Why skunk is dangerous

These burrows can threaten the structural integrity of homes and businesses, but they also can provide access inside. If a skunk is nesting under an outdoor deck, any outdoor furniture is also at risk.

Skunks use their spray as a last line of defense against predators. Skunks are capable of accurately spraying up to 12 feet. The spray is intended to give a skunk cover to escape, but it is not lethal unless ingested in abnormally high doses.

If you or your pet is sprayed, it may cause eye irritation, nausea, or vomiting. If you suspect you have a skunk on your residential or commercial property, contact your local Critter Control and let our wildlife removal specialists take care of it for you! It smells bad, and it's not very friendly if it gets anywhere near your face. It can induce vomiting and nausea, burns a bit, and if it gets in the eye, can even cause blindness, although this is generally temporary.

The skunk spray is actually very dangerous to your pet, and if it gets into your eyes, mouth or nose, could make your pet very sick. Moving along from one defense mechanism, to another, and the skunk has an impressive set of claws and teeth that you definitely won't want to get too close to your beloved family pets.

Wounds inflicted by wild animals, particularly skunks, can be very deep, may require stitches, will definitely need cleaning, and may even need treatments, such as antibiotics ointments or medications, to ensure no infection occurs. Some pets may even need shots, and this is definitely the case if your pet hasn't already been vaccinated against the rabies virus. Skunks are one of the most prolific carriers and transmitters of the rabies virus, and this is a very dangerous disease that will cause death if not treated.

It is also highly contagious, and is passed from animal to animal, and even from animal to human and human to human, via infected saliva. Bites are the biggest culprits, but if claws have been recently licked and saliva is still present, even a quick swipe from an infected animal could be enough to pass the disease along.

These include: Tularemia Q-fever Canine distemper Canine hepatitis Leptospirosis Listeriosis Because of the dangers associated with skunks, particularly the rabies virus, you will find that certain wildlife control experts will offer free services when skunks enter residential properties. It is not advisable that you get too close to this animal, or any other wild animal, and you will most definitely want to keep the creature away from your household pets.

Are skunks dangerous to cats, dogs and other pets? Protect your dog from skunk spray by limiting the potential for dog-skunk interaction. This means keeping your dog on a leash during walks and outdoor playtime and limiting or eliminating unsupervised outdoor activities. If you have overgrown shrubs on your property you should trim them back to discourage skunks from establishing burrows there. The humane approach is best for this since it allows the skunk to survive while ensuring that your space is animal free.

Expert wildlife control teams like Skedaddle have been providing this service to Rexdale homeowners for years. We can help you keep skunks away by installing effective exclusion methods for skunks. Canada's largest urban wildlife removal and exclusion company. Industry leader and pioneer. Split, Scram, Scoot! Occasionally, however, a skunk may also wander into an open garage or shed, which is a compelling reason to secure all outbuildings.

Exclusion techniques should be used proactively to prevent denning before an animal moves in. Any suspected skunk den should first be checked to determine if it has residents. This may be done by loosely filling the hole or holes with soil, leaves, straw, crumpled paper or similar material. If a skunk is present, the animal will easily push their way out overnight and reopen the hole.

If the plug remains undisturbed for two or three nights, it is safe to assume that the hole is unoccupied and can be filled. In the winter, skunks may remain inactive for longer periods, so provide them with a bit more time to disturb the plug before blocking the den entrance. Permanently exclude skunks and other den-seeking creatures with an L-shaped footer of welded wire or similar barriers.

If a skunk is using the den, either harassment or eviction using a one-way door system is recommended. When evicting skunks, be sure that dependent young are not present. When in doubt, assume they are and use the door only after they start following their mother to forage. Leave the door in place from two or three nights to a week to be sure the skunk has left. When it is safe to displace skunks, mild harassment can be very effective. This can be as simple as loosely repacking the den hole with leaves or straw or other material to see if the skunk gets the message and moves elsewhere.

If they require more persuading, adding light and noise to make an dark and quiet denning space unattractive may help as well. Make sure the skunk is not close by before setting up the disturbances. Repellants may also be effective in skunk deterrence. Mild repellents, such as used kitty litter, can be placed near or inside the den to one side so the skunk has to pass them to get out; commercial or homemade capsaicin or castor oil repellents may also be tried.

Avoid buying skunk deterrents that are based on predator urine — these products are created under inhumane conditions, and are not necessary to repel skunks effectively. Skunks who have wandered into a garage can simply be allowed to wander back out by making sure the door is open before dusk.

Skunks are nocturnally active, so opening the door at dusk and closing it later in the evening is likely to be a solution to this problem.