Here we have two somewhat similar looking stinky creatures that use foul malodorous spray to fend off things they don’t like. Both striped polecats and skunks have coarse black fur with white spots and stripes. These thick-bodied animals all have long tails, short limbs and long claws used for digging in dirt. Skunks lack speed, so they don’t even attempt to outrun their attackers (or a simple dog barking). As an alternative, they depend on on their reeking spray for defence. The overpowering liquid is a mix of sulphuric chemicals which they can spray precisely at attackers 2 to 3 metres away, with the obscene odour reaching up to a couple kilometers away. Skunks don’t really like to use their spray as their body only stores enough chemicals for about seven sprays and require seven days to replenish it. The striped polecat or zorrilla is actually a member of the weasel family, and they also use a well aimed, rank spray to deter any predators. Their spray can be smelled up to kilometer away.
Go Green Pest Control owner Randy Bilesky is a long-time South Delta resident. Trained and certified, Bilesky has first-hand knowledge of the pest problems that local homeowners and business owners encounter.
