With the Coming of Spring, a Young Skunk’s Thoughts Turn Amorous …

Spring? It’s hard to believe from my woodchuck friend’s vantage point in northwestern Vermont. It’s 24°, there is a 20 mile-an-hour wind from the west, and more than a foot of snow blowing around. Lake Champlain is frozen over, and his forecast is for strong winds to continue … the poor ice fishermen!

Even the fabled Punxatawney Phil, who was pulled from his den a few days ago, said, “Spring? Not for 6 more weeks!” 

Hard to believe as it is though, it’s warming up in my neighborhood and in other parts of the country … and with the warm weather comes the smell of fresh air, cut grass, blossoming trees, and flowers, and …

Skunks.

Apparently during mating season, when a male skunk finds a female skunk, and she is not interested in his advances, she will spray him. When two male skunks find a female they are both interested in, they will spray one another in competition for the right to claim her as their own. Imagine the organic aromas if they fight, one wins, and the female doesn’t think he’s worthy … Just like the J. Geils Band originally told us back in 1980...

Love Stinks.

Skunks can spray five or six times before needing a week or two for a refill.

And that smell can be detected up to two miles away, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Skunks too, are not very fast on their feet, which is why they get run over so often on the roads. 

Also, as lawns and gardens reawaken, one of a skunk’s favorite meals are the same white grubs that can kill patches of your well-manicured grass, or cause it to easily brown in times of drought. Chances are, if you have grass grub issues, you might also get issues with skunks. 

If your property happens to be a place that skunks prefer to inhabit, and you would rather encourage them to leave or find a new dining opportunity there are a few things you can do. This video contains a pretty exhaustive list of deterrents, plus a bunch of clues about their habitat behaviours:

But you won’t stop them from enjoying springtime.. Ah young love! Here’s to that romantic little Pepé Le Pew in all of us!