New Neighbors Stink!

That is what residents in several parts of town are saying and the neighbors in question certainly do have an odor. Skunks! The skunk population in Doylestown Borough is booming.

Skunks are omnivores that normally eat a huge variety of foods such as insects, berries, and even small rodents and reptiles.  They favor grubs and bees, but will eat almost anything available, including garbage and pet food. Most skunks are not afraid of people or domestic animals. The only natural skunk predator in this area is the Great Horned Owl, which is not particularly fond of the town environment. Skunks like warm dry spots to den such as under porches and in rarely used sheds. They will breed in the late winter and can have as many as ten babies in a litter. It is easy to see why skunks like Doylestown so much. Doylestown is paradise found for these critters: easy plentiful food, places to hide, and no predators.

Residents report having trapped more than 10 little stinkers so far this year, so we are asking all residents to take some simple steps to make the area less attractive for skunks.

As stated, Skunks are drawn to Doylestown mostly by the presence of easy food sources such as  garbage, pet food and grubs. Skunks can smell food from quite far away and can easily tear through plastic bags. Once they find an area of plentiful food they look for a place to stay.

Put trash in trash cans and keep the lids on the cans.
Do not feed pets outdoors. If you must, remove the food as soon as your pet is done.

Control the grub and other insects, as well as mice and rodents.
Store firewood tightly stacked and on a rack that elevates it.
Seal openings in foundations, porches, and sheds so skunks and other critters don't den in them.

If you are having trouble with skunks around your house, you can contact the Borough to have someone come out and assist you in identifying ways you can make your property less attractive to skunks