How to protect yourself from a spraying skunk

Skunks spray. It is their defense mechanism when provoked or threatened. If you live in a skunk prone area, you may not want to walk around after dark since skunks are nocturnal creatures and come out to search for food during this time. If you must be out, stay in well-lit areas.

When you cross paths with a skunk, you need to observe very quickly, what state the skunk is in. If you notice that the skunk has its tail raised or its stomping its feet, turn and run as fast and as far away as you can. Their spray can reach up to 10 feet away, so distance is very important.

When you see a skunk, but the skunk has not seen you yet, quietly move away because you do not want to risk scaring it into spraying you with its liquid. Skunk liquid odor can last for weeks on end, no matter how much you try to get rid of it. Most times it is mind over matter as well, you may think you still smell like skunk odor, but it has most probably already been removed.



In areas that are prone to skunks, wear protective clothing when outdoors. You may want to cover yourself with a disposable raincoat, especially if you need to take your dog out to walk at night. Once sprayed, immediately remove all articles of clothing and wash yourself in a solution of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and liquid detergent. See below for the recipe:

For Humans: 4 cups hydrogen peroxide, ½ cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid. Leave on skin no longer than 5 mins. Rinse off with warm water and shower as you would with regular soap and shampoo. Hydrogen peroxide can bleach your hair so do not leave it on for longer than 5 mins at a time if you wish to repeat the process for a second time.

For Pets: 4 cups hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, 2 teaspoons laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid (30-50 lb pet). Increase or decrease ingredients according to the weight of your pet. Lather on with a pair of gloves and let sit for 10 mins. Wash off with warm water and bathe pet as you would, using pet shampoo. Towel dry.

There is no surefire method of protecting yourself from a spraying skunk because once a skunk starts, all you can do is run very fast. Skunks however, would not spray what they cannot see since they would have to face their anus to their opponent, raise their tails and squirt out their liquid.

They usually run away from human but that does not mean that they would spray you if they feel threatened. Hence, you should be very cautious if you see a skunk around because you would not want to startle it. Skunks that do not show any sign of fear of humans, are most probably infected with the rabies virus. Yet another reason to run as far and as fast as you can, once you spot a skunk.


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