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Learn why skunks spray, how often they can spray, and how to stop a skunk from spraying
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When you find yourself in a standoff with a skunk, there’s one question on your mind. How far can that skunk spray? We'll answer this question for you and so much more. From skunk baths, to avoiding skunk spray, to ridding your home of the smelly little critters for good—read on for everything you need to know. Next time you encounter one of these furry stink bombs, you’ll be ready.
This article is based on an interview with our certified commercial pesticide applicator pest control specialist, Chris Parker. Check out the full interview here.
Things You Should Know
- Most skunks can accurately spray from about 15 ft (4.6 m) away.
- Skunk spray can travel very far when it’s windy, so you might smell it up to 1 mi (1.6 km) away.
- Skunks can only spray about 5 to 6 times in a row, and their spray is their only defense against predators, so they don’t want to spray you.
- A skunk will only spray you if it feels threatened, so quietly walk away from a skunk if you encounter one in the wild.
Steps
Section 5 of 7:
Avoiding Skunk Spray
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Pay attention to the warning skunk's give before they spray. Skunks want to save their spray because it takes time to replenish it. In the meantime, they’re in danger from possible predators. To give you time to retreat, they’ll stomp their little feet, arch their back, and lift their tail. You might also hear a high-pitched screeching sound. [10] X Trustworthy Source Penn State Extension Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source
- Skunks stomp both of their front feet at the same time, and it sounds like a “tap, tap, tap.” You might also hear grass or leaves crunching.
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Leave the skunk alone. It’s very unlikely that a skunk will spray you, unless it feels threatened. If you see a skunk, do your best to stay quiet and slow down so the skunk knows you’re not a threat. Then, move slowly away from it so it’s less likely to react.
- Skunks are afraid of loud noises, so be as quiet as possible.
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Section 6 of 7:
Dogs & Skunk Spray
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Dogs scare skunks, so they’re more prone to getting sprayed. Your pup is everything a skunk hates. Dogs are a larger animal, and their barks and growls are noisy. Worse, your dog is likely going to want to meet the skunk—and might even mistake it for a toy. A skunk will spray your dog if it’s afraid. [11] X Research source
- Even the friendliest dogs can lunge at skunks. Tell your dog to “heel” or “stay” to stop it from lunging.
- Before your pup goes out to pee, turn on your outdoor lights and wait a minute. Skunks hate bright lights, so they might skedaddle before encountering your dog. [12] X Trustworthy Source State of Massachusetts Official website for the State of Massachusetts Go to source
- While you should be quiet if you see a skunk, being loud gives them time to run and hide before you meet. If you're walking your dog in wooded areas, make some noise! [13] X Research source
- Skunk spray may cause eye irritation, but it won't cause any lasting harm to your dog.
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Give your pup a skunk bath to get rid of the odor. Use a skunk shampoo that’s formulated for dogs or make one yourself. It’s safe to use the odor neutralizer we mentioned earlier on your dog. Once you give your pup a quick bath , their smell will improve a ton. [14] X Research source
- To make the odor neutralizer, you mix 1 qt (950 mL) of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup (45 g) of baking soda, and 1 to 2 tsp (4.9 to 9.9 mL) of liquid dish soap in an open container. Use the solution immediately.
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Section 7 of 7:
Getting Rid of Skunks
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Remove trash and pet food because they attract skunks. Skunks are a lot like raccoons. They love to munch on your trash and steal your pet’s kibble. It’s time to cut off the all-you-can-eat critter buffet outside your home. Start securing your trash can lid to make sure the skunks can’t get inside. Additionally, feed your pets inside or pick up uneaten food after a few minutes. [15] X Trustworthy Source Penn State Extension Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source
- Skunks also dig up bugs to eat, so treat your yard for pests if the skunks don’t go away. [16] X Research source
- Once the skunks realize their food source is gone, they’ll mosey on over to someone else’s trash heap.
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Look for skunk activity under buildings, wood piles, or the ground. Skunks are nocturnal and prefer to live in cramped, dark places. They usually don’t make their own burrows, so they live under homes or sheds, under wood piles, or in other animals’ abandoned burrows. Look for skunks under the buildings on your property. [17] X Research source
- If you can smell skunks but not see them, follow your nose to see if it leads you to a skunk hidey hole.
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Annoy the skunk with lights and noise until it leaves. Skunks really want to be left alone, so they’ll up and move if you’re bothering them. Use noise and flashing bright lights to irritate the skunk. During the day, shine a flashlight into the skunk’s hidey hole periodically. Additionally, set a radio next to the hole because the sound will bother the skunk. [18] X Research source
- After a few days of your harassment, the skunk will likely move out to pursue a more peaceful home.
- It’s best to leave the skunk alone during late spring or summer. That’s when skunks have babies, and they need their mother. If you evict the momma skunk, the babies will die. Oh, the smell!
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Make sure the skunk is gone before you seal off their hidey hole. Stuff newspaper into all of the open spaces around the skunk’s home. Check the newspaper daily to see if it looks moved. If it’s been disturbed, your skunk is likely still living in its hidey hole. If the paper is still in place, congrats! Your skunk is officially evicted! [19] X Research source
- Keep stuffing the paper into the holes until your skunk is gone.
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Cover and seal all openings around your home's foundation. Skunks love to live under homes and sheds because they’re very cozy. They’ll make themselves right at home under your porch or under your back stairs. Eliminate their hidey holes by covering them with mesh, wood, plastic, or concrete. [20] X Trustworthy Source Penn State Extension Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source
- For a decorative option, install some lattice work around the base of your home.
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Call a local wildlife pest control operator if the skunk won’t leave. Don’t try to trap a skunk yourself because that’s a recipe for a big, stinky disaster. You’ll likely get sprayed, as will your home. Plus, you can’t legally dispose of a skunk in most areas. Play it safe by calling in an expert pest control operator. [21] X Trustworthy Source Penn State Extension Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source
- Once the skunk is gone, remember to seal off those entryways so another one doesn’t move in.
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Tips
- Baby skunks start releasing spray as young as 8 days old, and they can spray at just 1 month old. [22] X Research sourceThanks
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- A deceased skunk can emit spray as it dies. You can usually tell if skunk spray came from a dead skunk because the smell will get worse rather than better. This happens because the skunk is decomposing and the smells are mixing together to form a truly heinous odor. [24] X Research sourceThanks
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Warnings
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- In many areas, it’s illegal to trap or kill a skunk unless you have a trapper’s license.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://wildlife.unl.edu/pdfs/removing-skunk-odor.pdf
- ↑ https://www.esf.edu/aec/adks/mammals/striped_skunk.htm
- ↑ https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-News-Releases/ArticleID/1699/Cool-things-you-should-know-about-skunks-yes-skunks
- ↑ https://wildlife.unl.edu/pdfs/removing-skunk-odor.pdf
- ↑ https://wildlife.unl.edu/pdfs/removing-skunk-odor.pdf
- ↑ https://wildlife.unl.edu/pdfs/removing-skunk-odor.pdf
- ↑ https://www.esf.edu/aec/adks/mammals/striped_skunk.htm
- ↑ https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-News-Releases/ArticleID/1699/Cool-things-you-should-know-about-skunks-yes-skunks
- ↑ https://www.esf.edu/aec/adks/mammals/striped_skunk.htm
- ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/skunks-solutions-to-common-problems
- ↑ https://www.wildlifecenter.org/skunks-neighbors
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-skunks
- ↑ https://www.wildlifecenter.org/skunks-neighbors
- ↑ http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74118.html
- ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/skunks-solutions-to-common-problems
- ↑ https://www.esf.edu/aec/adks/mammals/striped_skunk.htm
- ↑ https://www.esf.edu/aec/adks/mammals/striped_skunk.htm
- ↑ https://www.esf.edu/aec/adks/mammals/striped_skunk.htm
- ↑ https://www.wildlifecenter.org/skunks-neighbors
- ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/skunks-solutions-to-common-problems
- ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/skunks-solutions-to-common-problems
- ↑ https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-News-Releases/ArticleID/1699/Cool-things-you-should-know-about-skunks-yes-skunks
- ↑ https://health.frederickcountymd.gov/370/Human-Exposure
- ↑ https://wildlife.unl.edu/pdfs/removing-skunk-odor.pdf
- ↑ https://www.esf.edu/aec/adks/mammals/striped_skunk.htm
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