Skunks: Living with them...?

Question

Has anyone had any experience living with skunks in their yard? If so, did they become a problem? Recently, I have had a family of them move under my shed in the backyard. As of yet, they have not been a problem. I like them and enjoy watching them, but am wondering if I should trap them and move them somewhere else. I refuse to poison them.

Answer 1

Enjoy them.

Skunks are considered by most to be pests; but they are actually beneficial.

Skunks eat many types of pests (bugs and larvae).

They will make holes in your lawn if you have an infestation of June Beetle larvae and other lawn damaging pests.

Just rake the lawn over - the holes will actually do the lawn some good by eliminate damaging bugs, larvae and give it an aeration job.

Just do not startle them. They will snoop along side of you as long as you do not bother them.

I have had them right at my feet without any problems.

The only cautions are:
If you have outside pets (especially cats and dogs) they have to be trained to stay clear of the skunks

If the skunk is acting abnormally stumbling around, biting at everything, frothing at the mouth, etc. Stay indoors and call Animal Control (it may be rabid - this can happen with any warm blooded domesticated and wild animal that has not been immunized against rabies (including squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, foxes)

Reply to "little mama"'s answer.

Unvaccinated domesticated dogs are the biggest threat as far as rabies in North America.

http://www.aspenskunk.org/myths.htm

They usually do not want spray. They use their spray as a last
line of defense. Skunks will warn you by stamping their front feet.

We have had a family of skunks living somewhere near our property and hardly ever see them.

Our cat got sprayed twice and now stays clear of them.

Put a sign up in your front yard

This property is guarded by Bush Kitties - Beware of their perfume.

This should keep most unwanted strangers away.

Good Luck

Answer 2

If you don't have any pets or children, I'd leave them alone and enjoy a little wildlife in your yard.

But if you have a dog or cat, the skunks will eventually spray them. With cats, one spray usually teachs a cat to keep it's distance from the skunks. But I've known dogs that never learn that lesson. Also, a skunk could seriously injure a cat or small dog if the cat threatens the skunk's territory or young. Skunks don't fight much, but will if cornered (like almost all animals).

And if you have kids around that are too young to understand that they can't pet the pretty skunk, you might rethink sharing your yard.

I have lived with skunks under my home for many years without any real problem. My dad always fed alley cats, which also meant we fed skunks. Cats generally learn to share the territory after the first time a skunk sprays them, so we never had any injuries or fights. One of our neighbors got sprayed, but that was because she decided the best way to make the skunk go away was to make a loud noise. She would have been fine if she just talked to it in a gentle voice to announce her presence and kept walking past.

To bring myself back to the point, and your question: if they aren't bothering you and you enjoy them, let them stay.

Answer 3

Skunks are notorious for carrying rabies. So like watching them or not it is best to get rid of them
Do not try to trap them yourself because there is no way you can transport them to another place without getting sprayed or getting your car or truck sprayed. Trust me on this. Call in a pro to take care of them.

Answer 4

As long as they look healthy and don't bother you, leave them be! I presume you don't have outside pets that will bother them either. I don't have personal experience coexisting with them, but have heard of others who have, quite peacefully. They will come to understand that they can trust you.

Answer 5

You probably should remove them for saftey sake after all they are wild animals and when you want your shed back they might not want to give it up.