mammals of North America: biology,

management, and economics. The Johns

Hopkins Univ. Press, Baltimore, Maryland.

Rosatte, Richard C. 1987. Striped, spotted,

ho oded, and hog-nosed skunk. Pages 598-

613 in M. Novak, J. A. Baker, M. E. Obbard,

and B. Malloch, eds. Wild furbearer

management and co nservatio n in North

America. Ministry of Nat. Resour., Ontario,

Canada.

Editors

Scott E. Hygnstrom

Robert M. Timm

Gary E. Larson