Back
Warning: include(../../../../../includes/incMap.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/stanley/www/www/programs/incProgsNav.php on line 121
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '../../../../../includes/incMap.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/php53/lib/php') in /home/stanley/www/www/programs/incProgsNav.php on line 121
Raccoons and Skunks
For general information, see the Natural Histories sections for raccoons and skunks.
Sprayed by a Skunk! How to Get Rid of that Smell?
The items below compile a list of tried and rumored remedies. Different people swear by different techniques. The only one that comes with a guarantee is time. The sprayed person / pet / object must be washed thoroughly with any of the following for any chance of success:- Tomato juice / red wine vinegar:
Most people, like science, say neither of these work. These substances are said to merely replace / numb the skunks scent in the washer's nose. A different person will still notice the skunk's odor. Some folk (small percent) still swear by tomato juice though. Vinegar less so. - Commercial shampoo and spray:
Mixed enthusiasm at $10 to $15 a bottle. Skeptics suggest the conspicuously absent list of ingredients is just baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. - Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap:
Seems to get the best reviews overall from a range of different dog owners. It's cheap and apparently works. Mix in measures of approximately 1 liter or quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 250 ml (¼ cup) baking soda and a good squirt of Dawn liquid soap. Dawn soap is the detergent that works the best breaking down oil and is the soap used to wash oil spill damaged birds.
Why my home for their home?
Raccoons and skunks visit or live on your property for the same reason you do; it has everything they need.
Residents...
If they've built a den under your shed or porch, it is with the purpose of a family home in mind. The den is a temporary one and will be vacated by late summer or early fall. Their front door can be as small as a grapefruit-sized hole.
They selected the location because it's dark, dry, quiet, secure and close to a food source. Meals are found in nearby fruit trees, ponds, outdoor pet food, accessible garbage, composts or in some cases intentional human feeding.
...or just visiting?
Raccoons and skunks visit yards in search of food. Both will travel blocks to find or take advantage of one of the food sources listed above. A raccoon tapping on your window pane is a sure sign that a neighbour has been intentionally feeding them for a long time. If you are not comfortable acting by yourself contact a humane wildlife control company in your area.
What Can I Do?
Raccoons and skunks have very sharp teeth and strong parental instincts. Raccoons, in particular, can be ferocious if cornered.
Never put your hands or face close to the den or animal.
As both animals are nocturnal, the techniques below should be done well after dark to ensure the den is empty at the time the deterrent is placed inside.
Change dark to light... Push a utility light (grid enclosed bulb) and/or small radio tuned to a talk station into the den with a long wooden pole.
Add an offensive smell...
- You will need:
- A tin with a plastic lid
- An old rag
- Bleach OR Ammonia
- Scissors or Utility Knife
-
- Pour two to three centimeters of bleach OR ammonia into an old container.Do NOT mix bleach and ammonia
- Place an old rag in the bucket to absorb the liquid. Ensure that the lid is securely on the container
- Make small slits in the lid so the smell of the bleach can enter the atmosphere
- Add 1 cm of bleach each evening for a week as needed
- Push the bucket into the den using a long wooden stick or place them at the animal's access points to your property
