How do you get rid of a skunk?

Physical appearance

The striped skunk is a mammal belonging to the Mustelidae family. It measures between 50 and 80 cm in length and can weigh up to 5 kg as an adult. It has a head smaller than a cat's and a long, bushy tail. Its black fur is characterized by two oval-shaped white stripes that originate at the base of the tail and meet at the nape of the neck. A white groove is visible between its forehead and muzzle. The skunk has long, straight claws that help it dig in the grass and tear through wood to find grubs and worms.

Lifestyle

Skunks typically live in forests, meadows, and pastures. They can also invade our homes when conditions are favorable. This small mammal likes to build its den in hollow tree trunks, under a garden shed, garage, or cellar. They also take advantage of burrows abandoned by other pests such as moles and rats. These burrows are often well-structured, with multiple openings and tunnels forming a veritable underground gallery. Skunks use leaves for their nests and to seal the openings when they shelter in them during the winter.

Skunks may venture out during the day to forage, but they are most active from late afternoon until late at night, making them nocturnal animals. In search of food, they can travel up to 2 km around their den, and males can even cover 8 km in a single night!

Skunks breed in the spring. After the male leaves, the female remains pregnant for 60 to 70 days and gives birth to 6 to 10 pups, each about 15 cm long and weighing 30 g. After two months, the young skunks begin to leave their mother to find their own food.

Food

The skunk is omnivorous. Its diet includes a wide variety of insects (wasps, bees, larvae), mice, shrews, bird eggs, reptiles, squirrels, baby rabbits, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. In autumn and winter, its diet is equally carnivorous and vegetarian, while in summer it consists mainly of insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and worm larvae.

Generally, the skunk is a solitary, peaceful, and non-aggressive animal. However, when threatened, it may react by emitting a few grunts, stamping the ground with its front paws, or hissing. If the threat persists, it sprays a yellowish, oily, and foul-smelling liquid, hence its nickname "stink bug."

A skunk can expel up to six consecutive jets of musk. This musk, secreted by two anal glands, can travel up to six meters and cause burning eyes, temporary blindness, and nausea. The odor can be carried by the wind for up to a kilometer!

Although 70% of its diet consists of insects and small harmful pests, a skunk infestation in homes and farms can cause several problems:

• They damage the lawn by digging conical holes similar to those made by raccoons and moles.
• They are rummaging through the garbage.
• They attack chicken coops to steal eggs.
• They can carry the rabies virus.

An unpleasant odor is the most obvious sign. However, this criterion should not be relied upon solely, as the odor could originate from a nearby neighborhood.

Other clues confirm their presence:

• Conical holes 7 to 10 cm in diameter and 3 to 5 cm deep.
• Small mounds of earth resulting from their excavation.
• Black excrement measuring 4 to 8 cm containing fragments of insects and seeds.

Whether you want to prevent this smelly creature from invading your property or drive it away, we offer the following advice:

Ground maintenance

1. Seal all holes and access points that could serve as shelter for skunks with chicken wire.
2. Eliminate or isolate anything that might attract them, such as piles of wood.
3. Treat your land regularly against larvae, white grubs and other insects that can be a food source for them.
4. Spray the burrows with a jet of water to discourage them from settling there. Using sprinklers can also scare them away.
5. Clean your bins to avoid any source of attractive odor and close them tightly.
6. Collect the fruit that has fallen from the trees.
7. Avoid the accumulation of leaves and green waste.
8. Install spotlights and motion detectors.
9. Use an ultrasonic repellent.

Biological methods

1. Plant repellent flowers such as daffodils, fritillaries or hyacinths.
2. Spray diluted vinegar (one part vinegar to three parts water) in areas likely to be frequented by skunks.
3. Place human hair in their hiding places to block their access points.

Contrary to popular belief, tomato juice is not effective in eliminating skunk odor.

Eliminating skunk odor from clothes

Wash them with detergent and half a cup of baking soda. Repeat the wash if necessary, being careful not to discolor your clothes.

Eliminate the skunk smell from the air

To eliminate the smell of a skunk in your home, it is recommended to wash the affected area using a bleach solution (one cup per 4.5 liters of water) and rinse immediately to prevent discoloration of walls and furniture. Boiling vinegar is also advised to eliminate any lingering odor in the air.

Eliminate skunk odor from your body and your pet

Take a shower, lathering your skin with a hydrogen peroxide solution (1 liter of 3% hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of dish soap, and water as needed) for a few minutes or until the lather disappears. Then, continue your shower as usual.

For your pet, you can prepare this mixture: one liter of hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup of baking soda, and a tablespoon of liquid soap. Avoid getting this solution in their eyes and thoroughly wash your dog or cat's fur.

As mentioned previously, skunks can cause significant problems if they find suitable living conditions in your home. Therefore, it's best to hire aprofessional extermination companyto ensure a safe and effective intervention. For more information or toplan a pest control and/or elimination program, please don't hesitate tocontact us.