Ford’s Pest of the Month: Skunks – Eaters of Grubs

Skunks are important to the balance of nature. Skunks are a member of the weasel family and have pointed noses and short legs, which make them waddle when they walk.

Skunks eat all rodents; black widow spiders, rattlesnakes, scorpions; and garden pests such as snails, crickets, gophers, grubs; cockroaches and pretty much all other insects. Skunks have strong feet with long nails that are useful in the search for grubs and insects. They will dig under sheds, porches and crawlspaces to create a den or use a woodpile. The female will have around five babies (kits) in a litter. Since they are nocturnal, skunks are rarely seen but often smelled during the warmer weather when they are out foraging for food. Many times dogs will challenge skunks and get sprayed. Skunks can spray accurately up to 15 feet but will give plenty of warning to stay away by fluffing its fur and stamping the ground along with growling.

When skunks are making repeated visits to your property it is usually due to a food source close by. Bird feeders, grubs and trash draw skunks and allow them to associate your property with food. Skunks love pet food and it is often used when our wildlife control specialist traps for skunks so you should never leave pet food outdoors.

Are you beeing bugged? Contact us at FORDSHOMETOWN.COM

Geoffrey Ford, Vice President
Ford’s Hometown Services