Expert: Jonathan Wright - 9/7/2006

Question
Dear Sir,

For the past two weeks my neighbors and I have been unable to leave our windows open during the night.  The weather has started to turn cool in the Chicago suburbs where we live and that always means good sleeping!  

However, every night about 2:00 we are awakened by an overpowering skunk odor.  It is so bad it brings us all right out of our sleep!  You can see the lights go on all up and down the street.

There seems to be two distict odors, but both are skunk.  There are no food dishes left out.  The garbage cans are either in the garages or sealed.  The neighborhood is very pristine.  We just don't know what to do.  We never see the skunks.

This has never happened in our neighborhood before.  This is an old established neighborhood with no woods/construction.

Can you give any advise?  Is there something we can do to drive the skunks back to the place they came from?

I appreciate your good advise.

Many thanks,

Helen Christ

Answer
Dear Helen

Thanks for your question.

Below is information I obtained about removing the smell left by skunks and about how to repel skunks. If any of the websites below no longer exist, please contact me and I'll try and find some new information. Hopefully, the basic information is still valid.

It would be best to clean all areas affected by the smell. There are various ideas below, but the most efficient seems to be the one involving hydrogen peroxide and baking powder. but you will need to take care, or get someone else to do it, as it could adversely affect your health.  Odours affect different people in different ways. For example, I've got a poor sense of smell, but I can smell some things which other people seem to ignore. Other people can smell things quite strongly, but the same smells don't register with me - it's probably the same with somne of your visitors.

Pet stores sell several deodorizing chemicals to help dispel skunk odour in a house. The most convenient are those that can be used as a spray. Odour or lemon fragrances will dispel skunk odour, but you should read the label applications carefully. Some deodorizing chemicals are said to eliminate skunk odours, but people with respiratory problems may react to the chemicals. Common household deodorizers can be helpful in the house, especially if windows are opened and fans are used to help dispel the dour. Some deodorizers are formulated for use as shampoos on carpets, furniture or the family dog, if necessary. Some people use diluted solutions of tomato juice or vinegar to eliminate odour from people, clothing and pets.

It seems that there are no long-term health effects of skunk musk. Individual reaction to skunk musk ranges from mild irritation to severe headache, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, especially in individuals with asthma, and burning of eyes and nostrils. It doesn't seem that any diseases are transmitted through the musk.

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/sci_update.cfm?DocID=200 deals with lingering skunk smells. It states that bathing in tomato juice only masks the odour. Skunk spray contains smelly sulphur compounds (thiols), which our nose can detect in tiny concentrations. Skunk spray contains thioacetates, which decompose very slowly into thiols. You are hit with an initial blast of thiols, but also get a slow release of thiols from the thioacetates for a long time to come. That's why the smell of skunk tends to linger for so long. The spray sticks to hair, wool and paint around the walls, and will dissolve in there and slowly come out. You can wash wood with a mixture of three percent hydrogen peroxide and a quarter cup of baking soda per quart of hydrogen peroxide. You also need to add a little liquid detergent. You can wash clothes and other objects with a bleach solution. If the smell has drifted all over your house, all you can do is air it out.

http://www.humboldt.edu/~wfw2/deodorize.shtml goes into more detail about removing the smell. To neutralize or deodorize skunk spray, the chemicals in the secretion must be changed to a different type of molecule. To remove residual skunk odour from your clothes, wash them with one cup of liquid laundry bleach per gallon of water.
To clean buildings, decks etc, use a solution of liquid laundry (Chlorox) bleach (1 cup per gallon). You must take care, as it may bleach the buildings. Try it on a small area if bleaching may be a problem. The bleach must come in contact with the spot where the secretion was sprayed Repeated applications may be necessary for large amounts of the skunk spray. You must not use this on pets and it will not work for skunk spray that has drifted over a large area or is trapped in a house. Only time and adequate ventilation will help in this case.

http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/ag/wildlife/skunks.html says that skunk musk on clothing, outdoor furniture and other objects may be neutralized by a strong detergent washing followed by the liberal use of vinegar or household ammonia and a final rinse. Airing these articles on hot, sunny days will also help. To deodorize in or under buildings: maximize the ventilation and place cotton balls saturated with a few drops of a strong commercial deodorizer, or Neutroleum alpha, or oil of wintergreen.

I hope that this helps you, but please take care when using the chemicals, especially those which adversely affect your health.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06500.html has general details about skunks and how to drive skunks away.


BARRIERS
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/pests/Skunks.htm details various methods of pest control. You can screen the area with 2 inch wire mesh. Do not screen the entrance until after the skunk has gone. Sprinkle sand or flour near the entrance and look for tracks after dusk. When you are sure the skunk has left, tightly seal the opening and extend the barrier several inches below the ground to prevent the skunk from digging under it.

TRAPPING
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06500.html says that in some instances, the homeowner, a commercial pest control operator or an animal control officer may capture and remove skunks in urban areas, capture and removal may be done by a commercial pest control operator, the homeowner, or an animal control officer. Check local ordinances before using any control method.
Capture skunks in 24 x 7 x 7 inch or larger live trap baited with fish-flavoured cat food, sardines, chicken parts, bacon, eggs, Trappers Choice Skunk Paste or peanut butter on bread. Use peanut butter if cats and raccoons might also be caught. One site recommends a raccoon trap, costing about $60. Smaller traps are less expensive and reduce the chance of spraying. Wrapping the trap with a tarp, burlap, heavy plastic, sheet metal or canvas covering may entice the skunk to enter the trap. A trap cover will protect trapped animals and will help prevent you being sprayed by the skunk; this is especially important if you use a wire trap. Place the trap near the den entrance and cover the sides with a tarp to reduce the chance of the skunk spraying musk.
If you must move the trap, approach it quietly and move it gently with the tarp on it to prevent the skunk from becoming excited and spraying. State regulations require that traps are checked at least once a day.
If you wish to remove or dispose of a skunk, please contract with a licensed wildlife control company, as this may do the removal for you. Many states prohibit you from relocating the animal, and require that you kill it once you have trapped it. Relocation of wildlife usually requires permission from Fish and Wildlife authorities. Other areas offer some protection of skunks, but they may waive this if the animal is causing you problems on your own property. The skunk should be removed at least 15 miles away, but Colorado state laws do not allow you to relocate or transport a striped skunk. You must release a striped skunk at the site of capture or it must be destroyed. Spotted and hog-nosed skunks may be relocated after obtaining a permit from the Colorado Division of Wildlife. These species are protected, so you may call the Colorado Division of Wildlife at (303) 287-1192 for help in confirming identification and/or obtaining recommendations for relocating them. Some animal control officers or pest control contractors might trap and/or destroy the skunk for you.

http://www.pestproducts.com/skunks.htm suggests using a live trap called a Raccoon Trap, costing $60.00, plus S&H. You should use a trap cover to protect trapped animals and prevent a skunk from spraying you; an adult skunk can accurately hit its intended target at a range of about 10 feet (3 metres). http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page609.html also has details about traps.

http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page601.html sells live traps with covers to prevent you from being scented.  TRAPPERS CHOICE SKUNK PASTE is a strong smelling lure. You can also use GRUB BAIT. Once you trap, call your local animal control office to remove the skunk. Don't handle the skunk as some skunks carry rabies. If the law allows you to relocate the skunk, you should transport it at least 15 miles away, so it doesn't return. The site also has details about kill traps.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06500.html says you can use padded leg-hold traps and non-lethal snares on private land under certain conditions, but not on public land. You must meet certain requirements if you live in Colorado. These are as follows: The property is primarily used for commercial livestock or crop production.
·   The landowner or lessee can present on-site evidence to the Division of Wildlife that ongoing damage to livestock or crops has not been alleviated by the use of other methods.
·   A permit is required and use of traps or snares may not exceed one 30-day period per year for each parcel of private property.
·   The landowner receives approval from the Colorado Division of Wildlife prior to trapping or snaring.
·   Traps and snares are not set within 30 feet of either side of a public trail easement across private lands.
·   Traps and snares are prohibited within 30 feet of an exposed carcass of any game wildlife or domestic animal.
·   All traps and snares must be checked at least once every day.

If you obtain approval from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, ask the representative about other regulations that may apply, such as trap check frequencies.

http://www.pestproducts.com/skunks.htm Trapping:  Your other alternative is to use a humane, live trap to capture and re-locate the offending skunk.  The trap needed for this job is called a Raccoon Trap by professionals.  Each trap is $60.00, plus S&H.

Use a trap cover to protect trapped animals and to help prevent being sprayed by a trapped skunk.  Remember that an adult skunk can accurately hit its intended target at a range of about 10 feet.  Even at a distance of 15 feet the skunk's spray can still be effective, although (at that distance) it is more of a fine mist.

http://www.aaanimalcontrol.com/skunktrap.htm says you should approach a trapped skunk with caution. If the animal appears agitated, if it is stamping its front paws, or it turns its back to you and lifts its tail, get out of the way. Approach the animal in a non-alarming and non-threatening way, and you should be fine. If in doubt, before you pick up the cage, place a cloth of some sort, like a towel, over the cage as you transport the animal. If you are putting it in a vehicle, best to put it in the back of a pickup truck just in case. It's rare that a skunk will spray inside a vehicle, but it can happen from time to time. AAAnimal Control is a professional nuisance wildlife control company located in Orlando, FL It offers solutions to wildlife problems throughout the Greater Orlando area. Services include animal trapping, capture & removal, plus animal damage repairs and preventative measures. We also offer biological cleanup and many other services. Call 407-729-6946. The site also has a nationwide list of hundreds of professional wildlife control experts

CHEMICAL CONTROL
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06500.html says that statutes and regulations do not permit the use of toxicants or fumigants to control skunks. There are no chemicals registered to control skunks. If you control insect prey, you may eliminate the skunk's digging problem. http://www.pestproducts.com/skunks.htm says that smell repellents such as moth balls or Rid-A-Critter act as skunk deterrents, but rarely work if a skunk has established itself in a territory. If skunks are feeding on food growing on your property or raiding your garbage bins, you can apply Ropel directly to any object the skunks like to smell or taste. Repeat applications might be necessary to discourage stubborn animals. Combine Ropel with Rid-A-Critter for multiple animals or stubborn problems with wildlife.

http://www.pestproducts.com/skunks.htm says that smell repellents such as moth balls or Rid-A-Critter (a professional repellent) are only effective as a skunk deterrent, but rarely work once a skunk has established itself in a territory, which seems to be the case around your house. You can apply Ropel directly to any object the skunks like to smell or taste.  Repeat applications might be necessary to discourage stubborn animals.  Combine Ropel with Rid-A-Critter for multiple animals or stubborn problems with wildlife.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06500.html  says that if you find a skunk  found under a building, encourage it to leave by placing generous amounts of mothballs in cloth bags, or ammonia-soaked cloths under the building. Attach the bags or cloths to a string so they can be removed later. To determine if the animal has left, sprinkle a layer of flour at the entrance to make the direction of the tracks visible. Because skunks are nocturnal, check the area for tracks a few hours after dark. Once the animal is gone, seal the entrance to prevent further occurrences. If there is doubt regarding how many skunks are under the building, use a one-way, 1/4-inch hardware cloth door. The door, hinged at the top, should extend beyond the entrance and outward at the base at a right angle for about 6 inches. This design enables skunks to push their way out, but their weight on the door prevents them from re-entering.

DETERRING SKUNKS
http://www.buginfo.com/furryguys/skunks1.cfm and http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06500.html give advice about how to deter skunks from visiting your home.
1. Keep pet food indoors and do not leave any food outside. If there is access to pet food in the garage through a doggie door, close the door at night or remove the food.
2. Cover trash containers and secure the lids, so they do not fall off if the container tips over.
3. Don't leave plastic trash bags outside. Use tightly sealed metal garbage cans; skunks can chew through plastic containers.
4. Change automatic sprinkler settings regularly. http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page601.html suggests putting MOTION ACTIVATED WATER SPRAYERS along trails used by skunks. This device works by using water supplied by a garden hose. When the unit detects motion from the target animal, it activates the sprinkler head to fire a three second blast of water. The water and the spray will scare them away and they will avoid your garden after a couple of sprayings.
5. Eliminate garbage, debris, lumber piles and other places that skunks can hide in or under. Store lumber or firewood at least 18 inches above the ground.
6. Check fencing and eliminate access points into the yard. Seal the house by ensuring all vent screens are in place and in good condition make sure the access opening is closed securely. Ensure you make repairs after the skunks have left the enclosed area. Install fencing that extends 1 to 2 feet below ground and seal foundation openings to prevent skunks from denning under buildings.
7. Clear dense vegetation and thin out the lower 18 inches of landscaping shrubbery. Pick all ripe fruits and vegetables as soon as they are ripe and clean up fallen fruits or unwanted vegetables quickly.
8. Exclude entry to areas below decking, porches, or outside sheds using hardware cloth or chicken wire fencing. Place the wire into the soil at least 8 inches deep and 10 inches laterally below the soil, extending away from the structure.
9. Mothball scattering and ammonia-soaked cloths serve as a temporary repellent, but may encourage skunks to leave an area like the crawl space. Bright lighting will also chase them from dens.
10. Elevate beehives about 3 feet and place a smooth sheet of metal at the base to make them inaccessible.
11. Life-like owl figures (scare crows) are sometimes effective. Ultrasonic repelling devices are of little value. They annoy the skunk initially, but animals will quickly become accustomed to a new sound that does not harm them, and begin to ignore it.
12. Install motion-sensitive spotlights in garden areas, as the sudden bright light alarms the animals.
13. Eliminate turf pest insects such as white grubs, to reduce the food supply available to the skunk on your property.
14. ULTRA SOUND DEVICES may deter skunks.

http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page601.html suggests reducing the local insect and grub levels by spreading  DELTA GUARD GRANULES over your turf, using a GRANULE SPREADER or a regular fertilizer spreader. These granules usually last 2-3 months per application and will filter through the soil to kill insects as they develop. Delta Guard will also reduce any insects that are active on topsoil as they crawl over treated areas. You should also use a hose end sprayer to apply CYFLUTHRIN to kill the insects.

The site also suggests using SKUNK REPELLENT granules to repel the skunk. You should apply this in cheese cloth or nylon pantyhose when using it in confined areas, so you can remove the container and granules if need be. Place these sacks where the animals are active. GRANULE GUARDS protect the granules from the rain and sun, so they last
longer. The guard is filled with granules and is placed in the ground or laid flat. You can also spray Ropel liquid over garbage and plants. It tastes bitter, but avoid spraying fruit or vegetable parts. Ropel lasts 2-6 weeks - depending on local rainfall.

http://www.critter-repellent.com/skunk/skunk-repellant.php is an advertising site for skunk repellent.

http://www.bugspray.com/articles99/skunk.html gives more details about skunk control. It goes into great details about chemicals to eliminate insect prey or for deterring skunks from visiting your property. It also gives details of ways to eliminate the smell of skunk spray. You can contact the company on 770.985.9388. I have incorporated the information about traps into the appropriate section.

If you see a skunk walking around in the daytime, particularly if its behaviour seems to be erratic, if it is acting unusually tame or unusually aggressive, or just wandering aimlessly, you must leave it alone and contact animal control authorities. This behaviour is symptomatic of an animal infected with rabies. Do not go near the animal and avoid your pets getting near it.

Please take care with some of the information listed above. It may be best to restrict the movements of the cats, especially if you use baits that may attract the cats. Otherwise you may trap the cats or make them ill. As cats eat some of the foods also eaten by cats, I think it's best to keep the cats indoors until you are sure that the skunks have been removed.

I hope this helps you with your skunk problem and apologise for any repetition contained within this information.

All the best

Jonathan