Skunks generally visit our homes looking for food. If people feed their pets outside, skunks will share that food. Move it indoors to stop the raiding.

Skunks also eat a variety of subterranean (underground) pests. They really like grubs, which are the larval stage of beetles. They dig up our yards to get at the grubs.

Beneficial nematodes are microscopic parasitic worms that destroy more than 200 pests which live in our yards, including subterranean termites, fleas and grubs.

Beneficial nematodes can be found at most good nurseries (not Home Depot, Target, Home Base, etc.) They are only available during late spring and early summer, so don't delay your purchase.

Here's a safe alternative to getting that skunk stink off of you or your pet:

1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide

1/4 cup baking soda

Combine the above with enough Dawn dishwashing liquid into a gravy-thick substance. Shampoo as you normally would. Discard any leftover solution.