13 Reasons Skunks Are Secretly Beneficial to Your Lawn

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For most homeowners, the word ‘skunk’ brings to mind images of bad smells and horrific backyard run ins. Of course, it’s understandable why you’d want to avoid these critters, but before you run them off, let’s take a second to give skunks their due. Often misunderstood creatures, these creatures provide some surprising benefits to your lawn.

The animal kingdom’s unassuming heroes, skunks, take care of business and other things while we sleep. Beneath that striped, waddling exterior, are a versatile ally. How? Let’s find out how these little stinkers could be your lawn’s best friend.

Natural Pest Control

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Skunks will help if your lawn is infested with grubs, beetles and all sorts of creepy crawlers. They are opportunistic feeders, and their nocturnal foraging reduces populations of destructive insects. According to a ResearchGate study, skunks help control beetle larvae populations, so that your grass isn’t damaged from the roots down.

Aerating Your Lawn

Skunks may occasionally leave small holes as they dig for food, but those small holes are actually good for your lawn. Aeration of the soil with these mini excavations means that the soil will absorb water and nutrients better. Consider it nature’s way of helping out your yard by doing a little TLC without you pulling out the heavy equipment.

Reducing Weed Growth

Weed seeds are also eaten by skunks when they go out on their nightly hunts. When they eat these seeds, it’s a natural way to keep unwanted plants from spreading throughout your yard. It’s like having your own personal night shift secret gardener while you sleep.

Promoting Healthy Soil

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Not only do skunks aerate, they also mix organic matter into the soil. This process involves spreading nutrients and activating microbial life. The result? Richer, more fertile ground for your grass to grow on.

Providing Free Fertilizer

Yes, you read that right. Droppings left by skunks work as a natural fertilizer for your lawn. They bring nitrogen and other nutrients to the party in their waste, which helps keep your grass healthy without you having to lift a finger, or buy a bag of store-bought fertilizer.

Encouraging Earthworms

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It’s not only your lawn that benefits from skunks’ digging — it also attracts earthworms. These worms are nature’s soil engineers which enrich the earth by their burrowing and by their waste. Having more worms will make for healthier soil, which means greener grass.

Deterring Rodents

Though you wouldn’t necessarily think of skunks as rodent deterrents, the presence of the animals can scare off mice and rats. Having a skunk on patrol will mean these pests are less likely to make your yard their home. It’s kind of like having a cute, albeit stinky, bouncer for your property.

Balancing the Ecosystem

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Your local ecosystem is balanced in part by skunks. According to a Publication, their diet consist of insect and small rodent populations which helps maintain a natural order, to the benefit of your lawn as well as that of the plants and animals that live there.

Low Maintenance Visitors

Skunks are relatively low impact visitors unlike many other critters. Unlike raccoons or squirrels, they don’t chew on structures, make deep burrows, or wreck havoc. They come, they eat, they go – not bad for your yard.

They Rarely Spray

The thing is skunks aren’t like their reputation would have you believe, they don’t just go and spray willy-nilly. In fact, they are quite shy, and will only release their famous odor as a defense mechanism of their last resort. If you leave them be, they’re quite happy to keep their perfume to themselves.

Helping Other Pollinators

Skunks also help indirectly to protect insects such as bees and butterflies, by munching on noxious pests. These pollinators help to keep the health of your garden and plants around your lawn.

Curb Slugs and snails

Ever battled a slug or snail infestation – you know how frustrating they can be. These slimy pests are lovingly feasted on by skunks, saving your plants and flowers from being destroyed.

Educational Opportunities

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Finally, skunks are good subjects to help teach kids and adults alike about the importance of biodiversity. Seeing them from a secure distance can begin discussions about how each animal possesses a function, even when they are stinky.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.