The Vector control guy said the skunks are likely burrowing under so I'm thinking the rats and skunks are sharing the same passageway(s). The skunk isn't particularly energetic when it comes to finding their food, and will usually expel as little effort as possible, but one of their favorite techniques is to dig a cone shaped hole in a lawn or grassy area, and then eat the grubs and worms that emerge. To answer your question, yes skunks will eat moles, mice, and rats to a size, They also eat insects. They were fighting for it and everything, they really liked it eating it. Using a skunk repellent alleviates this concern. Adapted from the book Wild Neighbors . Commonly skunks will burrow to build dens. Pet owners who are encountering problems with skunks entering their households often feel afraid of skunks injuring or attacking their pets. The easier the better and therefore their diet changes based on what is available. In rare situations, they can also go after small mammals, such as mice, rabbits, and rats. Instead, she suggests a new rodenticide called Rat X, which is effective with mice and rats, but won't hurt other wildlife. Anyway, it sounds like the HOA likely won't do much and neither will vector control, so my parents/brother will have to take matters into their own hands. They are omnivores meaning they eat both vegetables and meat. Small Prey. Often skunks are one of the top predators of honeybees. They came in America 300 years ago in ships where they were used as controllers of mouse and rat population since they had greater success in it than cats. They will dig up to a foot underground. Of course, if you have concerns, it is recommended to contact your vet. Are Skunks … Skunks are North and South American mammals in the family Mephitidae.While related to polecats and other members of the weasel family, skunks have as their closest Old World relatives the stink badgers. This site provides many skunk control articles and strategies, if you wish to attempt to solve the problem yourself. Was this answer helpful to you? Do skunks attack pets? Throughout history they have been used to chase and kill rabbits, and in some part of England they are still trained so. “My cat is doing his job…. Also, skunks might eat pet food. As birds are hard to catch, they do not have much history with birds, but they are sure to eat chicken. He said possums may be climbing the fence as well. Bugs; Fruit; Grains; Grubs; Larve/Eggs; They also eat bees and go after beehives. Skunks eat bees and their honey, birds and their eggs, insects and small mammals such as mice, moles, chipmunks and rats. Skunks tend to prefer nightlife. The rats will eat the bait like a food source and Rat X will cause dehydration. What Do Skunks Eat. October 24, 2017 by James Oliver. The City of Windsor has to step up and do something about the rat population,” Jerome said. They can be attracted to backyard vegetable gardens, dropped seed from bird feeders, and even trash in your garbage cans. They do have ever-growing claws that allow them to grab and claw on surfaces, therefore they are skillful in using the claws and teeth to tear the meats of mice and rats. Small mammals – Skunks regularly eat mice, rats, moles and other small mammals, but usually in the winter time. Yes No. The animals are known for their ability to spray a liquid with a strong, unpleasant smell. If they’re available, skunks can dine on chicken eggs, too. Do rats eat tomatoes? Skunks and Rabies: Skunks are the primary carriers of rabies in the Midwest. Unfortunately, it may also mean that chicks and hatchlings are at risk too. Skunks, easily identifiable by their characteristic black and white striping, are infamous for producing a foul odor when frightened. Skunks are scavengers. That makes the defenseless and protein rich eggs in your chicken coop the perfect midnight treat for a skunk. Skunks prefer to eat mice, moles, and rats. 14 of 16 people found this answer helpful. Cats may eat rat poison if you leave them hungry and uncared for. When animals eat rat poison, their feces can turn the color of the poison. Skunks trapped in cellar window wells or similar pits may be removed by nailing narrow pieces of scrap lumber at 6-inch intervals to a board. Skunks produce a litter of 4-7 baby skunks at a time; Skunks are omnivorous, they eat both plant and meat. The first prevention step is to make sure that you don’t leave rat poison (or any poison at all) carelessly. Safe places to find shelter Skunks will build dens under decks, sheds or patios. Where Do Skunks Commonly Nest? Do Skunks Eat Eggs? Skunks are omnivores, they eat anything, but they take special likings to anything fleshy. They eat insects and larvae, earthworms, grubs, small rodents, lizards, salamanders, frogs, snakes, birds, moles and Rabies is usually fatal to humans and pets unless treated immediately. Rat Poison Hazards. Re: Do skunks eat moles? Skunks do much of their damage at night. I wouldn't worry about the poison in your yard, it takes a while for the rat poison to work on anything. A gentle species rarely worth raising a stink over. They will target everything smaller than their size. This situation will make them eat anything on sight, including rat poison. After trapping a skunk, the smart step is to relocate it to a place that is more than 10 miles, up to 20 miles from your property. To stop rats from eating tomato fruits place rat traps and repellents around the plant. Animals that kill and eat skunks may attack from the ground or from the … ; Frogs – Skunks will make a meal out of just about anything smaller than they are, including frogs and toads. Do snakes eat tomatoes? When skunks dig, they look for grubs, insects, small mice or rabbits and ground nesting birds. Skunks are incorporated in the family of marten, weasel, badgers and skunks. Slowly lower the board into the well and allow the skunk to climb out on its own. With that said, skunks are opportunistic eaters and will eat what they think they can safely overcome and kill. Rats eat tomato fruits right off the plants. Raccoons are very fast and intelligent when it comes to capturing their prey. Apart from chickens, they also eat chicken eggs to feed their stomach. They will try and find prey that is smaller than them and are an easy catch. Why do Skunks get into yards? Skunks do have an effective spray that is used for self defense, but they are not known for having the ability to combat other animals and kill. Snakes do not eat tomatoes as they all are carnivores. Skunks are around more often in early spring too when mating season begins. Some of them will brave the edge of ponds or streams in search of crawfish – a particularly tasty treat. What to do about skunks. Skunks will eat anything, so any type of bait will serve to attract skunks. Rats have stomach sensors that tell them when they are thirsty, this will only affect rodents that eat the bait as dogs do not have this sensor. These are safe places to hide from predators or reproduce. What Do Skunks Eat? Now to discourage the animals if you can tolerate the smell, moth balls scaterd around will cause them to stay away. Share. How To Prevent Your Cat From Eating Rat Poison. A skunk will give out a warning by raising their tail. As we learned before, skunks tend to go for the easier targets. They also dig up lawns in search of insects and grubworms and raid backyard poultry pens and eat eggs and birds; eat garden vegetables; and damage beehives. Young chickens and eggs are often the most defenseless and therefore the easiest meal. Tips for Keeping Skunks Away. However, fruit or vegetable baits do have advantages and disadvantages when compared to meat or fish baits. Jerome believes it’s due to a lack of skunks to eat them. What do skunks like to eat? Rats eat tomatoes and are common garden pests. You can tell that rats eat tomatoes if you see their tracks and droppings around tomato plants. If you suspect that a skunk may have rabies, do not approach it - call animal control immediately for assistance. They may also stomp in circles or omit a hissing noise before they spray; These mammals breed around February/March and have a gestation period of about 8 weeks. Actually the gas from them will deter a lot of insects also such as wasps, etc. Skunks are well-known for their distinct coloring and pungent odor, the latter of which is an invaluable self-defense mechanism in the wild. When animals eat rat poison, their feces can turn the color of the poison. They also eat fruit and other vegetation. Skunks often kill and eat young chickens along with any eggs, but they rarely kill or eat adult chickens. Skunks are mammals, although they eat both plant and animal material and changing their diet as the seasons change. frameborder="0" allowfullscreen> What skunks eat in nature is thought to be nuts and berries, here is what wiki says about skunks"Skunks are omnivorous, eating both plant and animal material and changing their diets as the seasons change. Skunks will hunt and kill smaller farm animals, which often has owners worried about the safety of their pets. Fruits or vegetables will not smell as strongly, meaning the skunks may not be as likely to find or approach the trap. Spotted skunks are better predators and more prone to seek out mice and rats. Where skunks have entered a garage, cellar, or house, open the doors to allow the skunks to exit on their own. Do not prod or disturb them. They also eat lizards, water snakes, frogs. ; Lizards and salamanders – Small lizards like salamanders, skinks, or anoles make a great source of protein for skunks. Skunks, as you know, are nocturnal animals, which means nighttime is the only time they come out to hunt, eat, drink and build their homes in the ground. We went to 99c cent store and we bought like 10 packs of rat poison (they look like green pebbles) And we put them in the backyard because we have 2 skunks (they're not adults nor babies, they're like teens) We put all of the rat poisoning inside a big bowl together and then the skunks came out and they loved it. Bright lights are a great way to repel skunks, though are likely to attract unwanted bugs instead. This site is intended to provide skunk education and information about how to kill skunks, so that you can make an informed decision if you need to deal with a skunk problem. They love: Grass; Small mammals; Rodents – Mice, Rats, Moles, etc. So baiting with fish, meat, or chicken is your ideal option. Skunks are known for killing smaller farm animals and poultry. Since they are nocturnal their incredible sense of smell helps them search for food. If you ever want to avoid skunks, you do this by staying indoors at nighttime and away from areas they love, building borrows such as fields and woodland areas. Do not leave the poison on the floor or any other place that your cat can easily access. When skunks kill chickens, it is usually because they were caught in the act of stealing eggs. Skunks are the type of animal that will eat based on opportunity. What Do Skunks Eat? Controlling these food sources and making them difficult to obtain can prevent skunks from coming into your yard. That does not mean skunks are without predators. It's not illegal to do it in his yard, which is probably where it is, and then the skunks will go looking for water as soon as they eat the poison which actually accelerates the poison. Skunk diet Animals. What do Skunks eat? The size of the animal is very important for skunks. This means that skunks have to keep things quite simple when they are seeking food and they must look for small animals that will not pose any challenge.