Skunk Information

New Neighbors Stink!

That is what residents in several parts of town are saying and the neighbors in question certainly do have an odor. Skunks! The skunk population in Doylestown Borough is booming.

Skunks are omnivores that normally eat a huge variety of foods such as insects, berries, and even small rodents and reptiles.  They favor grubs and bees, but will eat almost anything available, including garbage and pet food. Most skunks are not afraid of people or domestic animals. The only natural skunk predator in this area is the Great Horned Owl, which is not particularly fond of the town environment. Skunks like warm dry spots to den such as under porches and in rarely used sheds. They will breed in the late winter and can have as many as ten babies in a litter. It is easy to see why skunks like Doylestown so much. Doylestown is paradise found for these critters: easy plentiful food, places to hide, and no predators.

Residents report having trapped more than 10 little stinkers so far this year, so we are asking all residents to take some simple steps to make the area less attractive for skunks.

As stated, Skunks are drawn to Doylestown mostly by the presence of easy food sources such as  garbage, pet food and grubs. Skunks can smell food from quite far away and can easily tear through plastic bags. Once they find an area of plentiful food they look for a place to stay.

Put trash in trash cans and keep the lids on the cans.
Do not feed pets outdoors. If you must, remove the food as soon as your pet is done.

Control the grub and other insects, as well as mice and rodents.
Store firewood tightly stacked and on a rack that elevates it.
Seal openings in foundations, porches, and sheds so skunks and other critters don't den in them.

If you are having trouble with skunks around your house, you can contact the Borough to have someone come out and assist you in identifying ways you can make your property less attractive to skunks

Gypsy Moth Information

The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, a native of Europe and Asia, was accidentally released near Boston in the lat 1860’s.  Since then it has spread through out many areas of the North East United States despite continuing efforts to eradicate it.  The moth lays eggs in the summer which over winter and hatch in May. The caterpillars hatch and then voraciously consume tree leaves, to the point of weakening or even killing the tree.

Over the past few years the Borough has been working to control infestations of gypsy moths and it appears that for the most part the program has been successful. Our arborist has examined many trees over the winter and we are hoping that the lack of viable eggs that we are seeing is evidence of our success I the fight against the gypsy moth.

Borough residents can help protect Borough trees by taking the following steps.

• Watch your trees for signs of infestation and contact us if you find evidence of any of the following:

  • Before May  - Look for egg masses on tree trunks, branches, firewood, or in a sheltered spot, even on lawn furniture. They look like tan fuzzy patched about two inches long.
  • After May -  Look for the caterpillars, they get to be about two inches long and they have five pairs of raised blue spots followed by six pairs of raised red spots along back. 
  • In July and August: Check for the moths.  Females do not fly and they are white with brown markings. Males are brown.

  Additional actions you can take:

  • Once an egg mass is confirmed as gypsy moth eggs, destroy egg masses before May.
  • Purchase commercial traps or contact us to learn how to make traps to catch the caterpillars.
  • Pesticides may harm beneficial insects, children and pets, so use only after consulting a professional.

  Don’t confuse the native tent caterpillars and web worms with gypsy moths. Gypsy moths who do not make tents in trees.  You may see Borough staff or arborists out checking the trees in your area as we monitor for areas where there are gypsy moths in evidence. We will be taking actions to control them as they are found but your help is essential to our staying ahead of these infestations and protecting our trees.

  
  
  
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