If you didn't know any better, you'd think a skunk would be a cute and cuddly pet to have around the house. The beautiful black fur accented by the white streak combined with an adorable face makes you think a skunk would be fun to have around the house.
Of course, no one wants a skunk around for one reason: the dreaded skunk spray. We have all smelt the pungent odor of skunk spray. The odorous smell is so powerful that you may smell it when you don't see the skunk.
Skunks in Plano can be a problem. If you have seen skunks in your area, get the best pest control in Plano, DANCAN The Pest Control Expert. We can safely remove skunks from your property.
What's In Your Backyard? Are There Skunks?
If there is one animal that can win the "most recognizable" contest, it is the skunk. People know the small black animal with a white "V" stripe running down its back with the white line between the eyes is a skunk.
Skunks in Texas include five of the 11 species of skunks. The type of skunk you are most likely to encounter at your Plano/Frisco home is the striped skunk. The following are characteristics of this skunk:
- Avoids contact with humans
- Moves slowly and deliberately
- Eats meat and vegetation (Omnivorous)
- Lives alone in brush piles, underneath buildings, etc.
- Hibernates in the winter
- Striped skunks in your yard are there to eat the pests found in the garden and your lawn.
Do Skunks Like Their Own Smell?
Dr. Jerry Drago of the Dragoo Institute for the Betterment of Skunks and Skunk Reputations, argues that skunks do not enjoy the smell of their spray. Like other animals, a skunk has a heightened sense of smell compared to humans. So, if the smell is bad for humans, it is worse for skunks! A skunk does not like the odor of its spray; it is not apt to spray other skunks with it.
What To Do If You've Been Sprayed By A Skunk
Skunks do not like to use their spray because it leaves them defenseless for the next several days while their body creates more chemicals. A skunk will do everything to avoid releasing the noxious odor such as stomping with both front feet, charging forward followed by another series of stomps, or dragging their front feet while edging backward. Skunks spray only as a last resort when they are cornered, surprised, or if they have young skunks in their care.
If you have the unfortunate experience of being sprayed by a skunk, do the following:
- Avoid going into the house: You don't want to contaminate your home with the sulfuric acid in the spray. If you must go inside, leave all clothing outside, and don't touch anything until you have disinfected your body.
- Wash out your eyes: If you sprayed in the eyes, flush them out with cold water; treat eye irritation with eye drops.
- Disinfect wounds: If you have scratches, wash them off with water and apply an antiseptic.
- Neutralize the odor: You can use a commercial skunk odor remover or wash with a homemade solution of 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide 1/4 cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of soap.
- Laundry your clothes: Combine laundry detergent with 1/2 cup of baking soda in the clothes washer. You can also use a washing machine-safe commercial skunk odor remover.
- You may need to repeat some of the steps a few times to get rid of a skunk odor.
Total Wildlife Control For Plano Properties
You don't want to encounter a skunk on your Plano or Frisco property. To minimize the risk of skunks being on your property or to remove skunks on your property, call the professionals at DANCAN The Pest Control Expert. We know how to remove skunks from your property so you don't have to put up with the smell.