The war has begun - and the skunks are winning!

[Trisseh]

Gahhh! Anyone else dealing with nuisance skunks in excess this year? I mean, I’ve always had them moseying through the yard, but it’s become ridiculous this fall. Between them and the chipmunks... grr.

I have pens made of pallets with mesh to keep the chickens in, and 2 or 3 strands of electric on the outside to deter preds. I’ve had coyotes checking it out, barn cats, neighbours dogs, etc with no issues. But then the chipmunk came and made a tunnel under the duck house. Caught that thing and filled in his holes. Then came a skunk who decided to take advantage and somehow squeezed its fat body under the nestbox, under the duck house, and into the pen. Made a big mess of the feeder which has been out there the entire past 2 years with no issue. So hot wire around the bottom of the duck house, hardware cloth, the whole shebang. Trapped and relocated the skunk on a remote bush road. Last night, 2 more came avisiting and were trying their darnedest to get in that newly covered hole. The one was brazen enough to run right up to me, within about 4 feet and I clocked him in the head with a frozen chunk of something. It took off. Then I come out this morning to find yet another hole dug under a different section of fence, with more excavation along other spots. I dropped the hot wire lower and put a 2x4 across in the hole but seriously! All food has been removed and the birds are all locked away for the night. There’s a giant delicious compost pile about 20 feet away. Stay out of my “&-“@-$); pens!

I’m debating on whether or not I want to pen my dog in there overnight a couple of nights. She sleeps in a pen on the opposite side of the house so I’m wondering if that may help deter them. There’s no excavating anywhere near her pen.

I was looking to place a hardware cloth apron but I can’t source any around here atm. Building supplies are like gold and it’s extremely frustrating. I used my last scrap piece under the nest box and now I’m not sure what to do.
I was also exploring the idea of a scat mat, placed in front of the places they try to go. I’ve already baited the hot wire in weaker areas and that has worked well.

I’m just so frustrated that they’re so persistent. And it not just my place, everyone around my area has been battling them. We’ve relocated 5 already from my workplace and the neighbour has dispatched at least that many. Aside from these ones, you can’t drive down a road without passing at least one roadkill skunk.

Any other ideas to discourage them? I’m more concerned that because they got food here once, they’re going to keep trying.

These are the workplace visitors that are still around. I live and work in an ag area so of course there’s lots to draw these critters.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Gahhh! Anyone else dealing with nuisance skunks in excess this year? I mean, I’ve always had them moseying through the yard, but it’s become ridiculous this fall. Between them and the chipmunks... grr.

I have pens made of pallets with mesh to keep the chickens in, and 2 or 3 strands of electric on the outside to deter preds. I’ve had coyotes checking it out, barn cats, neighbours dogs, etc with no issues. But then the chipmunk came and made a tunnel under the duck house. Caught that thing and filled in his holes. Then came a skunk who decided to take advantage and somehow squeezed its fat body under the nestbox, under the duck house, and into the pen. Made a big mess of the feeder which has been out there the entire past 2 years with no issue. So hot wire around the bottom of the duck house, hardware cloth, the whole shebang. Trapped and relocated the skunk on a remote bush road. Last night, 2 more came avisiting and were trying their darnedest to get in that newly covered hole. The one was brazen enough to run right up to me, within about 4 feet and I clocked him in the head with a frozen chunk of something. It took off. Then I come out this morning to find yet another hole dug under a different section of fence, with more excavation along other spots. I dropped the hot wire lower and put a 2x4 across in the hole but seriously! All food has been removed and the birds are all locked away for the night. There’s a giant delicious compost pile about 20 feet away. Stay out of my “&-“@-$); pens!

I’m debating on whether or not I want to pen my dog in there overnight a couple of nights. She sleeps in a pen on the opposite side of the house so I’m wondering if that may help deter them. There’s no excavating anywhere near her pen.

I was looking to place a hardware cloth apron but I can’t source any around here atm. Building supplies are like gold and it’s extremely frustrating. I used my last scrap piece under the nest box and now I’m not sure what to do.
I was also exploring the idea of a scat mat, placed in front of the places they try to go. I’ve already baited the hot wire in weaker areas and that has worked well.

I’m just so frustrated that they’re so persistent. And it not just my place, everyone around my area has been battling them. We’ve relocated 5 already from my workplace and the neighbour has dispatched at least that many. Aside from these ones, you can’t drive down a road without passing at least one roadkill skunk.

Any other ideas to discourage them? I’m more concerned that because they got food here once, they’re going to keep trying.

These are the workplace visitors that are still around. I live and work in an ag area so of course there’s lots to draw these critters.View attachment 2378908

Sometimes it seems the population just goes in cycles. Every few years there’s a bunch of them. They normally don’t cause a lot of problems aside from tearing up the ground and eating feed. I’ve chased off tons of them over the years but I finally just started shooting them because I’ve walked up on them and darn near got sprayed. Their eyesight is horrible. Unfortunately killing them is the best solution.

 

[roosterhavoc]

I have a ton of grubs in my weed patch of a yard so that’s why I have a bunch. They root around digging for them constantly.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

We’ve relocated 5 already from my workplace and the neighbour has dispatched at least that many.

Relocating is illegal in most instances.. in addition to often being inhumane..

If you have birds.. all food has NOT been removed.. skunks like chicken dinner.

Your neighbor is doing the right thing.. You shouldn't trap unless you're prepared to dispatch.

Hardware cloth is very effective against this size predator.

You just haven't noticed the wildlife feeding on the feeder for the past two years.. is why it wasn't a problem..

To discourage them.. maybe find their den.. and eliminate it.

Best wishes, securing things!

 

[Trisseh]

Thanks @EggSighted4Life I get where you’re coming from. I’m not a proponent for catching and releasing in general; this individual was spared death only because I didn’t have a gun available and it’s less humane for it to sit in a trap for an extended length of time. I know of neighbours that drown them but that’s not acceptable (in my opinion anyways).

When I say 5 relocated from work, it just means relocated up the mountain which is at the back of the property. Which is also owned by the business. Should have stated that, sorry. (They may have been shot by neighbours later, who knows.) The bush road that the one from my place went wasn’t all that far from home either, just up behind the residential area but on an unused bush road that most people use to get to hunting grounds. It’s legal here as long as it’s within 1km from where it’s trapped. I try my best to do research before doing anything because every location has different rules. Sure they might come back from that close, but hopefully will have an aversion to going back to the place they got stuck. Lol.

Yep, in any other situation I would agree with you that they’ve been sampling the goods before now, but I’m positive nothing of any consequence has been in that pen in the last 2 years other than my birds (and the chipmunks of course). I have a camera system set up to watch for comings and going’s. Not a game cam, a security cam system with motion alerts. I knew I had critters coming even before I saw them this fall because of the number of alerts and the amount of food that was suddenly disappearing, in addition to the damage done around the pen. Wildlife that keeps its business out of mine is no problem. I have a groundhog living under my woodpile thats been coexisting peacefully for years with no issues.

they do seem far less interested in the ducks than the chickens so maybe that’s where the difference is this year. The chickens are new this spring.

@roosterhavoc for sure! I don’t mind skunks in the yard, digging up grubs and doing those kinds of skunky things. Have at the compost pile! I do mind skunks digging into areas they have no business being. And I’d really prefer not to be sprayed... All my birds are put away at night so they’re safe, but it’s frustrating to be dealing with this influx. It seems like every litter I’ve seen this year has had at least 4 and they’ve all survived, whereas most years there might be 1 or 2 left.

the biggest problem with finding and eliminating dens is that I live on an ollllld farm. Literally the entire property is a skunk’s paradise. And I’d hate to damage a den of someone who isn’t the problem animal... Still finding piles of random things in bizarre places. Which again is why I’m so irritated that they’re coming around so close to the house - they have plenty of other places to go hang out.

Any alternatives to HC that might be more accessible? I guess it wouldn’t need to be 1/2” to keep the skunks out like for weasels or mink, so maybe woven fencing or something similar? Thoughts?

 

[Rldad1]

I think you might get by with an apron of 1" X 2" or 1" X 1" field wire. HC is the best but sometimes we have to do what is necessary.

 

[Folly's place]

Your trapped skunks are returning, they haven't been eliminated. My feeling is, only trap if you will then shoot. Drowning is not humane, shooting, done properly, is.
Here we have rabies to worry about, and any skunks who are that bold will be shot. They do love chicken dinners, and tunnels will invite weasels, rats, or who knows, never good.
Mary

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Any alternatives to HC that might be more accessible? I guess it wouldn’t need to be 1/2” to keep the skunks out like for weasels or mink, so maybe woven fencing or something similar? Thoughts?

If I was using chicken wire.. I would consider doubling up on it.. with it folded so the holes are ultimately smaller. Or maybe the opposite and double them up so the hole is the same size but the wire is thicker??

I've also used 1/4 inch hardware cloth but it's smaller gauge wire. Amazon is more affordable than home depot..

Being on an old farm.. I would find SOMETHING to reuse.. Yes I also think larger woven or welded wire fencing would be a better choice than nothing.

And yes, I agree with you.. according to the information I have read.. drowning is not a humane death. I know we are all pretty much doing our personal best.. but thanks for sharing a little more information.. not that it's truly any of my business.. but for comradery and understanding.

If there's a glut of extra animals.. the weather must have been good to support their natural feed source and allow for more broods to be raised this season.. Chance are there may be more of their predators coming up too.. I know hawks have been off the hook with their presence HERE this year compared to usual.. So maybe there are more bugs and such as well.. I remember last year.. folks were losing birds to some sort of flying insect essentially suffocating them.. glad I haven't seen that this year.

 

[Cee]

I found no hardware cloth at my local Homedepot, Lowes, Tractor, True Value, and local feed stores. Everybody was out. I was told it goes quick and a lot of it is on back order.
I tried Amazon just for the heck of it and they had some! It even came early.

 

[Rldad1]

I found no hardware cloth at my local Homedepot, Lowes, Tractor, True Value, and local feed stores. Everybody was out. I was told it goes quick and a lot of it is on back order.
I tried Amazon just for the heck of it and they had some! It even came early.

I ordered my from Lowes online. Couldn't get it at the store.