trapping is necessary, the technician will show you how to set the trap using guidelines ... Calling the District late,
SKUNKS
Prevention & Control
2.5 Inches
GENERAL INFORMATION
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Striped Skunk tracks
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Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)**
Skunks in Contra Costa County Two types of skunks are found in California. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is by far the most common in Contra Costa County. The striped skunk is about the size of a house cat (about four to 10 pounds). It has long black fur with two broad white stripes down its back. The head is triangular, and the tail is large and bushy. The spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) is a smaller animal and is uncommon in our county.
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Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius)**
Spotted Skunk tracks
PLEASE READ IMPORTANT PROCEDURES AND POLICIES BEFORE USING SKUNK TRAPS!
It is a violation of California Fish and Game Codes* and the California Code of Regulations* to:
FOR SKUNK REMOVAL OR ANIMAL RELEASE, CALL (925) 771-6192 BY THE 7 a.m. DEADLINE.
1. Transport wild animals.
Our District office is closed on weekends and the holidays noted on page 14 of this brochure.
2. Fail to check your skunk trap DAILY. 3. Relocate the skunk trap off your property. *(Sections 2118, 4004, 4005, 4150, California Fish and Game Code; and Section 671, Title 14, California Code of Regulations)
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Trapping
Trap design and Function
The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District (the District) lends free skunk traps (one per property) to residents whose property indicates skunk activity, such as an established den. The traps provided are safe, humane, live-catch cylinder traps. We donÕt trap skunks that simply release odor or are just passing through the property. Trapping is the last resort when criteria is met based on an inspection.
Setting Instructions:
You can call (925) 771-6190 to request a skunk inspection. Depending on the time of year, there may be a waiting list. Upon the first visit, the technician will inspect the property to determine if trapping is necessary. The technician will provide guidelines and exclusion methods to help you control the skunks. If trapping is necessary, the technician will show you how to set the trap using guidelines set forth by the California Fish and Game code. If youÕre not at home, skunk literature will be left along with a trap if the property meets the criteria to warrant a trap. District employees will also remove skunks from private traps. The dimensions of your trap must not exceed eight inches wide by 24 inches long by eight inches high and must be approved by our District before use. Private traps must be covered on all sides except for the ends. This keeps the skunk from spraying the employees upon removal. WE WILL NOT PICK UP SKUNKS FROM PRIVATE TRAPS THAT ARE COVERED BY TARPS, BLANKETS, SHEETS, PLASTIC, RUGS, ETC. Reasons for discontinuation of service:
1. Turn the small locking plate and slide the door off. 2. Bait the trap with anything dry, such as cat or dog kibble, cereal, marshmallows, crackers, potato chips, etc. 3. Shake food to the back end of the trap. DO NOT LEAVE FOOD IN THE MIDDLE OR OUTSIDE THE FRONT ENTRANCE TO THE TRAP. 4. Slide the exposed one-inch pin back on top of the cylinder, place slide door back on leaving it on a slight angle to rest on the edge of the cylinder. DO NOT REST SLIDE DOOR ON PIN. 5. The trapped animal will trigger the pan rod from inside which will push the door off the edge of the cylinder trap to close and lock. BE SURE THE HEX NUT SIDE OF THE SLIDE DOOR FACES OUT SO THAT THE DOOR SLIDES DOWN COMPLETELY. This cylinder trap is used to capture skunks alive and unharmed. The slide door is at one end and a locked plate is at the other end. Once the door has dropped to lock in place, the target animal is trapped. Please call our District before the 7 a.m. deadline so we can remove the skunk or release a non-target animal that business day. Do not attempt to verify that there is an animal in the trap once the door is down.
1. No skunks trapped on property in 10 day -12 day work period. 2. Calling the District late, after the 7 a.m. deadline to request animal removal or release. 3. Not monitoring trap daily for trapped animals. 4. Relocation of trap from property or relocation of a non-target animal 5. Killing trapped non-target animals.
Live-catch trap set in the open position ready to trap a skunk.
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Skunk trapped inside live-catch trap triggered closed by the skunk.
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Using a Trap
Exclusion Methods
DO NOT place traps under home crawl spaces, decks, sheds, or any structure.
EXCLUSION (Exterior)
¥ Trap must be accessible to the District employee. ¥ Trap must be checked everyday by the 7 a.m. deadline. ¥ Keep children, public, and pets away from the trap. ¥ Trickle water into the trap with a garden hose for the animal to drink if the
1. Replace or reinforce vent screens around home.
weather is hot.
¥ Trap must remain ON property where it was originally dropped off. ¥ Trap cannot be placed in neighboring yards. ¥ Trap cannot be used to trap animals other than skunks. ¥ Trap cannot be placed in open space areas adjacent to properties. Skunks are euthanized as humanely as possible. They are never relocated or released into any open space.
2. Secure outside crawl space doors near ground level. 3. Install ½ inch galvanized hardware cloth around decks, sheds, and home foundations. 4. Store firewood 18 inches above ground.
Missing screen torn off by a skunk to gain access to dwelling***
5. Prevent skunks from entering compost piles. 6. Keep all pet doors secure at night or evening hours. 7. Thin or remove heavy vegetation or low growing ground cover.
Please note: Any non-target animal such as raccoons and opossums caught in the traps will be released on site. We will not remove non-target animals from the property or relocate them. Transporting wild animals, failure to check trap daily, and relocation of trap off property are violations of our procedures. Any violation of our procedures will result in the removal of the trap from the property (see Sections 2118, 4004, 4005, 4150, California Fish and Game Code; and Section 671, Title 14, California Code of Regulations).
8. Keep debris piles clear so skunks canÕt burrow beneath and establish dens.
Vent torn open by a skunk to gain access to dwelling***
FOOD 9. Keep garbage cans tightly secured leaving no exposed garbage. 10. Discontinue or remove bird feeders on ground level. Remove excess spillage. 11. Remove all fruit off the ground when in season. 12. Treat lawn areas to eliminate grubs. 13. Store animal feed in secure metal containers or bins. 14. Secure base of birdhouses or coops using sheet metal or ½ inch galvanized hardware cloth. 15. Remove pet food and water dishes.
Non-target animals will be released on-site**
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Exclusion Methods
Skunk Biology
To prevent skunks from sharing your residence, seal up entry holes in and under buildings and decks. Before you do this, make sure that no animals are trapped inside!
Skunks are mammals. They are best known for their ability to spray a strong musk which they use as a defense mechanism. This musk is expelled from two scent glands at the rear of the skunkÕs body. They can spray several times with an accuracy of 10 feet to 12 feet.
One way to tell is to sprinkle some flour around any potential entry points at dusk. In the morning, check for animal tracks leading into or away from the opening. Do this for three consecutive mornings (as long as itÕs not raining). If you donÕt see any tracks, chances are no animal is inside. Another way is to build a oneway door. A one-way door looks like a cat door, but the door flap is larger than the door opening so a skunk can get out, but not in again. When you are sure no animals are trapped inside, construct an L-shaped screen around patios,decks, sheds, raised cement walkways, and underneath houses. Screens should be constructed of hardware cloth and should be buried 1½ feet to 2 feet deep and come 1½ feet to 2 feet away from the building. Skunks can burrow 1½ feet to 2 feet deep and up to 5 feet or 6 feet across, so it is important that the screen be placed appropriately deep and wide. Seal all holes around pipes, cable lines, and/or air conditioning hoses and vents. Leave no openings larger than ½ inch.
Skunks mate in January and February. Males are quite aggressive when competing for females. Bred females will attack males attempting to mate with them. This may cause the skunks to spray. The gestation period is approximately nine weeks. During this time, the female stays in a sheltered area, in a den sheÕs made. Occasionally, she will go out for food. Several females may den together in the winter, but the males are usually solitary. Young are born around June. A female gives birth to about 6 to 10 young and will produce only one litter per year. The young skunks stay with their mother for several months learning how to hunt for food, usually going out on their own by mid to late summer.
Skunk Life Cycle
January February
mating
March April
Gestation/Make Dens
May L-Shaped screen application around foundation.***
June
Young Born
July August September October
Young Skunks Leave Mother
November December Power supply hole sealed with metal flashing.*
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Habitats and Behavior
Rabies
Skunks are nocturnal, preferring to hunt at night. Many people never see them, although they know a skunk has visited due to odor or signs of digging.
Skunks can carry rabies. Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is fatal in mammals, including humans and domestic animals (dogs, cats, livestock). It is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Rabies is preventable through routine vaccinations, but is not curable after the onset of symptoms.
Skunks eat insects, small rodents, carrion, poultry, eggs, nesting birds, fruit, pet food, and garbage. They prey on many pest insects and rodents, so they can be beneficial animals. Skunks are usually found in semi-open country, but are attracted to residential areas because of the available food, shelter, and water. Since much of the countyÕs open land has been developed, skunks and other animals have become accustomed to living in residential areas. Skunks will use any sheltered place as a den, including wood piles, animal burrows, dry culverts, spaces under houses, garages, decks, and sheds. Skunks can become problematic as they establish residence.
Early symptoms of rabies include pain or numbness at the bite sight, fever, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy. Symptoms progress rapidly to include paralysis, throat spasms, delirium, hallucinations, coma, and finally death. The delay between exposure and symptoms allows time for the virus to be treated. If you are bitten by a skunk or other wild animal it is vital that you get medical attention immediately.
Odor Removal
Signs of Rabid Animals
If your pet gets sprayed by a skunk, visit your local pet supply for a neutralizer or try this formula to remove the odor:
Most people think rabid animals are easily noticed because of excessive drooling and foaming at the mouth. In fact, these symptoms may only appear in the late stages of infection, or not at all.
Take one quart of three percent hydrogen peroxide (available at pharmacies); ¼ cup baking soda; and one teaspoon liquid soap. Mix together and wash the skunk-sprayed animal, keeping the mixture out of its eyes, nose, and mouth. Rinse with tap water. DO NOT try to bottle or store this solution. The mixture causes a minor chemical reaction and expanding gases could ÒexplodeÓ if confined to a bottle.
A better way to recognize a rabid animal is to be aware of unusual or abnormal behavior, staggering, restlessness, aggressiveness, change in tone of bark or growl, or appearance of choking. Wild animals sometime lose their fear of humans and appear friendly, or passive animals may become fierce and aggressive. It is always best to stay away from wild animals, especially if they display these behaviors:
¥ Abnormal behavior ¥ Staggering, restlessness ¥ Aggressiveness ¥ Change in tone of bark/growl ¥ Appearance of choking
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Other Wild Life Raccoons Raccoons are common throughout California. They are medium-sized mammals, 12 to 35 pounds and 20 to 40 inches long. They are nocturnal and eat fruit, grains, eggs, poultry, fish, insects, and garbage. They naturally den in hollow trees, ground burrows, brush piles, or rock crevices. They adapt extremely well to urban and suburban environments where they often den in backyards, beneath decks or porches, or in outbuildings. If they can gain access, they will den in attics, chimneys, and the spaces beneath houses. Doors covering crawl spaces are sometimes damaged in an effort to den beneath the house. Raccoons are active mostly at nighttime and therefore may go undetected for some time. These animals can be a problem because they dig up lawns looking for grubs and insects, overturn garbage cans looking for food, and hunt chickens and other poultry. Raccoons may cause considerable damage to a house. Females in search of nesting sites may rip off shingles, fascia boards, or rooftop ventilators to get into the attic. Once inside, theyÕll make themselves at home by tearing up insulation or ripping off air conditioning ducts. Raccoons may also use the attic as a latrine. As with other mammals, ectoparasites (ticks, fleas, etc.) may infest the attic and migrate to people or pets within the home.
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Raccoons are known to carry a number of diseases and internal parasites. One such disease is raccoon roundworm, an infection spread to people by the accidental ingestion of roundworm eggs from raccoon feces. Roundworm infection can cause serious disabilities, and young children are thought to be most susceptible as they often play in areas such as sandboxes that raccoons have used as a latrine.
Opossums Opossums are house-cat sized animals, about 2 to 3 feet long including the tail, and weigh up to 15 pounds. They are the only marsupials (pouched mammals) in North America. Opossums are not aggressive animals, but can be a nuisance in urban areas because they can damage houses by pushing in screened vents or chewing on wires. They rummage through garbage cans and can sometimes fight with pets over pet food left outside. Opossums prefer to live near streams or wetlands. In urban and suburban settings they may den under steps, porches, decks, garden tool sheds, and if accessible, in attics, garages, and beneath houses, where they make an untidy nest of sticks and whatever else may be available. The nocturnal opossum is a true omnivore, feeding on fruits, nuts, berries, grapes, green plants, insects, snails, snakes, frogs, birds and their eggs, and small mammals such as meadow voles, mice, and rats. Opossums that live near people may visit vegetable gardens, compost piles, garbage cans, or food dishes intended for dogs or cats. Since they have lost much of their natural fear of people, they will sometimes enter a home through a pet door in search of food. Fortunately, they are not aggressive unless cornered, when they may hiss, growl, and show their teeth. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. Control methods for opossums are the same or similar to those for skunks and raccoons. The goal of habitat control is to make yards less appealing to the opossum. Overgrown shrubbery should be cut back and trees that overhang rooftops should be trimmed back at least five feet from the roof edge. Fallen fruit should be removed frequently. Be sure your firewood is stacked tightly, leaving no major gaps suitable for a den. Scrap lumber and other items should be stored in an orderly manner, about 18 inches off the ground. Garbage cans should have tight-fitting lids. Pet food placed outdoors should be removed by nightfall.
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The District does not provide services for raccoons or opossums. Please contact the California Department of Fish and Game or a private pest control company.
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For more information, please contact the University of California, Davis at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/ and the California Fish and Game at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/
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Please DO NOT SET YOUR SKUNK TRAP on weekends or the night before the following holidays:
NOTES
January
¥
New YearÕs Day
¥
Martin Luther KingÕs Birthday
February
¥
PresidentÕs Day
March
¥
Cesar Chavez Day
May
¥
Memorial Day
JULY
¥
Independence Day
September
¥
Labor Day
¥
Admission Day
OCTOBER
¥
Columbus Day
November
¥
VeteranÕs Day
¥
Thanksgiving Day
¥
Friday after Thanksgiving
DECEMBER
¥
Christmas Day
Please check your calender as the dates of some holidays vary from year to year.
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About Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District
Protecting Public Health Since 1927 Early in the 1900s, Northern California suffered through epidemics of encephalitis and malaria, and severe outbreaks of saltwater mosquitoes. At times, parts of Contra Costa County were considered uninhabitable resulting in the closure of waterfront areas and schools during peak mosquito seasons. Recreational areas were abandoned and Realtors had trouble selling homes. The general economy suffered. As a result, residents established the Contra Costa Mosquito Abatement District which began service in 1927. Today, the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District continues to protect public health with environmentally sound techniques, reliable and efficient services, as well as programs to combat emerging diseases, all while preserving and/or enhancing the environment. *
Photos used with permission courtesy of www.aaanimalcontrol.com
**
Photos used with permission courtesy of Kim Cabrera
*** Photos used with permission courtesy of Humane Wildlife Control, Inc
FREE Services for Contra Costa County Residents Mosquitoes
Inspection and control
Mosquitofish
Ticks
Tick identification
Rats and Mice
Free for residential ponds
Inspection and advice
Yellowjackets and Bees
Inspection and assistance
Ground-nest and swarm control
Skunks
Public Education Literature and presentations
Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District 155 Mason Circle ¥ Concord, CA 94520 (925) 771-6172 office ¥ (925) 685-0266 fax www.ContraCostaMosquito.com
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