Accessed June 10, 2011. It can cause you to develop respiratory issues, especially if you already have trouble breathing due to asthma or COPD. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. You may have to throw away clothes that were sprayed. Numerous minor components differ among individual skunks and species.3,4. Treatment of skunk spray is primarily symptomatic and supportive. Deodorizing Treatment Several tactics should be considered when dealing with skunk odor: 1. All the more reason to be very vigilant about these pests. There are a number of caulking techniques that can be used to keep them out but sometimes only a pest control expert can help you. 2. Once sprayed, the stench lingers for days, up to three weeks if untreated. May cause chemical conjunctivitis and corneal damage. But first, they give a warning. But sizing up how sensitive the snout of, say, a seal is . The two leg-breakers in the family of chemicals that a skunk sprays are (E )-2-butene-1-thiol and 3-methyl-1-butanethiol. Skunk odors are almost legendary. Avoid getting the cleaning mixture into your eyes, mouth or nose. However, most people who get sprayed have to deal with the terrible smell. If you do see a nest or den on your property, contact our professional. Wildlife Biology, UW Madison) with the field training and skills to be successful in resolving wildlife conflict for home and business owners. Skunk spray isn't dangerous, just very stinky. If you want some tips on getting rid of the skunk smell, we can help. We so appreciate your support! People who are highly sensitive to odors can vomit from the odor of skunk spray. Stay outdoors and get help from someone else, if possible. Getting sprayed by a skunk is commonly called being skunked. But skunks only want to use their precious weapon as a last resort. But products that you may already have in your home can effectively neutralize the odor. Throw away the clothes youre wearing because the smell will permeate the fibers and be difficult to get out. for skunk spray removal. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. But how does the skunk project the smelly stuff? It may take a few treatments before the smell is gone. Skunk spray smells so bad because it consists of a mixture of chemicals containing sulfur (such as thiols), which are notorious for their pungent and nauseating odor, basically like the smell that rotten eggs have. Besides the odor, it can have other effects on humans and animals: Nausea and vomiting - The smell can be stomach-turning. If odor persists, continue to reapply as necessary. Take a shower or bath immediately. Marcus Mueller. If none of these tactics work, you just might get sprayed! Photo: Rikkis Refuge/Flickr. The pet's fur (as well as clothing, towels, and carpeting) may be bleached by the formula. This is the worst-case scenario. Just make sure you choose your exterminator carefully. Smell is a powerful sense for human beings and we have inherited it from ancient creatures for whom it was an even more important guide to the external world. It is a colorless gas with a distinctive putrid smell. We'll tell you what they are, and how you can neutralize them. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Leave them outdoors. Then follow these steps to remove the skunk smell from your dog or cat: Mix 1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide, cup baking soda, and 1-2 teaspoons dishwashing soap (if you don't have hydrogen peroxide, any pharmacy and most grocery stores carry it) Wearing rubber gloves and keeping the solution away from your pet's eyes, wash their entire body. It can cause watery or burning eyes and shortness of breath and the smell doesnt go away easily. If your dog ingests this spray then it can start to develop diarrhea and vomit. One found in the secretions of striped skunks is 3-methyl-1-butanethiol. Its fur is a black or grayish black, with white stripes on its shoulders and sides, and white spots on its forehead, cheeks, and rump. A baking soda and peroxide mixture will oxidize thiols into water-soluble sulfonates (see "Krebaum skunk odor removal formula" below for recipe and instructions). You may also purchase a skunk odor-removal product and apply it to your skin as directed on the package. Rinse off any of the scratches or bites with cold water. To treat methemoglobinemia, give N-acetylcysteine at a 140-mg/kg loading dose followed by 70 mg/kg orally or intravenously every six hours for six to eight treatments. I never knew what was the big deal with skunk spray until a scientist friend let me smell a collection of it in a small vial and I jerked back so fast that I cracked my head on a cabinet behind me. The findings ultimately uncovered numerous, novel VSCs associated with the iconic smell of weed. Business. "The more data I collected on different species over the years, the more interesting the picture became," Laska says. The smell may linger in your home if you bring it indoors with you. Lovely! Skunk musk is composed primarily of seven ingredients, six of which are sulfur-containing thiols that give the skunk musk its awful smell. And guess what it smells like? https://twitter.com/gross_science Tum. The answer lies in two simple atoms which pull together and hitch a ride on other molecules. If clinical signs consistent with methemoglobinemia or Heinz body anemia develop, administer intravenous fluids. A complete blood count and serum chemistry profile should be obtained on arrival at the clinic. Ah, but they can. If a pet is bitten by a skunk, initiate appropriate treatment, prophylaxis, and monitoring, and report the case to the proper authorities. Lots of questions for the curious mind. Extermination protects you and your pets. Remove most of your clothes, and head straight to the shower to rinse off with your skunk-odor remover. Be prepared-your next patient may be skunked! J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005;226(9):1516-1518, 1500. Personally, I find the faint odor of skunk quite pleasant. Washing hair and skin with solutions made from tomato juice, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and carbolic soap can lead to skin irritation and dry hair. Even if it did not hit the person's face, the spray can irritate the eyes. This product removes skunk smells from just about everything and everyone, including your dog, yourself, your clothing, and your vehicle. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. If an animal is sprayed directly in the face, inhalation can occur. Meanwhile, they are completely defenseless against predators in that 2 week period. If no immediate action is taken, untreated skunk smell can last for months or even years. Work in thoroughly, rinse and then let dry. Spotted skunks are the most agile, able to climb squirrel-like both up and down trees. Ohio Veterinarian of the Year awarded, and new president named, News wrap-up: This weeks headlines, plus Virox and NAVTA announce infection prevention program, 3 tips for GPs faced with patients in critical condition, Pet Poison Helpline unveils state-specific top 20 toxins list, http://eduscapes.com/nature/skunk/index1.htm, http://users.humboldt.edu/wfwood/chemofskunkspray.html. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'crittercleanout_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_6',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-crittercleanout_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Skunk spray is made up of many components. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for this chemical states: Potential Health Effects Eye: Causes eye irritation. 3. Dermal absorption of the spray is minimal. Skunks can spray up to 6 times in succession before running out of their smelly weapon. Skunk spray isn't deadly or poisonous, but it could cause you to cough or become temporarily blind. http://bit.ly/1FkxVLb Twitter! 1 pair Rubber gloves. It can be smelled up to half a mile away, making it an effective deterrent against most animals. Skunk spray smells awful, but it is not going to kill you. While homemade remedies can help mask the smell in the short-term, they probably wont remove the smell completely. The human nose can detect extremely low concentrations of these substances, making it difficult to completely rid clothing, hair, fur or skin of the stink. The mixture cannot be covered or stored because it can explode. Now that you know what to do if you get sprayed by a skunk pick up a remover. If the warnings are ignored, a skunk will spray anal gland secretions (referred to as either spray or musk). When ready to use, mix all ingredients. Sulfur has a rotten egg scent that is distained by most, making a skunk's spray extremely pungent. CALL US TODAY 1.888.592.0387OR Request for Services. It is estimated that a skunk will spray its target 6 times in a row when it feels threatened. Skunk-Um from PredatorPee is the first scent ever developed to intentionally repel people. The spray can travel as far away as 18 feet if wind conditions are right. Skunks are docile but will defend themselves when threatened. Then, we put it to the test . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Fettman MJ. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. If you want to learn more about skunks and why the Great Horned Owl is their number one predator, read our blog Skunks. Skunk spray effects can include blindness. Everything You Want To Know, Why Wildlife Corridors are Critical to Our Wildlifes Survival. 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. Also, this is a good time to teach your children not to approach wild animals without your permission. If the spray hits a person directly in the face, the oily musk can get into the eyes. When skunks are trapped or frightened, they emit a powerful spray from the anal glands that can hit a target more than 15 feet away. Read our resources on fitness, health, and more. A dog - or human - that's been sprayed by a skunk will sometimes get smellier after being bathed in water. Skunks have excellent hearing and sense of smell but do not see well.1. They typically show warning signs first, like raising their tail, stomping their feet, and hissing or charging if their striped appearance isn't warning enough. All rights reserved. The skunk's spray is a thiol, an organic compound in which sulfur is one of the main components. Results of laboratory testing confirmed methemoglobinemia. Skunk spray is known to cause breathing problems in humans, so it is important to watch your dog closely in case they develop it as well.