Striped Skunk
The Striped Skunk is a nocturnal, solitary mammalian breed commonly found in Illinois - both in rural and urban areas.
They are protected as “furbearers” under the Illinois Wildlife Code (520 ILCS 5/2.2) and require an animal removal permit authorized by an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist in urban areas and/or a hunting or trapping license in rural areas.
Weather conditions, such as mild winters, can contribute to an increase in skunk population. Additionally, an absence of disease in the skunk population can affect its numbers.
Habitat
Skunks are very adaptable and often make their dens along:
- Cemeteries
- Forested and Brushy Areas
- Golf Courses
- Lawns
- Open, Grassy Fields
- Railroads or High Tension Power Lines
They are also known to reside in:
- Caves
- Dry Drainage Tiles
- Junk Piles
- Old Buildings
- Rock Piles
- Sheds
- Storm Sewers
- Stumps
- Wood Piles
Their territory typically extends 1- 1 ½ miles in diameter from their den. Skunks do not hibernate, but their range does decrease during the winter months.
Skunk Benefits
Skunks play several beneficial roles in our ecosystem, and their presence can contribute positively to local biodiversity and environmental health. Here’s a detailed look at the benefits of skunks and their specific importance to areas like Westchester with its surrounding green spaces:
- Pest Control: Skunks are natural pest controllers. They feed on a variety of garden pests and insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and larvae, helping to keep these populations in check. This can be particularly beneficial for maintaining the health of gardens and parks in Westchester and its surrounding areas.
- Prevention of Rodent Overpopulation: By preying on small mammals like mice and voles, skunks help prevent these populations from becoming overwhelming.
- Seed Dispersal: Skunks contribute to the health of forests and green spaces by dispersing seeds through their droppings. As they move about, they consume fruits and inadvertently carry seeds away from the parent plant, aiding in plant diversity and forest regeneration. This is crucial for the sustainability of the natural areas around Westchester.
- Soil Aeration: The digging habits of skunks, while sometimes a nuisance in lawns, actually help aerate the soil. This improves soil drainage and nutrient mixing, which can enhance the health of vegetation in parks and natural reserves around the village.
- Ecological Balance: Skunks are a part of the local food web, serving as both predator and prey. They help maintain ecological balance by controlling lower-level prey populations and providing food for predators such as owls, coyotes, and larger birds of prey. This balance is vital for the health of ecosystems in and around Westchester’s green spaces.
How to Manage Skunks
Trapping is not an effective way of managing skunks. Removing all skunks from a neighborhood, village, or county is not only impractical but would greatly affect, and potentially harm, the ecosystem. Such actions would disrupt local wildlife balance and lead to a surge of insects as well as an increase of other small mammals.
- Control the grubs and insects in your lawn. You might notice small holes in your grass; these could be from skunks searching for grubs. To manage this, consider environmentally safe pesticides available at home improvement stores. These typically come in pellet form and can be spread like fertilizer. If you use a landscaping service, request that they apply these animal-friendly pesticides. Encouraging your neighbors to do the same can enhance community-wide benefits.
- Keep other food sources out of their reach. Keep skunks away by tidying up outdoor eating areas and securing garbage cans. Fence your vegetable gardens and collect fallen fruit or acorns. Additionally, limit and maintain bird feeders as spilled seeds attract skunks.
- Identify and close up possible dens around your house. Skunks can make homes in various small spaces such as wood piles, under decks, or behind bushes. Seal potential entry points to prevent skunks from setting up residence. For gaps under decks, consider countersinking boards at least 6 inches below ground to deter digging.
- Use repellants safely:
- Cayenne pepper - Sprinkle cayenne pepper liberally around plants, fruit trees, and garbage areas. This natural repellent discourages skunks without harming them or your pets, and it's easily available at grocery stores.
- Motion-Activated Devices: Installing motion-activated floodlights can effectively deter skunks as they do not like light. These devices are triggered by movement, helping to keep skunks away without the need for harmful chemicals.
- Commercial Repellant - Consider using commercial wildlife repellents that are specifically designed to be safe and effective against skunks. These products are usually non-toxic and pose minimal risk to pets and humans.
- When you walk at night, keep a flashlight with a strobe and keys with you. Carry a flashlight with a strobe function and a set of jingling keys to deter skunks when walking at night. Apps that mimic strobe lights or emit siren or hawk screeching sounds can also be useful.
- Don't let your dog go after skunks. Keep your dog on a short leash during walks to avoid confrontations with skunks, which are more likely to spray animals than humans.
- If you do get up close with one, back away slowly. Do not panic. Stay calm and back away slowly if you encounter a skunk. They typically spray only when threatened and cannot escape, showing signs of distress by growling, stomping, and raising their tail. Skunks do not want confrontation and do not want to spray you. They will spray only when they are threatened and cannot retreat in time or if they are defending their young. When they have time to warn you, they will get low to the ground, growl, stomp their paws and raise their tail. If you don’t back off, they will turn around to spray. Their spray can go up to 15 feet, so put a lot of distance between you and them.
- Residents are not permitted to trap and/or kill skunks without a license. It is illegal to trap or kill skunks without a proper license, as per state law (520 ILCS 5). Additionally, using firearms or projectile weapons like BB guns, airsoft pistols, or bows and arrows is prohibited. These actions can endanger public safety and violate wildlife conservation laws. The use of poisons is also discouraged due to their indiscriminate nature, which can harm pets, other wildlife, and even children.
- Residents are not encouraged to put out food or otherwise harbor skunks. Residents are advised against feeding or otherwise harboring skunks. Under State law (510 ILCS 5/2.16), an animal "owner" is defined as any person who has a right of property in an animal, keeps or harbors an animal, has it in their care, or acts as its custodian. Encouraging the presence of skunks by providing food or shelter can inadvertently lead to legal responsibilities as defined by this statute.
Dealing with Skunk Odor
If a skunk has sprayed your pet or any surfaces, you may find that tomato juice is less effective than commonly believed. Instead, use this proven mixture:
- 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap (such as Dawn)
Instructions:
- Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.
- Mix the ingredients outdoors, if possible, to avoid bringing skunk odor inside your home.
- Apply the mixture immediately to the affected area; do not store it as it releases oxygen gas that can cause containers to burst!
- Leave it on for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Repeat if the odor persists.
Additional Tips:
- Safety Note: The hydrogen peroxide mixture can bleach fur and hair, so use with caution on pets and colored fabrics.
- For Fabrics: Clothes or fabrics that were directly sprayed by a skunk may need to be discarded. For fabrics that have absorbed the odor indirectly, washing them with a solution of one cup of liquid laundry bleach per gallon of water can help, but be aware this may bleach colors.
Public Health Concerns Regarding Skunks
If you observe skunks displaying behavior that may indicate rabies, immediately contact the Cook County Animal Control Office at 708-974-6140 or visit their website. Signs of rabies in skunks include:
- Loss of fear of people
- Uncoordinated movements
- Seizures
Prompt reporting of such behaviors helps manage potential health risks effectively.