Expert: Roger Lederer - 3/6/2010

Question
I'm an expert in another area and I have a pretty serious problem: my bird feeder is in a securely fenced area around my back door (set aside for my dogs).  Last summer, I had a very serious flea problem because a family of skunks found my bird feeder; it cost me almost $700 to have three skunks removed (relocated, not killed) and a trench dug around the foundation of my kitchen extension (since they were trying to move in) to put wire through the ground, not to mention the "spring cleaning" I had to do throughout my house every three days and the Vectra I now have to use on my dogs.  "They're baaaaaaaack!"  Two suet holders were removed last night, despite the fact that I had a light on in that area, and I see first signs of digging.  WILL NEMATODES put into the soil in that area harm the wild birds I feed (year round)?  Do you have ANY suggestions regarding how to persuade these skunks to GO AWAY?  And what ground cover (plastic, etc.) can I use around my bird feeder to inhibit the growth of bird seed products and development of very rich topsoil? Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

Answer
Well, first the nematodes. I don't see any harm in putting nematodes there although I don't understand why you want to do that. Ground cover? Any plastic or fabric cover to keep seeds from germinating will work.
Skunk deterrent? Not my area of expertise. But apparently the bird feeder is attracting them. Suet is a great way to attract skunks. They are less interested in seeds but will eat them if food is otherwise scarce. $700? Lot of money. I have skunks and raccoons and opossums as well so I got a couple of live traps and trapped a bunch of them plus several feral cats for less than $100. Of course, handling live skunks is a bit tricky and is not recommended. Best left to the experts.
But as long as you have food out for the birds, you will also attract mammals. I don't know of any solution except to move the bird feeder far from the house or quit feeding the birds. The compromise position that might work is to not feed the birds in the summer - they don't need the food then anyway. You can also try not feeding the birds for a month or two and the skunks might move on. The birds will be fine.