Summary
Skunks live all over Southern California, including Seal Beach. Seeing one is normal and usually not a police or animal control matter. Skunks come out around dusk to look for food. They are not usually aggressive, but a mother with young kits may act defensive. If you see a skunk, stay calm, keep pets leashed or inside, and back away slowly. Do not chase, feed, trap, or handle it. Skunks warn you before they spray by stomping, hissing, raising their tail, or turning their back. To keep skunks away, bring pet food indoors, close your trash cans, pick up fallen fruit, and block gaps under decks, sheds, and your house. If a pet gets sprayed, tomato juice does not work. The CSULB Mammal Lab recommends one quart of hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup of baking soda, and one teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Mix it fresh, use it right away, and never store it in a closed container. Do not use bleach on people or pets. Call the Seal Beach Police Department if a skunk looks sick or injured, is trapped, is acting unusually aggressive, or is an immediate safety problem. For a skunk living under a structure, hire a licensed wildlife exclusion or pest control professional.