Skunks are common North American mammals, recognized for their distinctive black and white patterns and defensive spray. These nocturnal, adaptable creatures inhabit various environments, from woodlands to urban areas. Their presence in human-populated regions often leads to interactions, particularly concerning gardens and yards.
Understanding Skunk Diet
Skunks are omnivorous, consuming both plant and animal matter. Their omnivorous diet allows them to thrive by adapting food choices based on seasonal availability. While known for consuming insects and small animals, plants are also a significant part of their diet. Their diet shifts throughout the year. During spring and summer, insects like grubs, beetles, and crickets are abundant and often constitute a large portion of their diet. As seasons change and animal prey becomes scarcer, skunks rely more heavily on plant-based foods to acquire necessary nutrients and energy to build fat reserves for winter.
Common Plants Skunks Eat
Skunks consume a variety of plant materials, often attracted to easily accessible items. Their plant-based diet includes fruits, vegetables, roots, seeds, and nuts. They commonly eat berries such as blackberries, blueberries, and cranberries, along with larger fruits like apples, grapes, and melons, particularly those that have fallen to the ground. Garden vegetables are also appealing to skunks, including corn, tomatoes, carrots, squash, broccoli, and peas. Skunks may also seek out roots, bulbs, fungi, grasses, and tender shoots, especially when other food sources are limited, readily consuming plant matter for its sugars, nectar, and moisture.
Keeping Skunks Out of Gardens
Food Source Management
Protecting gardens from skunks involves humane strategies to make the area less appealing. Removing fallen fruits and vegetables promptly eliminates readily available food. Securing compost bins with tight-fitting lids prevents skunks from accessing food scraps. Pet food should not be left outdoors, as it attracts skunks and other wildlife.
Physical and Sensory Deterrents
Physical barriers are an effective deterrent. Fencing around garden beds can prevent skunk entry; bury the fence at least one foot deep, extending outward in an L-shape, as skunks are skilled diggers, and a height of 4 to 5 feet is sufficient, as they are not strong climbers. Motion-activated lights can startle nocturnal skunks, making them less likely to linger. Strong scents, such as citrus peels, ammonia-soaked rags (placed carefully), or commercial repellents, discourage skunks. Planting certain species like summer squash or holly around garden borders create an uninviting environment due to their texture or prickly nature.