SKUNKS      

IDENTIFICATION:  Skunks are extremely easy to recognize with their prominent white stripe extending from their head to the shoulders and then splitting into 1 or 2 white stripes running down their back.  There is a small narrow white stripe that extends from the top of the nose to the forehead and some white hairs in its long bushy tail with the rest of the hair being black.  Skunks are part of the weasel family having short stocky legs.  Adult skunks are the same size as house cats growing to about 20-30 inches and weighing 3-12 pounds.  

BEHAVIOR:  Skunks are found throughout Illinois.  They are a slow moving, nocturnal animal covering a range of ½ to 1½ miles during their nightly foraging.  During breeding season males can travel 4 to 5 miles.  They are omnivorous (eating both plant and animal foods) and will feed on almost any food they come in contact with including seed from bird feeders, vegetables from gardens, fruit growing on trees, grubs or worms in lawn, or food accessible in garbage cans.  Skunks have the ability to discharge musk from their anal glands up to 20 feet or are capable of several smaller discharges.  T&C Trapping Inc. offers complete disinfecting and odor removal services.  Skunks do not hibernate during the winter months but can become dormant during extremely cold weather.  Their typical life span is about 10 years.

DAMAGE CONCERNS:  One of the most destructive actions of a skunk (other than biting or spraying) is caused when they dig through lawns looking for grubs (the immature life stage of beetles), worms, or other insect.  These diggings normally appear as small 2 to 4 inch holes or patches of pulled up grass (raccoons may also cause this problem).  Skunks can dig dozens of holes in the course of the night and will continue to return looking for a food source. 

The most common dens for skunks are under cement stairs or foundations, although sheds, decks, and other structures are also suitable living areas. We highly urge a complete home inspection for recommendations to prevent unwanted animals from taking up residence in your home or business.  Please see PREVENTION for animal exclusion tips. 

REPRODUCTION:  As with most Midwestern wildlife the breeding season for skunks starts in February.  Females born the previous year mate in late March.  Babies are born May through July after a 7 to 10 week gestation period.  The average number of young is 4 to 10 with the offspring staying with their mother until the fall season.  There have been some cases where skunks have had as many as 16 babies.  Baby skunks start nearing adult size by their tenth month. 

DISEASES:  Skunks carry a number of diseases that can be harmful or transmitted to people, pets, or other animals.  Skunks are the #2 carrier of Rabies accounting for more than 29% of reported cases.  Transmission of rabies begins when the infected saliva of a skunk is passed to an uninfected person or animal.  The most common mode of rabies transmission is through bites or scratches that contain saliva that is infected.  Rabies infection in humans can cause death. 

LEPTOSPIROSIS is a bacterial disease that can infect all mammals, including humans. Humans become infected with this disease by coming in contact with infected animal urine through water, soil, or food.  Swimming in water infected with this bacterium can cause infection through skin contact, especially through eyes, nose, or broken skin.  Touching infected areas such as soil or food can also cause an infection.  Death, jaundice, and kidney or liver failure can occur with human infection although flu-like symptoms are most common.

DISTEMPER can be carried and spread to other animals (especially dogs) by skunks. Distemper does not affect humans. The disease is spread when uninfected animals come in contact with urine of an infected animal.  Dogs can be vaccinated to prevent this infection.

Please remember that all wildlife in the State of Illinois is owned by the state unless the animal migrates. If a wild animal migrates it is owned by the federal government. A license is required to trap or remove wildlife. If not using a licensed professional, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources should be contacted before personally attempting to deal with any wildlife.

T&C Trapping, Inc. offers complete home and business inspections that are guaranteed to help minimize any future animal problems or to help solve any existing wildlife conflicts. We have 16 years experience in installing animal prevention devices, trapping nuisance wildlife, and repairing homes due to animal damage.  Please feel free to contact us anytime for advice, instructions, or estimates.

815-467-4039

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