The past couple of weeks there's been a large mostly white skunk seen wandering around our neighborhood in broad daylight. That's rather unusual since skunks are nocturnal mammals. So far the skunk has managed to avoid capture or termination. But it's a reminder that any mammal that exhibits unusual behavior should be avoided and observed for signs of sickness ... especially rabies.
According to the State Dept. of Health Rabies Laboratory, since the beginning of this year, 5,443 mammals have been tested in the state for rabies with just 273 of them testing positive for the disease. Bats were the number one species tested (2,322) with 56 testing positive. Raccoons were the second most common species with 1,302 tested and 164 proving to be rabid. Cats were third with 758 and 12 testing positive. Skunks tested consisted of 150 total with 22 being rabid. So far, 42 mammals from Chenango County have been examined with just two testing positive for rabies. Want to guess what species those two were? You got it – skunks. That 15 percent of all skunks submitted for testing statewide proved to be rabid – and that's the highest percentage of any species tested – is a warning beyond the usual smelly reason to steer clear of any skunks you may encounter. According to the DEC: "Skunks are vulnerable to a variety of internal and external parasites. They also can get and spread rabies and other wildlife diseases. Skunks have been the most commonly confirmed rabies species, other than raccoons, during the spread of raccoon rabies throughout Southern New York. One of the most common skunk complaints, a strong odor of skunk essence during the nights of early fall, often is the result of inadequate home main tenance and of allowing dogs to roam free at night. This happens in early fall because skunks search for cubby holes to spend the winter. Damaged building foundations and spaces underneath porches and decks serve this purpose well.
"Pelts of the striped skunk once were more valuable than they are in the current fur market. A strong market for fur-trimmed cloth coats developed in the late 1930s as our country recovered from the Great Depression. Striped skunk is ideally suited for this purpose because the white hairs of the pelt become a uniform, glossy black when dyed. Skunk pelt prices may have doubled from about 1939 through the early 1940s, but they were never as valuable as red fox. Although a market still exists, it is not as vigorous as it once was."
Note: In this writer's opinion, this is an understatement, as I know of no one who intentionally traps skunks for their pelts these days. In fact, trapping in general has declined immensely in recent years. In 1993, the latest figure I could locate, there were only 11,513 trapping licenses sold to New York residents. Today the DEC says there are between 5,000-10,000 trappers in New York, depending on the year and fur market conditions. Throw in the high price of gas, and I'd guess the number is running closer to the lowest now. Since trapping was historically the most effective method in controlling the skunk population, is it any wonder we're being inundated with the striped critters now. The bulk of mortality on skunks now occurs on highways.
Another problem I increasingly am seeing is very little attention often is given by officials to calls from rural areas that report a skunk that's moving around in broad daylight or acting strangely. The easiest out is to refer the caller to independent licensed animal control people who, for a fee, will come and remove the animal. In the case of potential rabies, this is further impacted by the not-so-modest cost of preparing and sending a carcass (in the case of bats) or brain tissue (larger mammals) to the state laboratory for rabies testing.
Skunks are especially attracted to older buildings or mobile homes that offer shelter under their foundations or areas with litter or junk piles. Landscaped, mowed areas such as lawns and parks that contain high densities of grubs are attractive as foraging areas. Pet foods that are left outdoors and accessible are another.
The best control for problems with skunks is to remove as many attractions as possible. This includes:removing litter and junk piles, storing garbage in tightly sealed cans, cleaning up outside pet foods, sealing foundation openings, and controlling grubs in lawns. When sealing foundations, ideally installing fencing that extends 1 to 2 feet below ground will prevent skunks from digging beneath and denning under buildings. Not a minor project, but worthwhile if you have skunks habitually denning under a building, porch or low deck.
If a skunk is found living under a building, it may be encouraged to leave by placing generous amounts of mothballs in cloth bags, or ammonia-soaked cloths well under the building. Attach the bags or cloths to a string so they can be removed later. To determine if the animal has left, sprinkle a layer of flour at the entrance to make the direction of the tracks visible. Because skunks are nocturnal, check the area for tracks a few hours after dark. Once the animal is gone, seal the entrance to prevent further intrusions.
I found this hint and technically it appears it should work, although, thankfully, I haven't needed to try it.. If there is doubt regarding how many skunks are under the building, use a one-way, 1/4-inch hardware cloth screen door at the entrance. The door, hinged at the top, should extend beyond the entrance and then outward at the base at a right angle for about 6 inches. This design enables skunks to push their way out, but their body weight when standing on the door prevents them from re-entering.
Give every skunk encountered a wide birth, but if you encounter one during the day, be especially cautious because it may be carrying something far more unpleasant that a terrible smell.