Skunks are living in our yard. We haven’t seen them, but have smelled them repeatedly. My neighbor found a den near our shared property line. Skunks are actually non-aggressive beneficial creatures, if you can get past the stench. The National Humane Society writes on their website “A gentle species rarely worth raising a stink over (https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-skunks).” Skunks eat many insects and rodents, including ground squirrel young, mice, voles and moles. While we can treat a skunk with respect and keep our distance, the same is not true for dogs, who often get sprayed when they approach a skunk or den with too much assertiveness. And skunks really become problematic when they live under houses, sheds, in garages and the like. Yet, skunks rarely use their spray defense, unless threatened or they feel their young are in danger, because it takes quite a while for them to recharge their arsenal. If, however, you or your pets get sprayed, here is the Humane Society remedy “that’s safe for dogs, cats and humans: Mix: 1 quart of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide (available at any pharmacy) 1/4 cup baking soda 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap Wearing rubber gloves, wash with this solution immediately after the spraying occurs. DO NOT get the solution in eyes. (If you don't have peroxide, baking soda, and liquid soap on hand, use vinegar diluted with water.) Caution: Do NOT store this mixture or make it ahead of time, as the mixture could explode if left in a bottle. Rub the mixture all over and scrub deep to neutralize the odor — however, if you’re washing your dog or cat, don’t leave the mixture on longer than you have to as peroxide can bleach fur. Rinse the solution off thoroughly, and the smell should be gone. Repellants include “used kitty litter placed near or inside the den to one side so the skunk has to pass them to get out and commercial or homemade capsaicin or castor oil repellents. Avoid buying skunk deterrents that are based on predator urine — these products are created under inhumane conditions, and are not necessary to repel skunks effectively.” Unfortunately, skunks are primary carriers of the rabies virus. The Humane Society website states “Even though skunks are mostly active at night, they sometimes look for food by day — particularly in the spring, when they have young and may be extra hungry. Don’t be concerned if you see an adult skunk in the daytime unless they are also showing abnormal behaviors: Limb paralysis. Circling. Boldness or unprovoked aggression. Disorientation, staggering. Uncharacteristic tameness. Don’t approach the skunk yourself. Call your local animal control officer, health department, or police department for assistance.” For information on skunks go to the University of California, Davis website: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74118.html. JoAnne Skelly is associate professor & extension educator emerita at University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
