It is 2 o'clock in the afternoon and there is a skunk feeding in my neighbor's yard.

[GreenPartyVoter]

Aside from the kids coming home from school soon (I made arrangements for the bus to back up here and drop them off at the house) should I be concerned? They usually only show up at sunrise or sunset. It's overcast today but I am not sure I would mistake it for being past sunset.

Should I be concerned about this cute but stinky little varmint?

UPDATE: Well, Dept of wildlife says not to worry so I guess we'll be all right.

[TZ]

1. yes.

I would stay well away from it. Any nocturnal mammal that behaves oddly could potentially be rabid. Its not obvious in the early stages...

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Dept of wildlife just told me they are only semi-nocturnal so being out in the

daytime is not cause for concern except in that people are more at risk for getting sprayed.

[LeftyFingerPop]

2. May be ill...

Daytime activity in normally nocturnal animals could possibly indicate rabies. Do you know if rabies is prevalent in your area?

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Rabies is prevalent but the wildlife dept says skunks are not strictly

nocturnal and do sometimes come out earlier in the day. I was just told we should avoid him and all will be well. (Unless this little bugger moves in under the trailer like his cousin did last summer. In that case, it's WAR! x( )

[LeftyFingerPop]

5. Be careful!

...and good luck! :)

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Thanks! I am more concerned for teh kittehs who live at the trailer where

mr. skunk is getting his snacks. Watch out, kittehs!

[LeftyFingerPop]

7. Both my dogs got sprayed a few years ago...

I made the mistake of picking them up and getting the musk on my jacket.

Holy freakin' God...lol.

If your cats ever get sprayed, don't get them wet...water will lock the musk into their fur for a long time. Keep them outside and try a skunk odor neutralizer (buy some next time you go to the store to have on hand).

That musk is so horrid up close that you will most likely vomit...several times!

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. I have indoor kittehs, however I have outdoor kids! I wonder if Febreeze can do

anything? I sprayed it a lot as a room deodorizer when mr. skunk moved in under the trailer last year. It did work, but only temporarily since it never connected with the source of the scent.

[LeftyFingerPop]

9. Hmmm....I'm not sure if it would help, but I can tell you...

that I had to throw out my clothes!