I'm tired of scattered skunks visiting my premises in the late afternoon. Where do they all come from? I live in the suburbs, not the foothills. Everybody is so scared of skunks, dashing at the mere sight of them. But for me, I get mad at them for dropping by uninvited. And at a safe distance, I usually yell at them and they leave.
Last summer I was vacuuming my pool before sunset. Feeling a presence at my right, I turned to find a skunk had entered my gate, and was reviewing me from the other side of the pool.
"Go back!" I yelled out, with a voice full of authority and confidence. And without hesitation, the young skunk made an about face back through the gate.
I have every right to be mad at them. They dig up all my freshly planted pansies, as well as the dianthus. The skunks stealthily sneak in at night, and dig into the soft soil to nibble at the roots. The next morning I discover the dug soil supporting a semi-withered flower, only to fall dead at my slightest touch, its roots completely gone.
Now for those of you slightly shocked at my stand against skunks, remember, they are peaceful animals and will only spray you if endangered. When cornered, or an aggressor moves in too close, the skunk will face the aggressor and stomp the ground as a warning. At this point the attacker should reconsider and flee. If not, the skunk will turn and spray the threat, up to fifteen feet with deadly accuracy.
Knowing this, I've never come that close to my silent stalkers. I find staring and shouting at them to leave does the trick.
On any given night I might be awakened by a trespasser toppling over a flowerpot. Then I'm reminded of who's out there by that horrid stench that seems to permeate the walls. I do hate that stink, however I can assume the scavenging skunks think I stink for confronting them and demanding they leave my flower gardens alone.
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