Hotscot

I'm in Los Angeles County, the High Desert.
Detached house on two acres with a wall round the property.

This little guy has decided to hang around.




Yes, a skunk kitten...he's so cute, eating insects and sleeping under the bushes. I'm inclined to let him be...just hope my cats don't mind.
Anyone had any experience with skunks? I'm generally a live and let live sorta guy....and he's so damned cute.

tonrob

We have one living under our front porch. Not good. Especially after we arrived after midnight from Germany and at one point unloading the car I noticed it sat just 10 feet from out toddler, who was oblivious to her new friend as she was sat on the deck strapped into her car seat.

Fox Pee from Dick's Sporting Goods (no shit) is apparently the answer. Used it last year to good effect, although we seem to have another of its cousins moving in again this year. Back to Dick's it is...

P.S. Wear gloves.

Hotscot

Well at least that sounds like a humane deterrent..thanks.

tonrob

I didn't ask how they got it from the fox...

Pulaski

Apart from being very destructive, physically, that you're asking the question makes me think that you've never smelled one? (An adult that has sprayed).

It is one of the foulest stenches on God's earth, and you wouldn't want to live within 300-400ft of the smell. Get rid of it, get rid of it now! No good will come from letting it hang around!

scrubbedexpat097

Plus old pepe le pew is probably crawling with fleas..

Lion in Winter

How do they get the foxes to pee into a bottle?

Hotscot

So..by getting rid of it...does that mean killing it? I'm not sure what people do in this case. It looks like it's just a baby.

CelticRover

Rabies in skunks is also a concern in California.


http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/di...es/rabies.aspx

civilservant

The fox pee will ward it off, although thats moving it on for others to deal with rather than dealing with it. I personally am loathed to kill anything that isn't a spider or scorpion.

Pulaski

Trapping and relocating it is an option, though I don't know at what age they start spraying, so there is a risk, to you, and whatever vehicle you transport it in. I say "you" because relocating trapped animals isn't legal under California law, so a pest control company isn't really an option. You can buy a cat/ racoon sized trap for about $40 at your local agricultural supply business. If you do a relocation, I'd take it at least several miles away, as many animals roam a good distance and you don't want it to find it's way home to you.

That said, and while agreeing with Civilservant in principle, I would say that killing is the best option (for you at least ). Probably a shotgun if you're shooting it untrapped, or I hear that if an pest animal is near people, a house or built-up area, parked vehicles, road, etc that trapping it (see above) and shooting it in the cage is the way to do it. I'd feel a little bad for the animal, but they are a pest animal that is very common, very destructive, and in addition there is the smell, fleas, and the rabies risk.

joto

Just saying, if it's a baby, or very young skunk there maybe it's parent skunks nearby.

Nutmegger

Call your local animal control department. They will either help you themselves or refer you to a local wildlife relocation expert to trap and release it into a suitable place.

Sorry -- just saw Pulaski's post about relocation not being legal in CA. Not even for experts? But I would still contact animal control.

Hiro11

They are destructive and the stench literally alters your ability to think straight, but skunks are indeed among the cutest critters around. In many states, it's legal to de-stinkify a skunk and keep them as pets. Apparently, them make terrific pets and are about as smart as dogs. They have endearingly terrible eyesight and hearing which makes them constantly surprised. Also, I love the idea of an animal who's best defense is that they will make you smell bad for a week straight.

I had one come into my garage when I accidentaly left the door open over night. As skunks are nocturnal he (she?) didn't want to leave during the day. It was completely, lovably hopeless: trying to hide its giant skunk body behind objects that were way too small, general ridiculous half-pace scurrying, jumping in terror when I played loud AC/DC in an attempt to drive it away. By noon, I was completely in love with the little guy. As long as he didn't spray me.

Lion in Winter

I think you have just described about half the membership of BE.