General Facts
Skunks are members of the weasel family, there are four species of skunks in North America: striped, hooded, spotted and hog-nosed.
The most common are striped skunks, measuring 20 to 30 inches long (including the tail) and weigh approximately 6 to 10 pounds with two wide stripes on the back that meet on the head. Nocturnal by nature, skunks have a litter of 1-7 young in late April through early June. Skunks found in El Dorado Hills are striped skunks.
Skunks are slow-moving animals but have strong forefeet and long nails which make them excellent diggers.
Skunks will ususally only attack when cornered or defending their young. Spraying is not the first method of defense. Skunks will growl, spit, fluff their fur, shake their tail, and stamp the ground. If the intruder does not leave, they will lift their tail and spray their famous skunk odor.
The spray is a sulfur compound that has a range of up to 15 feet. The glands that hold the spray hold enough for 5-6 sprays. El Dorado Hills skunk control can be tricky since you want to avoid getting sprayed.
Habitat
Skunks are found throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. Skunks like warm dry, dark defensible locations. They have adapted to building dens in decks, trash dumps and woodpiles. When foraging for food, skunks will often travel 5-10 miles.
Diet
Skunks are omnivorous. Their diet typically consists of beetles, larvae and earthworms. Skunks are also know to eat field mice, small rodents, lizards, garbage, eggs, and fallen fruit.
Problems arise with skunks when they determine that your El Dorado Hills yard is the best place for their den and that your garbage cans hold a delicious and accessible smorgasbord!
Identify Skunk Damage
Skunks provide more of a benefit than people think. They eat many pest insects that cause damage to your lawn and garden. Problems arise when they make homes in and around your garden and spray causing the very irritating skunk odor.
Skunk Odor
Skunk odor is very unique and easy to identify. Yet, skunk odor is not always an indicator of skunk presence. Sometimes other animals within the area may have been sprayed and the skunk odor is lingering.
Skunk Digging
Skunks become a nuisance when their burrowing and feeding habits cause problems for humans.
They may burrow under porches or buildings by entering foundation openings. Skunks dig holes in lawns, golf courses and gardens searching for grubs found in the soil.
Skunk holes appear as small cone-shaped holes or patches of up-turned earth 3 to 4 inches in diameter.
Skunk Droppings
Skunk droppings usually have undigested insect parts and are 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter and 1 to 2 inches long.
