![]() Do not allow pets to chase or “play” with skunks.Vaccinate your pets and keep their shots up to date.The bottom 6 inches of fencing should be bent outward at a 90-degree angle and buried to a depth of 6 inches to discourage skunks from digging under the fence. Install 4–6 foot widths of wire mesh fencing to fence poultry yards.Skunks are not good climbers, but can still go over small obstacles and dig under fences. A 2-foot wire mesh with the bottom 6 inches bent out at a 90-degree angle and buried at a depth of 6 inches will prevent skunks from digging underneath buildings.Place flour outside the hole and look for tracks indicating the skunk has excited before sealing up the hole. Close off holes in foundations and porches with wire mesh that extends at least 10 inches underground.Rags soaked with ammonia have also been reported to be effective repellents. Use mothballs, naphthalene flakes, or paradichlorobenzene crystals as repellants.Eliminate potential den sites by closing off old buildings, culverts, irrigation pipes and brush piles.Use wildlife-safe, non-toxic insecticides to control grubs on your property, a food source for skunks, which may result in them digging up lawns.If this happens, slowly place a long, thick, rough board into the well to allow the skunk to climb out on its own. Skunks can fall into the wells and become trapped. ![]() Keep trash in locked or weighed down containers and put it out on the morning of pick-up.Do not leave pet food and water dishes outside.Place bird feeders out of the reach of skunks and keep fallen seed picked up.Working together with neighbors to eliminate attractants can be the best way to avoid conflicts with skunks. Skunks may prey on small pets and poultry. Avoiding ConflictsĬonflicts may arise when skunks seek out food and shelter near human development. Striped skunks can be taken year-round without a license. Spotted skunks are protected and classed as furbearers and are managed with regulated trapping seasons. Skunks are mainly solitary, nocturnal animals and are active throughout the year. Breeding occurs in late fall and early winter with a litter of young born in the spring. They eat small birds, eggs, rodents, insects, reptiles, and fruits. Skunks can be found throughout Utah in wooded areas, grasslands and even in urban areas. Striped skunk tracks are approximately also 1½ inches long. Western spotted skunk tracks are approximately 1½ inches long. Typically a skunk will warn its enemies first by fluffing its fur, shaking its tail, stamping the ground and squeaking or growling. The musk spray, containing an irritating sulfur compound, is ejected from glands near the rectum. Skunks use this scent to mark territories and to ward off predators. Spotted skunk adults weigh 2–4 pounds, and striped skunks weigh 6–10 pounds.Įach species has scent glands, which produce a thick, oily and odorous fluid called musk. Utah has two species of skunks, the western spotted skunk, Spilogale gracilis, and the striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis. Skunks are easily identified by their black and white markings.
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