Skunks are opportunists at heart — they’re mainly attracted to low-hanging fruit like garbage and pet food left out at night, as well as convenient denning sites, such as wood and rock piles, elevated sheds, and openings under concrete slabs and porches and crawl spaces.

• Skunks become a nuisance when their burrowing and feeding habits conflict with humans.

• Skunks may burrow under porches or buildings by entering foundation openings.

• Garbage or refuse left outdoors may be disturbed by skunks.

• Skunks may damage beehives by attempting to feed on bees.

• Skunks dig holes in lawns, golf courses, and gardens to search for insect grubs found in the soil.

• Rabies may be carried by skunks on occasion. Avoid overly aggressive skunks that approach without hesitation. Any skunk showing abnormal behavior, such as daytime activity, may be rabid and should be treated with caution. Report suspicious behavior to local animal control authorities.

Yes!

• The skunk has short, stocky legs and proportionately large feet equipped with well-developed claws that enable it to be very adept at digging.

• The striped skunk is characterized by prominent, lateral white stripes that run down its back.

• The body of the striped skunk is about the size of an ordinary house cat up to 29 inches long and weighing about 8 pounds.

• Skunks have the ability to discharge nauseating musk from the anal glands and are capable of several discharges, not just one.

Wash your entire body with deodorant soap or a grease-cutting dish detergent. Wash your hair with a shampoo made for oily hair. 

You can also soak in a baking-soda bath for 15 to 20 minutes:

1. Pour 2 to 4 cups of baking soda into hot water.

2. Rinse to remove the residue from your skin