Bird feeders attract skunks to a yard, often indirectly. Skunks are nocturnal omnivores, and the area beneath a bird feeder provides an easy-to-access food source after dark. This attraction is fueled by spilled seeds and the secondary food sources that gather in the same location.
Why Bird Feeder Areas Appeal to Skunks
Skunks are opportunistic eaters, and the concentration of dropped bird seed on the ground acts as a powerful beacon for them. They readily consume fallen seeds, especially high-calorie choices like sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn. This easy access to grain provides necessary energy, particularly during colder months when their natural diet is less abundant.
Beyond the seeds, the feeder area attracts insects and small prey that skunks actively hunt. Skunks’ diets often consist of up to 40% insects, including grubs, beetles, and larvae. Spilled seed and moisture promote the presence of these ground-dwelling invertebrates, making the soil beneath the feeder a reliable hunting ground. The spilled food also attracts rodents like mice and rats, which are another natural food source for skunks.
Signs a Skunk is Visiting Your Yard
Since skunks are nocturnal and rarely seen during the day, identifying their presence requires looking for physical evidence. One clear sign is the appearance of small, cone-shaped holes or divots in the lawn or garden beds. These shallow holes, typically three to five inches across, result from the skunk digging for subsurface grubs and insects.
Another diagnostic sign is the presence of their droppings, which are dark, blunt-ended, and often resemble those of a house cat. The scat frequently contains undigested remnants of their diet, such as seed hulls, berry seeds, or insect exoskeletons. While the distinctive skunk odor is the most obvious sign, a persistent, faint scent near a deck, shed, or porch may indicate a den site rather than a recent defensive spray.
Reducing Skunk Visits Through Prevention
The most effective strategy for deterring skunks is eliminating the food sources that attracted them. A rigorous cleanup routine is necessary, focusing on removing all spilled seed from the ground every evening before dusk. Using a rake, broom, or shop vacuum to clear the area prevents skunks from finding an overnight meal.
Adjusting feeder hardware can minimize the amount of seed that reaches the ground, such as installing a seed-catching tray or baffle beneath the feeder. Another step is to bring all feeders inside a garage or secured shed each night, as skunks primarily forage after sunset. Switching to “no-waste” seed mixes, which contain ingredients like hulled sunflower seeds or white proso millet, reduces the debris birds typically discard.
All birdseed, suet, and outdoor pet food should be secured in airtight, heavy plastic, or metal containers with locking lids. Skunks are persistent scavengers, so loose bags or weak containers offer little resistance.
Addressing the secondary food source is also helpful; treating the lawn for a grub infestation, perhaps with beneficial nematodes, can eliminate the incentive for skunks to dig. Finally, inspect the yard for potential shelter. Seal off openings beneath decks, sheds, or porches, which skunks might use for denning.