Skunks are on the loose in Santa Clarita… what can you do about these odorous pests?

Now that my dogs have been skunked twice in the last week, both times in my back yard, I realize that I’m likely not the only Santa Clarita resident dealing with late-night doggy-showers and skunk smell.

What can you do if there’s a skunk in your yard? Unfortunately, a call to Animal Control will not provide much help. They want you to buy a trap at a local feed store, catch the skunk, and then call them to pick it up.

The best way to keep skunks out of your neighborhood is to remove food, water and shelter that may encourage skunks to take up residence in your yard. That means no food left out overnight for your pets or wild animals (store food in animal-proof containers), close the lids on trash cans, pick up fallen fruit from trees, and secure all pet doors. One of the best hiding places for skunks is under low backyard decks, which can be protected from skunks by installing 1/4 inch screening.

Not that skunks are all bad… they do help control rodents and insects in your yard, so as long as you don’t have dogs to get them upset, they’ll probably leave you alone. They’re nocturnal animals, so they’ll most likely be doing their rodent and insect control while you’re asleep.

Trouble is, I have dogs who are overprotective and apparently very slow learners. No sooner do I get them bathed and partially de-skunked, and they’re ready to run out in the yard to hunt it down again. They don’t even need to get that close… skunks are supposed to be able to spray with accuracy for up to 10 feet!

Other than stinking up curious pets, skunks can cause damage to your garden and are also some of the most common carriers of rabies. According to Animal Care and Control, rabies is preventable in man and domestic animals through routine vaccination but is not curable after the onset of symptoms. In addition to rabies, skunks can carry leptospirosis, listeriosis, canine distemper, canine hepatitis, Q-fever, tularemia, and trypanosoma. They are also heavily infested with ticks, fleas, and mites which are known carriers and transmitters of disease.

OK… so maybe I should go get that skunk trap now…

If you do decide to trap a pesky skunk, the best baits to use are raw whole egg, peanut butter, sardines, raw chicken parts, or pet food. You can use 10×12x32 inch cage traps that you buy at a local feed store, or make your own. If you make your own trap, be sure to cover the top, bottom, and sides of the trap with heavy cardboard or 1/4 inch plywood to keep the person removing the trap from getting sprayed. You can call Animal Control at (661) 257-3191 to remove the trapped skunk.

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