Quick Facts...
- Skunks dig holes in lawns and golf courses, eat garden produce, prey
on poultry and waterfowl, damage beehives, den under buildings, are
a host for rabies, and spray musk.
- To reduce problems with skunks, remove rubbish piles, store garbage
and pet foods in sealed cans, seal foundation openings, spray insecticides
on lawns to reduce grubs, install fences, or capture skunks with live
traps.
- Use alkaline hydrogen peroxide or a diluted solution of vinegar to
remove skunk odor from pets and clothing.
Skunks belong to the weasel family (Mustelidae) and possess one of that
family’s key characteristics—scent glands. If a skunk is not
recognized by sight, it can certainly be discerned by the sulfurous musk
it sprays in self defense.
There are four species of skunks in Colorado: striped (Mephitis mephitis),
hog-nosed (Conepatus mesoleucus), western spotted (Spilogale
gracilis), and eastern spotted (Spilogale putorius).
Biology and Behavior
All four species of skunks are omnivorous, their diets include insects,
vegetation, small rodents, eggs, and garbage. All four species have five
toes and claws on their front and hind feet for digging.
Skunks generally den in burrows of other animals, rock crevices, brush
piles, or spaces under buildings, but sometimes they dig their own burrows.
Their home range averages 0.5 to 1.5 square miles but may increase up
to 5 square miles during the breeding season.
The striped skunk is present throughout Colorado and can be found
in elevations up to 10,000 feet. Similar in size to house cats, it weighs
4 to 10 pounds and is 1.9 to 2.5 feet long. Its body is black except for
a white stripe on the forehead and a wide white area at the nape of the
neck that divides into a “V” along the back. The striped skunk
is a prolific breeder.
The hog-nosed skunk is found in small numbers in the pinon-juniper
woodlands of southeastern Colorado. It weighs the same as the striped
skunk, but its body and tail tends to be slightly longer. As the name
suggests, this skunk has a turned-up nose like a hog. The back of its
head and the entire back and tail are white, whereas the face, sides and
underside are black.
The eastern spotted skunk is rare and is occasionally found in
the plains along Colorado’s eastern border. This skunk has 4 to 6
broken white stripes on its back, long dense black fur, and a single white
spot on its forehead. The eastern spotted skunk also has a black-tipped
tail which generally is shorter than the tails of other skunks. This skunk
ranges in length from 1.3 to 1.9 feet and weighs 15.8 ounces to 1.9 pounds.
The eastern spotted skunk is also unique in its ability to climb trees.
The western spotted skunk is also not very common, mainly occurring
in the foothills and canyons of western Colorado (usually below 8,000
ft.). It can be distinguished from the eastern spotted skunk by its white
tipped tail and the broader broken white stripes on its back. The western
spotted skunk also has a spot between its eyes, but its body is slightly
smaller than the eastern spotted skunk. It measures approximately 1.1
to 1.6 feet long and weighs 14 ounces to 1.5 pounds.
Use extra care when handling spotted skunks because they are more easily
excited than striped and hog-nosed skunks and release a more pungent scent.
Skunks usually breed once a year in February or March and bear young
in early May. Litter sizes vary from two to 10, depending on the species
and age of the female. The kit’s eyes open approximately two to four
weeks after birth and depending on the species, are able to spray musk
about one to six weeks after birth.
Bobcats, coyotes, foxes, mountain lions, great horned owls, and other
animals prey on skunks but not as a primary food source. Skunks are often
hit by cars, trapped for their fur, and sometimes eliminated when they
become pests. Although skunks are beneficial because they eat insects
and rodents, they can become pests when their activities conflict with
human activities.
Skunks are nocturnal and reclusive. Use extra caution if you encounter
a skunk during the day or one that is extremely aggressive. This abnormal
behavior may indicate that the animal is rabid. The occurrence of rabid
skunks appears highest from February to May, when they breed and give
birth to their young.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 2,223 cases of rabies in
skunks were reported in the United States during 2000. However, none of
the skunks in Colorado were diagnosed with rabies. Even with this low
number, precautions should always be taken to avoid being bitten because
rabies is a virus that causes a fatal swelling of the brain if not treated
early. If bitten, the following steps should be taken:
1) Retain the skunk, (dead or alive), if possible to do so without
further injury. If the skunk is dead, keep it refrigerated or on ice.
2) Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
3) Call the local animal control department to pick up the skunk
and have it tested for rabies.
4) See your doctor as soon as possible (no later than 72 hours).
Get a tetanus shot if you have not had one in the last 10 years.
5) If the skunk is available for testing, the rabies test results
will determine if you need a rabies vaccine. If the skunk is not available,
then you should get the rabies vaccine as a prophylactic measure.
Statutes and regulations do not permit the use of toxicants or fumigants
to control skunks. State statutes prohibit keeping skunks as pets. Skunks
can be carriers of rabies, therefore, report all skunk bites to county
or state health departments and see a doctor as soon as possible.
Damage
Skunks may dig holes under buildings or enter them through openings in
the foundation. This is of concern because of the possible smell and because
skunks are a major host for rabies.
Skunks may also cause damage by digging in lawns, gardens, and golf courses
while looking for grubs. This digging usually results in small 3- to 4-inch
cone-shaped holes or patches of upturned earth. They eat fruits and vegetables,
prey on poultry and eggs, and disturb beehives. In areas where agricultural
practices have reduced nesting cover, skunks can have a significant impact
on waterfowl and upland game bird populations by preying on eggs.
Control
Preventive Measures
The best control for problems with skunks is to:
- Remove lumber and junk piles.
- Store garbage in tightly sealed cans.
- Clean up pet foods.
- Use insecticides to control grubs in turf.
- Elevate beehives about 3 feet and place a smooth sheet of metal at
the base to make them inaccessible.
- Install fencing that extends 1 to 2 feet below ground and seal foundation
openings to prevent skunks from denning under buildings.
Understanding habits and needs of skunks can help prevent unpleasant
encounters with them. However, when conflict does occur, do not kill skunks
indiscriminately or inhumanely. Preventive measures are encouraged whenever
possible.
Repellents
If a skunk is found under a building, encourage it to leave by placing
generous amounts of mothballs in cloth bags, or ammonia-soaked cloths
under the building. Attach the bags or cloths to a string so they can
be removed later.
To determine if the animal has left, sprinkle a layer of flour at the
entrance to make the direction of the tracks visible. Because skunks are
nocturnal, check the area for tracks a few hours after dark. Once the
animal is gone, seal the entrance to prevent further occurrences.
If there is doubt regarding how many skunks are under the building, use
a one-way, 1/4-inch hardware cloth door. The door, hinged at the top,
should extend beyond the entrance and outward at the base at a right angle
for about 6 inches. This design enables skunks to push their way out,
but their weight on the door prevents them from re-entering.
Elimination
In some instances, preventive methods and repellents are not sufficient
and elimination of the skunk may be necessary. In urban areas, capture
and removal may be done by a commercial pest control operator, the homeowner,
or an animal control officer. Check local ordinances before using any
control method.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife does not require a permit to kill skunks
on private land if it is essential for safety and property protection.
However, restrictions have been placed on the use of certain capture methods.
Live-Trapping
Capture skunks in 24 x 7 x 7 inch or larger live trap baited with fish-flavored
cat food, sardines, eggs, or peanut butter. Use peanut butter if cats
and raccoons might also be caught. Place the trap near the den entrance
and cover the sides with a tarp to reduce the chance of the skunk spraying
musk.
If you must move the trap, approach it quietly and move it gently with
the tarp on it to prevent the skunk from becoming excited and spraying.
State regulations require that traps are checked at least once a day.
If you trap a striped skunk, state regulations do not allow you to relocate
or transport it. The striped skunk must be released at the site of capture
or it must be destroyed. Spotted and hognosed skunks may be relocated
after obtaining a permit from the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Because
these two species are protected, you may call the Colorado Division of
Wildlife at (303) 287-1192 for help in confirming identification and/or
obtaining recommendations for relocating them.
Some animal control officers or pest control contractors might trap and/or
destroy the skunk for you. If you decide to handle the problem yourself,
skunks may be killed by shooting (where permitted), using a CO2 chamber,
or by having a veterinarian administer a euthanasia solution. Car exhaust
is no longer considered humane or effective for killing skunks. Shooting
is discouraged because the skunk usually releases its odor. Be sure to
check city and county ordinances for additional regulations that may apply.
Padded Leg-Hold Traps and Non-Lethal Snares
The use of padded leg-hold traps and non-lethal snares for capturing skunks
is permitted on private land under some conditions but is not permitted
on public lands. Capturing skunks with padded number 1 or 1 1/2 leg-hold
traps and shooting them is often undesirable because of the probability
of releasing musk. To use padded leg-hold traps and non-lethal snares
to capture depredating skunks on private lands, you must meet certain
requirements:
- The property is primarily used for commercial livestock or crop production.
- The landowner or lessee can present on-site evidence to the Division
of Wildlife that ongoing damage to livestock or crops has not been alleviated
by the use of other methods.
- A permit is required and use of traps or snares may not exceed one
30-day period per year for each parcel of private property.
- The landowner receives approval from the Colorado Division of Wildlife
prior to trapping or snaring.
- Traps and snares are not set within 30 feet of either side of a public
trail easement across private lands.
- Traps and snares are prohibited within 30 feet of an exposed carcass
of any game wildlife or domestic animal.
- All traps and snares must be checked at least once every day.
When obtaining approval from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, be sure
to ask the representative about other regulations that may apply.When
obtaining approval from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, be sure to
ask the representative about other regulations that may apply, such as
trap check frequencies.
Shooting
Skunks may be shot in rural areas but not near buildings or any area
of public concentration. Artificial light may be used while shooting striped
skunks at night on public land with a permit from the Colorado Division
of Wildlife. No permit is needed on private land. The light source should
not be from within or permanently attached to a vehicle and shooting may
not occur within 500 yards of buildings. Shooting is discouraged because
the skunk often will release musk.
Spray and Odor Removal
Unless surprised suddenly, a skunk will give obvious warning signals
before it sprays. It will arch its back, stamp its front feet, and shuffle
backwards. Finally, the skunk will raise its tail, bend its body to a
U-shaped position, and release musk. This musk is a sulfur-alcohol compound
and can be extremely nauseating. Severe burning, tears, and temporary
blindness (10 to 15 minutes) may occur if the musk gets in the eyes. Rinse
eyes with water to reduce discomfort.
Alkaline hydrogen peroxide is a very effective deodorizing solution consisting
of 1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (from a drugstore), 1/4 cup baking
soda (sodium bicarbonate), and 1 teaspoon liquid soap. It is one of the
best solutions to help eliminate odor on pets, people, clothing, or residential
areas that have been sprayed. Pets bathed with alkaline hydrogen peroxide
should then be rinsed thoroughly with tap water. A solution of 2 percent
vinegar and 98 percent water may also help eliminate odor from pets, clothing,
and possessions.
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