Skunks

[Kozmo38]

Recently had a problem with a skunk.

He got my dog at 5:30 AM and I was up doing the tomato bath.

My questions are the following

1. What works to get the smell off your dog? Tomato juice did not work very well.

2. How do keep them away from my property so that they don not get to my dog? Keep in mind I am not a hunter or trapper so the use of violence is out.

Thank you for any help that you could give me.

 

[shvl73]

You could try a Havahart trap & relocated the offender. I would bet where there is one, there is more however. If you do try it, put a blanket over the trap before you pick it up. I'm not sure they can spray when confined but, why risk it. Hopefully you have a pickup to transport it in, I wouldn't want it in my car. We have skunks around as well but so far, no problem. Porcupines however, we haven't been as lucky.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Skunks are tough to get rid of. You could use a "live" trap and relocate them, but the smell alone might kill you. A trapped skunk is not going to like having its cage picked up for relocation, so the odds are you will get skunked several times during the process.

I suppose your best bet is to remove as many of their food sources as you can find. They will get into trash, pet food, etc. Keep all that stuff secure and they may move on to your neighbors property. Or if there is a particular neighbor you don't like, you might want to place some food sources in that property to attract them over there /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif sort of the bread crumb trail through the woods concept!

In addition to removing food sources would be removing shelter sources, they will get under things like sheds, porches, junk piles, etc. Seal up all the areas they can get into under/around your structures and remove anything you can find that might provide shelter.

 

[Freds]

Here's something I posted on CBN. Hopefully you didn't spread the skunk oil around too much. The trick is to cut the oil as quickly as possible.

"Kind of water under the bridge at this point, but here's what I do for washing dogs that have been skunked. I've washed the same two 3 different times in the last year, so I hate to say it, but I'm getting kind of good at it.

The mixture I use is 1 qt of hydrgen peroxide, 1/2 box of baking soda and about 1/4-1/2 cup of a good grease cutting dish detergent. The important thing to do is cut the skunk oil before it gets spread around, that's why the dish soap. It will still take you more than one washing, depending on how bad the dog was hit.
Another thing I added (and this could still work for you, Handyman) is Downy fabric softener. When you think the dog is good and clean (of course you can't tell, though, because you will be smelling skunk yourself for a while) pour some of the softener on him, rub it in and let it sit for 10 minutes. DO NOT let your dog lick the softener. Keep your eye on him. Then rinse this off, too. They make about 6 different kinds and one has a nice strong, but good smell to it. So pick one you like the smell of. It's also a very good idea to put a drop or two of mineral oil in the dog's eyes before you start.

Tomato juice is a thing of the past and I've also tried douches (yes, you read right), but they don't work as well on skunk smell as the other stuff.

Here's a pic of the two always getting skunked. Their owner's have an invisible fence which works well on the dogs for keeping them in.... now if they could only train the skunks to stay out.

Good luck."

 

[JJT]

I have friends that have had great success with Scope mouthwash. It outperforms tomato juice 1000%

 

[Glenn9643]

We've had our share of skunk problems this year, and I believe that "non-violent" approaches probably are too much trouble or won't work. A .22 rifle headshot will stop them with no spray. A "kill-trap" works if you know where their den is. Use a long pole to prod the body and be sure he's dead before approaching him so you'll be out of reach of his spray.

 

[sneaky_pete]

I have shot three in the last 10 days with a .410 shotgun, but obviously I do not hold any principles against violence.

Here is a link to a great web site I got from a thread right here at TBN. Scroll down to "Skunks" and you will learn a lot. They also sell commercial de-odorant; I've never tried it.

If you can find their den, put some old-fashioned moth balls in it and that will drive them / keep them out.

Pete

 

[bontai_Joe]

There is a product called "Skunk off" available that does work very well. I got mine through my vet. It ain't cheap, but it works almost instantly. As to removing them, I'm with shooting them in the head, but if you want to go the non-lethal route, then live trapping and relocating is all I can think of. Best of luck in that.

 

[EastTexFrank]

I've never (shouldn't have said that) had to deal with a skunky dog but there has been some good advice on this board in the past.

I'm not a hunter or trapper either, I'm a live and let live kind of guy, but there are times when you have no alternative. I think it's called self preservation. As long as the "wildlife" stays out in the pastures, they are welcome to it but once they invade and start tearing up my yard and garden then they have to go. I'm sorry but I've put in too many hours and worked too hard to see it destroyed or made unlivable without a fight.