The skunks are looking for food and you probably have a source they like, grubs. What the store tried to sell you was a poison that would kill the grubs, and if they told you it would disolve the grubs I would tend to not go there again because of that misinformation. You could use the sprinkler, but the skunk may not like getting wet and might leave a calling card that is not pleasant. Check your garden for grub population by digging a hole 1 foot square and about 4 inches deep and count the number of grubs you find. 5 or less is not much of a problem that really would need control while 10 will indicate the need to use some means of control. Bacillus popilliae, Milky Spore Disease, is one means of control specific to those grubs. Parasitic nematodes are another means of control. Both should be applied in mid July to early August so the are inplace when the eggs that Ma Beetle lays hatch out.

Let's see. :) The lilac needs 6-8 hours of sun to bloom. It will probably skip the year after transplant, though, to reestablish. Also, they bloom on old wood, so be careful about pruning. Digging them out will vary in difficulty. They're old, but spindly because they're not getting enough sun now. I think big sections could come out, along with many of their sprouts. These are 18'' + tall. The hydrangea might need an upper-body-strong, large human, a chain saw, or a bush hog to get it out. I'm thinking even of chopping it down into the ground to take it and some roots out by sections. As far as how far from the house? I think it would depend upon the direction of the sun. They'll grow towards it and not out behind where the shade falls. One vote for either day.... check! C.

Hi Linda I know this is a little late commenting on this post, but I just came across it. I have the same thing happen to me all the time. First off I'm saying skunks because this is always done overnight and squirrels aren't night critters I don't think. Plus we have skunks out here almost nightly. This year alone I've had many of my glads dug up and just pushed to the side,and two perennials I put in. I've just gotten used to going out first thing in the morning the first couple of days after I plant anything in the ground and see what's been dug up. I also end up putting large rocks around singular plants I plant and cover big area's of planting seeds or what not with a light leaf mulch..... My question is, could they be attacted to the fertilizer I'm putting down which is a mixture of 2 parts Pro Grow, 1 part green sand, and 1 part rock phosphate? Although just the other day we put in a shepard hook and dug up the area around the hook and the next a.m. there was 6 to 8 holes all over the area we had been digging. So maybe fresh dug up area's attact certain critters the skunks like to eat. The reason I ask about them eating the fertilizer is because I catch my cat and the neighbors cats eating the fertilizer I put down all the time. Doesn't seem like that would be good for them, but I can't be there to monitor what they do when I'm gone. Anyhow I guess the good thing is as long as they don't break the stems of the freshly put in plant it's not that bad. All I do is replant it. Now the woodchucks I have do much more damage, but that's another subject all it's own. Just wanted to let you know you aren't the only one dealing with this problem.

Most beneficial nematode packages contain more than one species. As a matter of fact, both species you mention are extremely similar and are likely to be packaged together along with a few others. Be sure to read and understand with certainty what you are purchasing and that it is intended for grubs. The directions should clearly tell you how many to use in a given amount of space. The label will also tell you that the soil must be warmish (68F is ideal) before you apply these nematodes and that sunlight can kill them. Your soil should be moist in advance, and free from mulch or other debris. You want to apply the nemas directly to the soil surface. Be sure to order your nematodes,fresh, from a reputable source, one that provides plenty of educational information on how to store the nematodes once you receive them, how to apply them, when to apply, how often, etc. Have you found a good place to purchase them, yet? Let us know what you find out.