The skunk babies are getting so big now. Last night, when I went to feed at midnight, they were all over the place waiting for me to put out food. I looked at our barn cats that were over on the other side of the property and decided to just stop feeding dry food after dark. The midnight ramblers (what I call the stray and feral cats who come in after dark) will just have to learn that food will be available until it gets dark. I can’t keep feeding these skunks here- it’s hard enough to keep the cats fed let alone the wildlife.
They are out all day long- but the hope is when I stop providing midnite snacks they will hopefully move right along and find other places with more natural food. They don’t seem to like the wet food, but they devour the dry. There’s a fairly large forest right behind our place so I am hoping they will move off into the woods. Time will tell-
If you have the same luck I had with that plan, you will be delighted. I had your same problem with ‘coons, skunks, “n “possums. I also have a large forest next to me. It took about three or four days to make the change-over complete, but the critters went right back to the forest, and the night-owl cats come at dawn and dusk. Meanwhile, the day cats munch right along, just like nothing at all happened And the food I used to use up in one day, now lasts three. Win-win-win. Good luck.
It is a tough policy to take but it’s like sending the kids out to fend for themselves when they get old enough. We sigh but it needs to be done. Besides, you need to save your resources for those who really can’t do well on their own.