Disposing of a dead skunk from your property can be a challenging task. Not only is it annoying, but it can also be tricky due to the rotting smell.
However, it is crucial to get rid of the dead skunk as soon as possible because dead animal carcasses are a threat. Not only do they attract other animals and insects, but they also carry terrible diseases.
In this article, we will highlight different methods through which you can dispose of a dead skunk.
Even though we will be emphasizing on how to dispose of a dead skunk in this particular article, you can still use this advice for other similar animal carcasses as well.
Before we jump into disposal methods, you must understand that a dead skunk can bring forth a terrible smell.
Even though you can dispose of the physical carcass pretty quickly, the smell can take a significant time to leave.
So, to help you out, we will also highlight a few methods through which you can control the lingering smell. Now, let’s look at how to dispose of a dead skunk.
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How To Dispose Of A Dead Skunk Properly
These methods and instructions will help you remove a dead skunk carcass from your property:
Call Animal Control
The best thing to do in this scenario is to call animal control.
Not everybody is equipped with the skill set to safely and responsibly remove a dead animal off their property.
Therefore, you can reach out to animal control so they can take care of the situation for you.
Once you notice an unwanted animal carcass on your property, immediately make a call to animal control.
Leaving the carcass out for long will attract mites, ticks, and other insects – not to mention the putrid smell.
Not only is this an unfavorable sight, but it is also very harmful to your pets. If they go near the carcass, there is a chance that they may catch any diseases or insects from the skunk.
Why do you need Animal Control?
If you are inexperienced in these kinds of things, then calling animal control is the best thing that you can do.
Disposing of the body of a dead skunk is not as simple as picking up any unwanted items on the ground.
A dead carcass is heavy and can be infected with several diseases.
Another thing to consider is that when you pick up the dead skunk, there is a possibility of any bodily fluid leaking out of it.
So, if you do a poor job, you could be infecting the space even more than before.
Dealing With It Yourself
If you do not want to involve animal control or if their services are not available in your area, here is what you can do:
Gather necessary items
In order to dispose of a dead skunk, you will need a few essential items. These items include a large plastic garbage bag, rubber gloves, and a shovel.
The gloves will protect your hands from catching any diseases.
You will also be safe from any bodily fluid that escapes the dead skunk body. Remember, you should never approach the dead skunk body without rubber gloves.
There is a very high chance that the body may carry rabies.
Even though rabies isn’t airborne, it can be dangerous if it comes in contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth. Therefore, glove protection is crucial.
Prepare the plastic garbage bag
This step is very crucial if you are doing this alone.
Take a large garbage bin and insert a plastic garbage bag in it like you usually would. Place it next to you for easier access.
If someone is helping you out with this, they can stand next to you with the garbage bag wide open instead.
Use your shovel to pick up the dead carcass
Scoop the shovel underneath the dead stunk and lift it up in a stable manner. If you are shaky, there is a possibility that the skunk might fall off.
Carefully maneuver the shovel and drop the dead skunk into the plastic garbage bag.
If you don’t have a shovel, you might have to use your glove-protected hands.
However, using your hands is not recommended because you never know what kind of bacteria you might catch.
Seal the plastic garbage bag
Once the dead skunk is in the plastic garbage bag, it is time to seal it.
You can either tie it into a knot or use a piece of rope to fasten the opening.
Under any circ*mstance, the bag should not be left open. If your plastic garbage bag has any holes or tears, it will defeat the whole purpose of disposal.
Look for a dumpster or a landfill
Once you have secured the plastic garbage bag, it is time to dispose of it.
You can look for the nearest dumpster or landfill, whatever suits you best. Do not leave the dead skunk in front of your house.
This will increase the phone stench as well as attract other animals.
If you leave the dead skunk near your house, there is a very high chance the area will be swarming with other animals looking for food.
Question: Can you bury the dead skunk?
Burying an animal carcass is a suitable method only under the right circ*mstances.
For example, if you live in a commercial area with less ground, then burying the dead skunk isn’t a good idea.
However, if you live on farmland or the countryside, then you can definitely give this a try. All you have to do is figure out a spot that is a bit further away from your property.
Once you have the spot discovered, you can dig a hole with your shovel. Ensure that the hole is deep enough so that it can completely engulf the dead skunk.
If you partially bury the body, other animals will come and ravage it. This will be dangerous for your pets or if you have children playing around nearby.
Therefore, looking for a secluded area is vital. If you fear that other animals will not leave the buried ground alone, then the plastic bag disposal method is the one for you.
Question: What can you do about the smell?
The skunk is known to be a pretty smelly animal. So, one can only imagine how bad it would smell as a carcass.
This is one of the reasons why it is very important to get rid of the putrid smell.
The source of the smell is probably going to be the area from which you lifted the dead skunk. Any residual bodily fluid could be aiding the stench in the air.
Here are a few things that you can do to get rid of the dead skunk smell:
- Tomato juice is known to be a neutralizer when it comes to bad odor. However, it does not remove the smell from the source but only masks it for a short while.
- Is the dead skunk was on your porch or concrete surface, you can use diluted bleach or ammonia to clean it. This will stop the smell from permeating into nearby walls and flooring.
- If there are any fabric materials involved such as sofa covers or patio table cloths, you can soak them in hydrogen peroxide. A mixture of six parts of water and one part of hydrogen peroxide is recommended for this purpose. However, if the fabric is delicate, choose to use vinegar instead of hydrogen peroxide.
- If the smell sticks to your hands or your body, you can use washing detergent and baking soda to wash it off. You can wash your hands with it or scrub your body while taking a shower. If it does not remove the smell fully, you can reapply the mixture. This mixture will work well on your skin, but try not to leave it in your hair for too long.
Wrapping Up With An Important Note
If you find a dead skunk on your property, it is important to keep your children and pets away.
Dead animals can carry numerous diseases and insects. They can easily infect your pets and by extension, the inside of your home.
If you have an untrained dog, it might sniff around the carcass and contract a dangerous disease.
Therefore, it is important for you to stay vigilant.
If you are waiting for animal control to arrive, you can cover the dead skunk with a plastic sheet or an old cloth to keep children and pets away.
Other articles you may also find helpful:
- How to Dispose of Dead Dog?
- How to Dispose of a Dead Squirrel
- How To Dispose Of A Dead Rabbit
- How To Dispose Of A Dead Bird
- How to Dispose of a Dead Mouse?
- How to Dispose of Dead Fish?
