Pepé Le Pew, a charming skunk character, isn't all he's cracked up to be. He is not only smelly; but he is destructive in gardens. (Not exactly attractive qualities to get the ladies.) Nevertheless, gardeners are always asking about how to rid skunks from landscapes. Here's what we know about skunks.

Skunk activity in gardens

Skunks do not jump; but they can climb a short distance (we're talking only 18" inches). Because climbing isn't their strong suit, they will dig to reach plants. Skunks go after flowers and vegetables that they can uproot but will not go after established flowerbeds. 

To stop digging skunks, gardeners have used bird netting - however, they say that the material gets tangled. While inexpensive, it isn't as effective as other types of garden management techniques such as deer fencing. It's best to use a steel fence with PVC-coating to prevent skunks from digging underneath the fence. Trench the metal garden fence at least 12 inches into the ground for best results.