Skunk spray is terrible. It smells so bad that it is nauseating for most people, and it can linger for weeks. What’s worse is that it won’t go away with conventional soaps. Skunk spray is oily, so it clings to skin and fur. Washing it with regular soap only makes it last longer. If you have apple cider vinegar, however, you’re in luck. You can use this product to wash away the smell. Your poor dog doesn’t have to stink anymore if you can give it a good vinegar bath. If you need help removing a skunk, call Skunk Control.
Vinegar is a decent alternative if you can’t get a bottle of de-skunking shampoo. Keep the dog outside, if you can, then mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 2 parts of water. Put on a pair of gloves, then scrub the solution into your dog’s fur. Massage the vinegar into the fur, one section at a time, starting where the smell is worst. Give the vinegar a minimum of 5 minutes to sit, then rinse with water. Repeat the process a few times more, if needed. Finish by drying your dog with a towel and waiting for him to dry fully before going back in the house.
If the smell penetrated the home, open up all the windows and ventilate. Turn on fans and do your best to increase circulation. Don’t put away the vinegar just yet, either. You can use it to neutralize the odour in the air. Boil a pot of vinegar for a few minutes to an hour, replenishing it as it evaporates. If the smell is really bad, try filling a few bowls with vinegar and leaving them in smelly rooms for a day or two. Don’t worry, the smell of vinegar will go away, and the home will smell better than skunk.
How to Keep Skunks Off Your Property
Skunks are common in older, dense neighbourhoods where there is plenty of food and shelter to go around. As omnivores, skunks are no strangers to garbage cans and vegetable gardens. They den under porches, sheds, and other structures, then come out to feed at night. To keep these critters away from you and your dog, be sure to seal off your deck and keep garbage out of reach. Pick up fallen fruit and protect your produce with row covers. You can also use apple cider vinegar as a deterrent – spray it around the garden to ward off skunks.
The professionals at Skunk Control offer guaranteed skunk-proofing in addition to humane removal. We can inspect your property to identify possible hiding spots, then seal them off with skunk-proof materials. Our technicians dig around these structures, then secure them with mesh so that skunks can’t dig under them. If there’s a skunk on your property, we can remove it humanely. We only use humane removal methods so no one gets hurt (or sprayed!). Call Skunk Control today for an inspection. We’re so sure of our services that they each come with a warranty of up to 2 years.