Dealing with skunks not a black-and-white issue

One of the strong suits about social media is the opportunity to access news and views.  And when you take into consideration everything happening in the world today, it’s hard not to check social media for information and commentary about a lot of things, such as:

Fair use image courtesy of Free-extras.com

               *   The presidential campaign.

·              *  Black Lives Matter.

·              *   The Olympics.

·              * Terrorism.

·              *  Economic Development.

·              *  Skunks.

Skunks?

It seems like the little black and white pests have preoccupied social media users.   I get it.  No one wants to encounter a creature that can turn you, your pet and possibly car or home into a less-than-pleasant environment.

There are a number of resources that provide information on how to deal with skunks including Humane  Society.

But some folks want the village to handle the skunk problem.  Seriously.

It’s likely that part of the skunk problem is the result of development of areas that forced animals out of their habitats.  It’s also possible that has resulted in the appearance of more deer, fox and coyotes.

I’m not sure what residents expect the village to do to eradicate skunks.   As noted by the Humane Society, deterring skunks can be as simple as not leaving bird seed lying around. Simple stuff.

However, it seems as though some people don’t get it – like a neighbor of mine who dismantled a fence and left the wood (see picture) lying along the side of his garage – for the past two years.  Not only is it unsightly, but animal control experts say it’s a welcome sign for rodents and other creatures – like skunks – to call home.

Scrap wood left to dry and rot is an invitation for animals.

I can imagine what would happen if some critters moved in – they’d call the village and say "who is me, I have a problem in my house -- fix it". 

      Village Manager Dane Bragg says the village does not have an animal control program for skunks. “Skunks are native to this area, so they are extremely difficult to “control” with any degree of success,” Bragg says.  He adds that “If individual property owners have a specific skunk problem, they can employ the services of a private trapper to remove the animal.”

As noted, preventive measures can help as well.  Bragg said residents can take proactive measures to decrease the appeal of their property to skunks by closing off any areas where skunks may burrow or hide and by applying grub control according to manufacturer instructions.  Grubs, he notes, are the primary protein in the skunk’s diet.

But yet if you read what cynics post on social media, you’d think their prevailing thought is if they live in the village, it’s the village’s responsibility.

You know the argument.  “I pay my taxes.”

Right.  Got it.

So does that mean you can drive a police car?

Now this really stinks....

The police reports include more than information about various police calls.  Recently, there seemed to be an increasing concern about critters in the village – and not those that attend Village Board meetings.

Here’s a sampling of problems and suggestions.

 

• It’s very true about the skunk problem in Strathmore between Arlington Heights Road and Ivy Hall School, and it’s been going on for a couple of years now. This year there seems to be three of them because the other night I saw two together and then a third one came along a couple of minutes later heading in the same direction as the other two (south between the houses on Aspen Drive and Penny Lane).

• Last year I saw a skunk digging around the base of a tree at night and also doing the same near a tree in our neighbor’s yard in the late afternoon around 5:00 pm. I think their source of food is the cicadas after the cicadas shed their shell, because I have found what’s left of the cicadas with their body gone but the wings and skull still in-tact. (Yes, gross!).  (By the way, skunks also like to dig for grubs….)

• Since everyone is complaining about the skunk problem in Strathmore, may I put in my 2 cents and talk about the chipmunk problem?  The chipmunks (who we've named Alvin, Simon and Theodore) made such a tunnel system under our brick porch that it buckled. We have holes all over the yard. We had to have the porch re-done and the sides were cemented and covered with decorative white stones. Well, the chipmunks got so upset that the kicked (or pushed) all the decorative stone away, but could not get back under the porch. Our backyard is being taken over by these (cute?) little monsters. We have used mothballs and poison peanuts, but they still love it at our house. Would anyone have a suggestion?(I had a similar problem.  All small trap baited with bird seed did the trick.  After a while Chip and Dale got the hint.  Check for bird seed and any open holes by a deck.)

• It’s very true about the skunk problem in Strathmore between Arlington Heights Road and Ivy Hall School, and it’s been going on for a couple of years now. This year there seems to be three of them because the other night I saw two together and then a third one came along a couple of minutes later heading in the same direction as the other two (south between the houses on Aspen Drive and Penny Lane).(Skunks seemed to dislike light.  Keep your lights on and that may detract them).

• Those d*&# skunks: We live in the same nuisance Skunk area of Strathmore in a ranch w/a porch. This is an ongoing problem alternating with Woodchucks + Chipmunks even after back filling the hole. Came home from 3 wk. vacation to find mama skunk + 5 adorable [ha ha ha] tiny babies parading across the porch from hole under porch [again]. We stuck a shop light in the hole, left it on for hours during day, used Fox Urine Granules then moth balls for good measure. Took 8-9 days -their holes cause undermining of cement which then causes cracks! They move elsewhere but obviously don't leave the area. This is an ongoing issue, even with preventative measures - may be due to our proximity to the creek or Forest Preserve. Animal removal guys are pricey + tell you there is no guarantee "your" skunks will be trapped [which makes sense] . We've smelled skunk every night for a couple weeks. As for Chipmunks- try a small rag soaked in Vanilla stuffed in hole. 

• The skunk problem is so widespread in Strathmore that one person hiring to trap them is not the fix. The suggestion for some type of group meeting with a firm is a good one as it is the only way to solve it is to work on the whole area. If who ever suggested it gets something going post it and lets see what we can do. They are a nuisance but I do think it is the cicadas which we seem to have year after year. It is hard to entertain on your patio/deck when your guests are watching skunks come closer and closer! 

• To the person with the chipmunk problem. Get a dog!! My dogs chase those little critters all over the place and now we have found that we have very few problems with them ! Now, if it were only that easy to get rid of the skunks!!!!!! 

• Great input on the skunk problems. I've got a slightly different question - I now have the cicadas burrowing under the edge of my patio, creating what I first thought were some monster ant hills alongside. Does anyone have any magic potions to stop them and get rid of the ones already there? (Leave the video of a Village Board meeting running…who knows what may scare them off.)