More skunks are on the loose this fall on Southeast campus

Walking around Southeast Missouri State University this fall, especially late at night or early in the morning, students may encounter a skunk or two.

The nocturnal animals, known for their ability to emit strong odors, are common on campus and have been spotted recently on Greek Hill.

Julia Bommarito, a senior living in the Delta Delta Delta house, said she has had three close encounters with a skunk this semester.

"The closest I've been is about 10 or 12 feet from him," Bommarito said. "When you approach him, he kind of like scampers forward, looks at you and then bolts away."

Dennis Koeberl, pest control technician for Facilities Management, handles all animal- and insect-related issues at Southeast. This year alone, seven work orders have been submitted for getting rid of skunks. Houck Stadium, College Hill, the University Center and Greek Hill are areas that have sent in the orders.

"They're all over campus," Koeberl said. "They're out for bugs and food ... anything, you know? If you have a get-together where you have food and stuff, they'll come around looking for scraps."

When a work order is sent to Facilities Management, building maintenance supervisor Terry Major reviews them. If the order is pest-related, he passes it along to Koeberl. Live traps then are set with cat food or tuna inside to lure in a skunk. The traps are covered in carpet so when they are retrieved, the animal inside doesn't see and cannot spray the worker.

After the animals are caught, they are taken to a conservation area or farm and released.

Koeberl said he has caught five skunks so far this year, with two from the Greek Hill area. Now that another has been spotted in the area, he said he will set a new trap.

"The skunk is pretty infamous; everyone knows about him. He's not a vigilante, because he's not really doing anything," Bommarito said, laughing, "but [he's] definitely a Greek Hill mascot."

She said she has seen the skunk hanging out on the porches of several of the houses and has heard stories of people being chased by the skunk.

"One time, I saw a few kids on Greek Hill throw a volleyball at it, I guess just to see what it would do, but it kind of ignored them," Bommarito said. "I think he kind of keeps to himself. He's pretty harmless."

Koeberl and Major agree skunks are mostly harmless and to their knowledge there have never been any incidents of someone being sprayed by the animals. But people shouldn't taunt them.

"Students should just avoid them, ignore them," Koeberl said. "Don't be throwing anything at them, because that's when they're going to spray. Just leave them be, and they'll move on."