Skunks venture into backyards in their search for shelter and food. Skunks have a varied diet and feast on insects, snakes, and small rodents when they’re available. At times of the year when food is harder to find, such as winter, skunks go into yards and dig through trash cans in search of something to eat. These are some of the most common foods skunks are drawn to.
Pet Food
If you feed your dog or cat outdoors, give it time to eat before sunset, then bring any leftover food inside. Skunks are nocturnal animals. If you leave pet food outside when skunks are out, they’ll be drawn to your yard. You won’t just have to worry about them eating your pet’s food. Your pet may get into a confrontation with a skunk and get sprayed.
Fruit
Skunks also enjoy eating fruit. If you throw away fruit or parts of fruit, skunks will be drawn to it. If they can get access to trash bags, they’ll dig through them and leave refuse scattered in your yard.
Bird Seed
If you enjoy watching birds gather around a feeder in your yard, you may also get an unwelcome visit from a hungry skunk. A baffle on the bird feeder pole can keep skunks away from the seed.
Prevent a Skunk Problem & Get Professional Help in CT
When dealing with skunks and other forms of wildlife, taking some simple precautions can often prevent a major problem. Bringing in pet food, covering and securing trash cans, and making birdseed inaccessible can make your yard unattractive to skunks. If they can’t find the food they’re looking for, they’ll move on and look for it somewhere else.
If you’ve already got one or more skunks that have moved into your yard, you’ll need help to get rid of them. Don’t try to catch, handle, or chase away a skunk yourself. The animals are known for their spray that carries an unpleasant odor that’s difficult to remove. You can get sprayed, and you may also get scratched or bitten.
Contact Anderson Wildlife Control to get help dealing with a skunk at your home in Connecticut. We have a team of professionals who know how to safely and humanely handle a variety of wild animals. We will work to trap a skunk and remove it from your yard without causing any harm to the animal. Contact us today to learn more about our skunk removal services.
