Skunks

Skunks can be found across the continental United States and are known for their acrid, pungent odor and black and white stripes.  Their musk, which is produced by a pair of anal scent glands, can be smelled over great distances.  The bodily chemicals that produce the odor act as an irritant to multiple senses and may even lead to temporary blindness.  Nocturnal and omnivorous, skunks eat many different foods, such as small insects, amphibians, rodents, and garbage.

In addition to noticing tracks, home and property owners can detect a skunk infestation in a variety of other ways.  For instance, skunks are notorious diggers.  The omnivorous pests dig in order to find sources of food as well as to create new denning sites.  Skunks can dig under building slabs, which in turn can cause structural damage over time.

A musky odor can lead people to believe they have a skunk problem, but this may not always be the case, as skunk smell can travel across great distances.  Fresh droppings found wherever the skunk is feeding or denning may also indicate the presence of a skunk problem.