Skunks are classified as opportunistic omnivores, meaning their diet is diverse and adaptable to available food sources. While they certainly scavenge, particularly in environments shared with humans, this behavior does not represent their sole or even primary method of obtaining sustenance. Their ability to consume a wide variety of foods allows them to thrive in many different habitats.
What Skunks Primarily Eat
Skunks maintain a varied diet that shifts with the seasons and food availability. In warmer months, insects form a significant portion of their diet, including grubs, beetles, crickets, and larvae. They actively hunt small mammals such as mice, voles, shrews, chipmunks, and even small birds and their eggs. Amphibians like frogs and salamanders, along with small reptiles such as snakes and lizards, are also part of their natural prey. Beyond animal matter, skunks consume plant materials, including berries, fruits, nuts, seeds, roots, and fungi.
Skunks as Opportunistic Foragers
They frequently scavenge carrion, such as roadkill or animal carcasses left by other predators, particularly when other food is scarce. In suburban and urban areas, skunks commonly forage through discarded human food found in trash cans and compost piles, becoming adept at overturning bins to access contents. Leftover pet food left outdoors and fallen fruits from gardens also represent significant scavenged meals for them.
How Skunks Find Food
Skunks are primarily nocturnal, conducting most of their foraging activities under the cover of darkness. Despite their poor eyesight, they possess an exceptional sense of smell and keen hearing, which are crucial for locating food in low-light conditions. They use their powerful foreclaws to dig characteristic cone-shaped holes in lawns and gardens, unearthing grubs, worms, and other subterranean insects. Their strong digging ability also helps them access roots and small burrowing mammals. Skunks often establish dens in burrows, hollow logs, or under structures, which influences their foraging range as they typically remain within a few miles of their shelter.
Keeping Skunks Away From Your Property
Managing Food Sources
To discourage skunks from frequenting your property, managing potential food sources is effective. Secure all trash cans with tight-fitting lids, or consider using bungee cords or heavy-duty cans that are difficult for animals to open. Bringing pet food dishes indoors, especially overnight, eliminates an easily accessible meal. Promptly cleaning up fallen fruits from trees and gardens also removes an attractive food source.
Deterring Skunks and Securing Den Sites
Eliminating potential den sites can further deter skunks. Clear away brush piles, wood stacks, and other debris that offer shelter. Seal off access to crawl spaces, sheds, decks, and porches by installing sturdy fencing or mesh that extends at least one foot underground to prevent digging underneath. Motion-activated lights or sprinklers can startle nocturnal skunks, making them feel less secure on your property. Applying strong scents like citrus peels, ammonia-soaked rags, or cayenne pepper can deter skunks, as they dislike intense odors. Reducing grub populations in your lawn can also make your yard less appealing for foraging.