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Skunk

Mephitis mephitis

There are four different kinds of skunks found within the United States, the most common found in the Pacific Northwest being the striped skunk. They are well known for their two anal glands which produce a fluid with a highly offensive odor.

Skunks are easily recognized by their elongated, usually black body. All skunks are striped from birth. Striping may be a single thick stripe across the back and tail, two thinner stripes in the same location, or a combination of white spots with broken stripes. Body size can range from 15.6 to 37 inches in length; weight can range from 1.1 to 18 pounds dependent on the species. Skunks do not hibernate, but they do become very inactive in winter months, rarely feeding and remaining dormant within their dens. They tend to be solitary dwellers, but females may gather in huddles while over-wintering for warmth. Males usually den alone. Both genders tend to return to the same winter den season after season.

Mating season is typically early spring. Gestation is about 66 days. Each litter consists of 4 to 7 young (or kits). When born, kits are deaf and blind, usually not opening their eyes until about 3 weeks of age. They generally stay with the mother until around the age of one year. Females are extremely protective of the kits and will use their scent glands if they feel the kits are in danger. Males have no role in raising the kits, and in fact may even kill them.

These animals are omnivorous and tailor their diets to what is available seasonally. Commonly their diet includes: insects, earthworms, small rodents, lizards, frogs, snakes, birds, moles, berries, roots, grasses, nuts, garbage remnants and pet foods when available. They are considered a primary predator of the honeybee. When teaching kits the art of foraging for food, they have been known to scratch at the front of the honeybee hive and eat the guard bees that come to investigate. Their thick fur acts as protection against bee stings.

Skunks generally use their scent glands as a defense mechanism against predators. Muscles near these scent glands allow a high degree of accuracy up to 15 feet. Aside from the offensive odor, this spray can cause eye irritation or even temporary blindness and can be detected by even the least sensitive human nose up to a mile downwind. Skunks are somewhat reluctant in using this defense mechanism because their body only contains about 15cc's (equal to five or six uses). Once used, their body takes about ten days to produce another supply. When practical to do so, skunks tend to go through an elaborate routine of hissing, foot stamping and threatening "high-tail" postures before resulting to spraying a predator. These routines often have the intended effect with the intended predator.

While they have an excellent sense of smell and hearing, they also have extremely poor vision and can not see well beyond about 10 feet. This makes them quite vulnerable to road traffic and contributes to what is usually a short lifespan. Fewer than 10% of skunks survive more than 3 years.

In daylight hours, they shelter in burrows dug with their powerful front claws, in natural hollows, or in man made hollows. Often times if they are able to find their way in, they will shelter in the crawlspace area of home structures. Invasion into a human living space is less than desirable for many reasons. These animals can be carriers of rabies and can carry parasites that can affect human health and can be very destructive to property as well. They can shred ductwork, damage or destroy insulation, chew on structure wiring, and cause health and sanitation issues due to excrement they leave.

Important prevention measures include:

1. Remove available food sources by properly securing garbage cans, dumpsters, etc. Be sure to pick up any outdoor pet food leftovers regularly. Keep in mind that rodents can serve as a food source for skunks, so if you have any rodent activity they should be eradicated as well.
2. Seal any openings into the structure that could offer an entrance into the structure. Entrance under homes is usually gained through lack of a crawlspace door or cover. These areas should be properly sealed.

While these preventative measures may help, if you have an infestation and need help with control, a call to Long Pest Control can develop an Integrated Pest Control program to eliminate the sightings and provide an environment free of unwanted pests year round.