What Will a Skunk Do For My Garden?

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GrayThumb Saint Louis, MO(Zone 6a) May 09, 2011

A skunk seems to have moved in... smelled it this a.m.

Since skunks are part of the cat family and eat small bugs, can I expect fewer insect pests on my veggies (and fruits), fewer squirrels, fewer birds, and fewer bunnies? I've never seen a skunk jump like a cat, so will a two-foot fence keep it out of the veggies (and fruits)? Will the skunk odor keep cats and dogs away? Squirrels? Bunnies? Birds? People?!!!

Thank you.

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Doug9345 Durhamville, NY(Zone 5b) May 09, 2011

I don't think they are that close to a cat. Yes skunks will eat bugs, but they also eat tender young shoots. I don't see them bothering squirrels or bunnies at all. Birds only if they happened to find the nest on the ground and eat the eggs. I've never seen one in a tree so I don't think they are great climbers but I don't know i they can or will climb over a two foot fence. I've seen a cat chase a skunk but don't know about the outcome. Dogs definitely will bother a skunk and get sprayed. Some don't learn the lesson the first time and go back for remedial lessons on skunks.

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cando1 Ozone, AR(Zone 6a) May 15, 2011

Skunks can't go over a fence but definately can go under it.
Skunks are also great carriers of Rabies.So beware. If you see one out in the daytime. Call lawinforcement to come and shoot it and send the head off for tests.
Vickie

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gardadore Saylorsburg, PA(Zone 6a) May 15, 2011

Skunks love grubs so when I get one I also get lovely holes everywhere in the yard or newly planted garden where the skunk digs for the grubs. While it's nice to get rid of the grubs some years my yard becomes a mass of those holes - not a pretty site and wrecks the lawn (such as it is here in the country!) I can small it every night and once in a while have surprised it when I open the back kitchen door to get something off the stoop. When I know a skunk is around I make a lot of noise to scare it off first so it doesn't decide to spray me!!

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