Skunks
|
Rabies Risk |
Size |
|
Very High |
10 lbs |
Many
people consider skunks odorous, obnoxious pests that should be avoided at all
costs and even eliminated on sight. However, these animals generally are
beneficial because of their grub, insect, and rodent control capabilities. They
range throughout the United States and are considered important furbearers in
many states. Skunks are nocturnal, preferring to hunt at night for grubs,
insects, small rodents, carrion, fruit, berries, un-ripened corn, mushrooms and
other food items. Skunks like poultry and eggs, and when circumstances permit
raid chicken houses and poultry yards. In urban areas they feed on pet food,
garbage, fruit that has fallen from trees and garden vegetables. Skunks use any
sheltered place as a den including abandoned armadillo burrows, predator dens,
under houses, unused buildings, barns and even attics of buildings.
Skunks are a primary source of rabies in
Texas. The Texas Department of Health Services reports that skunks, in recent years,
have accounted for more than 60 percent of all known rabid animals. Human and
domestic pet contact with skunks should be avoided. If it is necessary to
handle a skunk, wear impermeable rubber or plastic gloves.
Skunks become a problem when their feeding and burrowing activities
conflict with man's interests. In urban areas, skunks damage gardens and lawns
as well as expose humans and pets to several transmittable diseases, especially
rabies. In rural areas, skunks can cause losses to poultry operations, expose
livestock to disease and occasionally cause damage to crops. Skunks can be a
nuisance because of their odor. All skunks have the ability to discharge a
nauseating musk from their scent glands. They are capable of discharging their
musk several times with accuracy to about 10 feet. Confrontation with pets
often results with the pet being victimized by the skunk's spray. When skunks
take shelter under buildings, their presence is not easily tolerated by
occupants of the building.
Because skunks can
cause damage and are an important vector of rabies, it is often necessary to
control individual members of a population when they are in conflict with man's
health and economic interests. Any type of control should include both
environmental and mechanical control measures. When skunks are living or rearing young under buildings,
attempts to destroy them may result in the release of their noxious scent. Before attempting removal, sprinkle a liberal amount of flour or a similar
substance in and around the entrance. After dark, check for tracks which
indicate whether the animals have left to forage for food, which openings they
used as exits and the number of skunks involved. When the animals have left,
close all possible entrances with sheet metal or hardware cloth to avoid
re-entry. Fencing usually keeps skunks out of the yard; however, they will
sometimes dig under. To prevent burrowing beneath a fence, bury a 30-inch piece
of hardware cloth so it extends 12 inches below the surface and 18 inches
outward at that depth. Remove unused pet food and water bowls at night and keep
lids on trash cans to aid in discouraging skunks.
A skunk's odor on pets, clothing, under buildings,
etc., may be neutralized by the liberal use of a commercial deodorizer. Vinegar,
tomato juice or a weak solution of household ammonia is suggested for removing
the odor from clothing. Use lime to deodorize the soil. A few drops of oil of
wintergreen on pieces of corrugated cardboard or cotton balls also give
favorable results.
Skunks are classified as furbearers in
Texas; however, it is legal to trap them. Under state law, a
person may trap a furbearing animal at any time if it is causing
damage or creating a nuisance; however, the pelt can only be sold
during the furbearers season and with the proper licenses.
Other furbearers include beaver, offer, mink, ringtail cat, badger,
raccoon, nutria, weasel, opossum, muskrat, fox and civet cat.
Page updated 2/22/05 |
