Skunks are beneficial critters. They are omnivorous and eat a variety of garden pests, including mice, voles, beetles, various larvae, wasps and crickets.
Skunks are also scavengers. They will seek out animal carcasses, which helps keep an ecosystem free of carrion. Scavengers are important to the health of the environment.
Skunks live everywhere, from the desert to the city. They are a part of life, but it is easy to reduce the risk of an encounter.
Walking dogs on shorter leashes, keeping your trash secured and pet food cleaned up, making noise and turning on exterior lights a few minutes before letting your dogs in the yard (give skunks a chance to toddle off), can go a long way in reducing the chance of an encounter.
However, they also have a not so pleasant side. Anyone who has had a pet get “skunked” certainly knows this! Skunks spray as a form of defense. Since they are slow and do not climb, skunks evolved a way to drive predators away.
Before spraying, a skunk will begin stamping his feet, doing elaborate “handstands,” raising and shaking his tail, turning in a U shape (tail and face toward the threat) and dancing about.
Unless a skunk is startled and lets that spray fly, you or a pet gets “skunked” because warnings were ignored. For a skunk, spraying is a last resort.
Striped skunks can spray several times, but that noxious arsenal will run out. Once depleted, it can take up to 10 days before the skunk is capable of spraying again. During this time, the skunk is vulnerable. Sadly, many pet dogs do not realize the warning signs preceding a blast. This can lead to, well, a stinky mess for you.
The next steps taken, post-blast, should be based in science. Here is a quick skunk secretion chemistry lesson.
The noxious secretions that are fired from a gland at the base of the critter’s tail is composed of thiols and are basically a sulfur and hydrogen atom bonded together.
The spray is not water soluble. Once it hits something, it can cling for some time — with the smell lingering possibly for weeks. The spray is not only smelly but can cause damage to mucous membranes and temporary blindness, and rarely a form of anemia — like that which develops when dogs eat onions and garlic. If the symptoms are not recognized, death is possible.
A popular way to address skunked dog is with tomato juice. According to “Chemistry of Skunk Spray” by William F. Wood, the reason we assume tomato juice works to nullify the smell is olfactory fatigue. The smell is still there but we do not detect it. Instead, we detect the tomato juice. Ditch the tomato juice and go for the science.
A recommended treatment is 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda (not baking powder; they are different chemically) and 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap. This mixture will help break down the oils and chemically neutralize the odor. Do not mix this up for future use as the container can explode.
Alternatively, use a commercially available product containing neutroleum alpha.There are several websites recommending an essential oil mix. Several of the oils recommended, including tea tree, can be toxic to dogs and cats, even in the amounts recommended.
Karen Peak is the developer of The Safe Kids/Safe Dogs Project and owner/operator of West Wind Dog Training in Prince William County.
FAQs
Skunks are beneficial critters. They are omnivorous and eat a variety of garden pests, including mice, voles, beetles, various larvae, wasps and crickets.
Are skunks beneficial for anything? ›
Skunks are beneficial to farmers, gardeners, and landowners because they feed on large numbers of agricultural and garden pests. While young skunks are cute and kitten-like, they are wild animals and it is illegal to keep them as pets.
Are skunks good for your yard? ›
They love grass destroying grubs and can eat a large number of them. That makes them beneficial to farmers, gardeners, and homeowners, when properly controlled. Obviously, the smell of this critter is an issue. But most skunks won't spray unless they are threatened or marking their territory.
Are skunks good pest control? ›
“Skunks are a great form of natural pest control,” says Simon, dubbed “skunk adviser to the stars” after counseling Ellen DeGeneres about their grub-digging in her lawn. “And they also will eat mice and baby rats, and just their presence deters a lot of rodents.”
Are skunks bad to have around? ›
Occasional skunk sightings in a neighborhood are not a cause for alarm. Because skunks are generally easy-going, they will not intentionally bother people. In fact, skunks may benefit humans by eating many insects and rodents many regard as pests.
Do skunks keep mice away? ›
Skunks May Be Keeping Mice Out of Your Home
During colder months, skunks scavenge for food and often stumble upon these small rodents that they find in wooded areas or near garbage left outside of homes.
What are bad things about skunks? ›
They are carriers of rabies. They host different parasites and introduce them to your property. They spread other diseases like distemper and salmonella. Their spray can also be potentially fatal in rare cases when a person is allergic.
What do skunks hate the most? ›
It may seem ironic, but skunks hate certain odors (as if they have room to judge). Citrus, ammonia, mothballs and predator urine (dog, coyote, etc) are three smells that can scare off skunks. If you use mothballs or ammonia-soaked cotton balls, be sure to keep them far away from children.
Should I leave skunks alone? ›
Young children or pets, who may not understand skunk defense, may get sprayed when harassing or alarming a skunk. However, skunks are generally very amiable if left alone and will not spray unless they feel threatened.
How friendly are skunks? ›
A skunk is one of the most peace-loving, non-aggressive animals you could ever meet. Skunks are also extremely nearsighted. They will only “shoot” their defensive spray when frightened, and they give you plenty of time to back off by stamping their front feet as a warning.
Skunks are more likely to set up residence in the winter months since the frozen ground makes digging a challenge, and sustenance is harder to come by. The houseguests under your deck are likely to stick around all winter while they sleep for weeks on end, surfacing only to search for food.
How long does a skunk live? ›
The average lifespan of a skunk in the wild is about 2–3 years, but they can live up to 15 years in captivity.
Where do skunks live during the day? ›
Skunks are normally nocturnal. They spend the day sleeping in burrows or under porches and exit in the evening to search for food. Their presence usually becomes apparent only when the odor from their scent glands permeates the air after being released at real or imagined danger.
Can you befriend a skunk? ›
Skunk Behavior and Temperament
Fortunately, pet skunks also tend to be sociable and playful when they grow up interacting with people. They should be handled when they're young so they'll grow to be affectionate and cuddly. They are active and curious, which means they will get into everything in your home.
What is the natural enemy of a skunk? ›
The skunk's main predators include owls and other large birds of prey, like hawks and eagles. Other than vultures, these raptors can't smell and strike quickly from above. Mammals like coyotes and large domestic dogs prey on skunks, but usually only if there's no other food source available.
Where do skunks go when raining? ›
Higher Ground
Lots of animals, like snakes, skunks, raccoons, chipmunks, and more tend to live in areas that flood easily. Obviously, they can't stick around when their home is under water, so they head for flood-resistant, elevated areas nearby.
Why do farmers like skunks? ›
We fear skunks with good reason. But these slow-moving, stinky beasts can bring benefits to farms. Skunks consume pest insects like caterpillars and grubs, field mice and voles, helping to keep them under control. They also eat berries, leaves and grasses.
Where do skunks go during the day? ›
Skunks are normally nocturnal. They spend the day sleeping in burrows or under porches and exit in the evening to search for food. Their presence usually becomes apparent only when the odor from their scent glands permeates the air after being released at real or imagined danger.
Why skunks are awesome? ›
Despite their stinky habits, skunks can be an appreciated visitor as they are especially useful at controlling field mice populations and other rodents around homes and barns. Coyotes, badgers, foxes, minks and weasels are known as strong predators of noxious rodents, but the skunk surpasses them all.
Why do skunks spray every night? ›
Skunks are nocturnal creatures. They are more active when the sun goes down than they are during the daylight hours. It isn't uncommon for these shy and generally docile animals to use their primary form of defence at night. A skunk sprays when it feels threatened or is startled.
