Animal Services

Skunks

Skunks are primarily solitary animals. Just like humans, they have five toes on their front and hind feet. They have elongated nails that aid them in digging for insects and grubs. Skunks are omnivorous and will eat a variety of insects, wild fruits, and small vertebras like mice and eggs of ground-nesting birds. Their only natural predator is the great-horned owl. 

Benefits of Skunks

• Excellent at rodent and insect control, including black widow spiders and scorpions
• Will eat carrion, keeping roadsides clean

Deterrent Ideas

In a yard or house:

• Never intentionally feed wildlife
• Secure garbage cans with bungee cords, rope, or chains
• Remove all pet foods, water, and fallen fruit
• Close all pet doors and garage doors at night
• Keep all pets indoors

In an attic, chimney, under a deck, or on a rooftop:

• Trim trees and shrubbery away from rooftops and fencing
• Cap chimneys with a commercial chimney cap or wire mesh
• Use towels soaked in household ammonia and place them in the crawl space before nightfall. This should drive animal(s) out. The entry point can then be sealed.
• Use radios or motion-detected lights in "den" areas. Once the animal has left, seal all entrance points.

If destroying landscape:

• Ask your local nursery about pesticides that can be used for grub control 
• Pin new sod to the ground with thin spikes or cover with a thin nylon bird netting 
• Water your lawns in the early morning rather than in the evening

To ensure the animal has left, place flour outside the entrance and look for animal prints. Be cautious during spring and summer, as there may be a litter of young that cannot escape. 

Opossum

The opossum is North America's oldest and most primitive mammal. They are the only marsupials in North America. Being nocturnal animals, they are generally seen at night foraging for food. They are omnivorous and consume many types of plants, fruits, vegetables, carrion, insects, slugs, snails, and earthworms. 

Benefits of Opossums

• Control snail population
• Immune to rattlesnake venom: help control rattlesnake population

Raccoon

The raccoon is the most well-known forbearer in California. They are easily distinguishable by their black-masked face and ringed tail. Their human­like forepaws give them great dexterity and aid them in climbing and swimming. Being nocturnal animals, they have keen eyesight and hearing. 

Benefits of Raccoons

• Help control rodent and insect populations

Opossum & Raccoon Deterrent Ideas

In a yard or house:

• Never intentionally feed wildlife
• Secure garbage cans with bungee cords, rope, or chains
• Remove all pet foods, water, and fallen fruit
• Close all pet doors and garage doors at night
• Keep all pets indoors

In an attic, chimney, under a deck, or on a rooftop:

• Trim trees and shrubbery away from rooftops and fencing
• Cap chimneys with a commercial chimney cap or wire mesh
• Use towels soaked in household ammonia and place them in the crawl space before nightfall. This should drive animal(s) out. The entry point can then be sealed.
• Use radios or motion-detected lights in "den" areas. Once the animal has left, seal all entrance points.

If destroying landscape:

• Ask your local nursery about pesticides that can be used for grub control 
• Pin new sod to the ground with thin spikes or cover with a thin nylon bird netting 
• Water your lawns in the early morning rather than in the evening

To ensure the animal has left, place flour outside the entrance and look for animal prints. Be cautious during spring and summer, as there may be a litter of young that cannot escape.