Growing Number of Skunks Cause A Stink

Bonnie Sherry is apprehensive about walking her dog, or even stepping out of her home, for fear of getting sprayed by skunks. 

"We cannot take our dog for a walk in the evening without encountering skunks -- not only near the forest preserve, but on main roads, such as Waukegan Road," the Niles resident wrote in an email.

The skunk population has risen in eight of the past 10 years, and jumped 46 percent in 2010, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Chicago Sun-Times said. The agency monitors animal populations using a road-kill index.

George Van Geem, Niles village manager, said the village's response has been to create an informational page about skunks on its website.

"We don't have the resources to track down every skunk in town," he said.

The web page says:

• Skunks look for food, such as insects, garbage and garden vegetables, around homes. They also look for shelter, making nests under decks, porches or sheds, and even tunneling into crawl spaces or basements.
• In addition to the odor they produce, they can carry rabies.
• If a skunk stomps its feet, it is getting ready to spray. Stay as far away as possible, as they can spray accurately up to 10 to 15 feet.
• Call a wildlife removal expert if you have skunks on your property. The website has tips for finding one.

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