Are Skunks Dangerous?

Skunks go where the trail of food leads them, and this often means people’s backyards, gardens, and even inside houses. This is becoming increasingly common, which means that you may come across one of these creatures one of these days.

What will you do when that happens? Are skunks dangerous, and what should you do to protect yourself? How does skunk removal work? Here are answers to these and more questions.

Skunks can be Dangerous

Skunks are notoriously infamous because of their smelly skunk spray – and smelly is understating it. Skunks defend themselves by spraying would-be predators with a wreath that induces vomiting because of its awful stench.

A skunk’s spray is known to induce intense vomiting and nausea in the victim and the people around them. Additionally, the spray contains toxic sulfuric acid that clings to objects, making it challenging to get off. To this end, it takes several thorough washes and a concoction of powerful perfumes to mask the smell, let alone get rid of it.

A skunk’s spray also has other effects that are worse than the awful stench. The spray contains sulfuric acid, as mentioned, and this can cause permanent blindness if it enters the eyes. 

Additionally, the spray can cause severe respiratory and skin allergic reactions in people with skin and respiratory problems.

Skunks also pose a danger to your pets and inanimate objects. Your pet would require a trip to the vet if it got sprayed. They will also happily eat their way through your garden, targeting budding flowers and delicate roots. 

Additionally, skunks can chew through wood and other soft materials. They can spray inanimate objects, rendering them useless if they are challenging to clean.

Skunks use their spray as their primary form of defence, but they can bite and scratch if cornered. Bites and scratches from skunks can cause rabies, which is potentially fatal when left untreated.

You Can Prevent Skunks

Skunks can be challenging to notice or see. People who get sprayed don’t see where the jet of smelly spray comes from.

However, you can easily protect yourself against skunks if you can spot them before they spray you. For starters, you should keep your nose open for any awful smells coming from your garden and other concealed places. Skunks take their foul odour with them everywhere they go.

Additionally, you will need to keep your eyes open if skunks are common around your location. Skunks can be mistaken for raccoons, so take a closer look when you see or hear something in the bushes. However, don’t get too close to avoid getting sprayed – stay at least 15 feet away from the creature.

Skunks also leave a trail when they feed and shelter in your home. You can find a trail of crumbs of food in the garden, backyard, and underneath the house, for starters. Additionally, look for signs of digging and burrowing, such as loose soils and holes suddenly showing up in your garden.

Identifying whether or not you have a skunk infestation is the first step towards getting rid of them, as discussed in detail below. It is prudent to keep your distance from skunks. As such, it is highly advisable to make your home inhabitable for skunks.

Here is an overview of three comfortable and useful skunk prevention tips:

Fence Properly

Skunks are burrowers, but erecting a strong and rooted fence will deter them from foraging into your compound. Skunks cannot climb vertical walls, but they can dig under the wall, so it is advisable to dig the fence deeper. Fencing will also protect your garden from other creatures, such as raccoons.

Install Lighting

Skunks are nocturnal animals, meaning that they prefer dark environments. They will steer clear of your compound if it is well lit. As such, it is advisable to install lighting in your environment and keep it switched on throughout the night. 

Lighting will also help protect you from other intruders who pose more danger than skunks.

Mimic Predators

Skunks are very cautious and will avoid places where there are predators. To this end, skunks will avoid your compound if they smell the scent of dogs and other predators. As such, it helps to keep a dog – use spray dog scent around your compound.

Don’t Tolerate Skunks in Your Property

No one should tolerate skunks as they leave a trail of destruction behind them. As such, it is advisable to get professional skunk removal services if you notice skunks around your home. Additionally, ensure that you follow up with preventative measures to keep the smelly creatures from coming back.