A skunk isn't exactly a beloved animal; the mass media has ensured that by wildly exaggerating the skunk's identity as a stinky animal to get a few laughs. In reality, though, they are fascinating creatures.
They stand out with their alluring coat of black and white hair, and just like opossums, they are immune to snake venom. They spray a foul-smelling oily liquid, but only when they feel threatened by predators or humans, and that too sparingly, since it takes a whole week to reload the anal glands which produce the liquid. In fact, perhaps conscious of the effects of the deadly weapon that they possess, they will give a clear warning before spraying; they will turn their back to you, stamp their feet and hiss audibly.
What a cool bunch, right? However, they do have an ugly side to them. They tend to be pestiferous, i.e., perform actions that oppose human interests, including getting into our garbage cans. If you're afflicted by this problem and want to learn about the various methods that you can employ to solve it, read on.
Why garbage cans?
Like opossums, skunks are omnivorous, and they will eat pretty much everything that comes their way. This means that a favorite skunk pastime is to forage around garbage to come across tasty morsels to eat, which is why your garbage can is so alluring to them.
Skunks may also regard your garbage can as an ideal form of shelter, so they will try to spend it and make themselves comfortable within it.
The following are some ways in which you can avoid this from happening.
Don't keep your garbage cans outside
Even though this is pretty obvious, it's surprising how people completely neglect to do this. It is advisable to keep your trash cans inside, or in locked sheds, outhouses and other sealed areas that are skunk-proof.
Invest in skunk-proof trash cans
Suppose you are adamant about keeping your trashcans outside. Fair enough, but in that case, you must use a heavy metal garbage can with a tight-fitting lid, because this will be much harder for a skunk to push over or get inside.
Be creative
Suppose you're too lazy to invest in a skunk-proof trash can, or maybe one is not available nearby. In that case, you must figure out other creative ways to properly secure your trash cans. For instance, you could use a bungee cord to fix the lid firmly on the garbage can when it's not in use, or you could place a heavy brick on the lid.
Keep your yard clean
A littered yard is more likely to attract skunks than a clean yard, so ensure that you give your yard proper attention and avoid leaving out leftover food or any other form of garbage.
Skunk repellents
As a last resort, you could always spray skunk repellents around the garbage can, but you'll have to reapply it now and then. It is important to note that solely relying on repellents will be ineffective in the long run, and it's best to adopt the aforementioned preventive measures as well.
Go back to the Chautauqua County wildlife removal home page.