Not a lot of Palm Bay homeowners will appreciate a visit from the skunk. Those dog owners who tried to eliminate the scent of their nauseating spray are aware on how persistent the smell can be. During summer season when the families are commonly spending their time outside, coming across with a skunk is not impossible. On the contrary, encounters with them during the colder season are rare. You are probably wondering if they are hibernating during the winter times.

Do Skunks Hibernate?

While the Florida skunks will not hibernate during the winter season, their level of activity will significantly decline once the temperature drops. The skunks will prefer to huddle inside their burrows to keep their temperature at the optimal level. When they are building their dens, they will be very particular in choosing the location. It should not only give them an immediate access to food but it should also provide them with warmth. This is why we will often found them under our houses.

Avoiding the Cold Wind

The winter burrow of the Palm Bay skunk will not be the same as the burrow that they are using during the nesting season. While they are actually capable on building their own burrows, the skunks will prefer to invade the abandoned burrows of other animals. They may seek refuge on the spaces under our shed or porch which most homeowners are familiar with. Once the cold wind starts to blow, the skunk will block the burrow’s entrance using grass and leaves. This is meant to control the temperature inside the burrow. Cohabitating provides them the advantage of thermoregulation. While most male skunks will prefer to be alone during spring and summer, they will be more tolerable with their presence during winter times.

How Do They Survive?

Grubs are the preferred food of the Florida skunks. Like the opossums, moles, and armadillos, skunks are diggers. They can destroy your garden while they are looking for grubs. The supply of the grubs will be more bountiful during the colder season. The grubs will be deep on the ground eating the roots while preparing for the metamorphosis on spring time. The skunks will be hunting them at night. Nonetheless, the foraging of the skunks will be infrequent on winter. They can be attracted by your garbage especially if it is not properly secured. They can also steal the pet food that you left outside. 

In case you are a bit concerned on the presence of Palm Bay skunk within your premises, you need to make some preventative measures to guarantee that your property will be less attractive for the skunk. Be sure to control the presence of insects in your yard and reduce the population of the grubs. You should also invest on a trashcan with a lid and a locking mechanism. You should also regularly clean it to remove the waste residue outside of the garbage bin. You may also surround the entire perimeter with a barrier that is buried at least 1ft below the ground.