Removing brush, wood piles, stacks of building material, or debris will deter skunks from an area. Fencing around a small area like an athletic field will keep skunks out of the area if there are fence gates that are kept closed. Skunks can be trapped and removed, consult a wildlife control company when considering this. They are generally considered beneficial because of their diet that consists primarily of insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, cutworms, armyworms and other insect larvae. Skunks will also feed on small mammals such as mice, rats, shrews, moles, ground squirrels as well as garden vegetables and fruits and bird eggs.
Skunks are about the size of a large domestic cat.
They are easily identified by their jet black coat with white stripes that run from the top of their head down their back. They are primarily nocturnal and are most active from early evening through most of the night. Although they don't actually hibernate, skunks are less active during the winter. Litters are born in early spring with four to six young per litter. The young venture out on their own in fall.