Because Tri-Citians live on a shrub steppe desert and most somewhat near the Snake, Columbia, or Yakima rivers, skunks sometimes decide to move in with homeowners. These two animals have enjoyed the peaceful surroundings of the Tri-Cities, but can certainly be an annoyance when they have not been invited to cohabitate!
The species of skunk in the Tri-Cities area is called the Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis. As it runs across a field or the road, it might be mistaken for a black cat, as its size is similar. Because the skunk’s defense system is one very unpleasant experience for humans and animals (the pungent spray odor), it is fortunate that the animal will not normally spray unless provoked in some fashion.
Skunks are not always considered a nuisance to all. They help farmers and gardeners because they feed on garden and agricultural pests and the landowners don’t often encounter the skunks because they are mostly nocturnal. These little animals prefer open fields, pastures, and rock outcroppings. However, in the Tri-Cities these fluffy critters search for food in our neighborhoods. Most often when skunks decide to live in a neighborhood, they reside under porches and sheds and their odor can be smelled when we step outside…a most undesirable situation.
As we enter late spring, the female skunks will be having babies in the dens they have created under porches, houses, in hollowed-out tree stumps, or any underground nest they have built. They breed in the spring through March and have their babies in May. They normally have four to six young and after two months, the mothers move the babies out of the den. So, you will see but hopefully not smell the entire families during the early summer months.
Many ask, “What can I do to deter skunks from moving in with my family”? The best solution is to change the habitat of the yard. First, do not feed them! They lose their fear of humans when they are fed; keeping dog and cat food inside will help. Bird feeding stations also need to be cleaned regularly, as the seeds that fall on the ground are easy pickings for skunks. Additionally, skunks love to dig for grubs, so overwatering lawns can keep the skunks coming for more!
Because skunks that build a den under sheds or other structures generally move on after a few nights, it’s not necessary to remove them. However, if they seem to be lingering more permanently and are causing you or your pets a problem, there are ways to discourage them from staying. Skunks don’t like certain smells (a bit ironic) such as ammonia and vinegar. A bowl placed near the entrance to the den is an annoyance to the animal. They also don’t like blaring lights or noises, so products that flash at night can be purchased and placed near the entrances to the dens.
Of course, there are services that trap and remove skunks. That should be the last resort because the services are expensive and if the habitat of your property is not altered, more skunks will arrive. If their presence is a true nuisance, there are ways to block the skunks from burrowing under your structures.
Living in the Tri-Cities is living near all that the natural desert brings, including skunks. Hopefully neither you nor your dogs have had the close-up experience of being sprayed by a skunk. The trick is to give these nocturnal friends plenty of space and respect and they will likely move on within a few days and share their presence with the next neighbor.