By Colleen Grzan, werc@werc-ca.org
The antics of Pepe LePew are funny to watch on Saturday cartoons, but you may not find it amusing to have the real-life critters in your backyard, eating from your pet’s food bowl like these two young Morgan Hill skunks. How can you keep them away? First of all, don’t actually shoo them away … you’re aware of the possible repercussions, of course. And that means keeping Fido and Kitty (as well as their food dishes) in the house at night or else you might to dousing them with tomato juice to get rid of the odor. Skunks can be a carrier of rabies, so never come in contact with them with bare hands, i.e. petting them, even the “adorable” babies. If you do keep your dogs and cats outdoor, be sure their rabies vaccinations are current.
If you don’t want to make your yard and home “inviting” to skunks, keep your yard clear of possible dens such as hollow logs and piles of wood, rock or brush. Block access points under your house (first make absolutely certain that the skunks are not already inside). Don’t use a 2-way pet door. Don’t “set the table” for them: Besides removing pet food, keep compost heaps and garbage cans securely covered and pick up fallen tree fruit. Sweep up bird seed underneath the feeders.
However, if you live in a rural or semi-rural area, skunks can be a wonderful benefit to you. They are omnivores, eating such pests as grubs, insects and mice. And they’re fun to watch in the wild … as long as you keep your distance.
Part of the reason that skunks and other wildlife appear to be “invading” suburban yards is that they’re just trying to survive in the harsh summer drought, when water and natural foods are scarce. Yards have pools to drink from, fruit-laden trees, vegetable gardens and ready-to-eat pet food.