While skunks look like cute and cuddly animals, it’s no secret that they have a very unpleasant odor when they spray. Of course, the best way to avoid that unpleasant scent is to avoid the skunk. When a skunk sprays, it’s their last-ditch effort of defense. If you stumble upon a skunk it’s best to keep your distance. Skunks also give a lot of warning signs before spraying.  If you do get a little too close for comfort and the skunk begins stomping their feet or raising their tail, back away slowly and calmly to avoid getting sprayed.

Sometimes no matter how hard you try to get away, getting sprayed by a skunk is an unfortunate and smelly ending to the encounter. Knowing what to do after you’ve been sprayed can help make a terrible situation at least a little more bearable.

How To Minimize the Smell

After getting sprayed by a skunk you’ll want to wash off immediately, but the trip from outdoors to the bathroom should be a very cautious one. Be sure you go straight to the bathroom and don’t touch anything, especially furniture, along the way. If you got sprayed in the face you should rinse your eyes with water for a few minutes. Fabric holds onto scents so the less you can touch, the better.

Removing The Skunk Smell

Once you’re in the bathroom it’s time to rinse away the odor, but the traditional tomato juice bath isn’t the most effective method. A natural method that shows to be very effective is a peroxide and baking soda bath. This bath involves mixing a quart of peroxide, ½ cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of dish soap to create an odor neutralizing the mixture. Scrub the mixture onto your skin with a washcloth and let it sit for five minutes before rinsing. The mixture is harsh, so it’s best to apply it with gloved hands.

Your skin and hair may still have a slight smell after the baking soda peroxide bath. To help diminish that smell more, take another bath as you normally would with traditional soaps and shampoos. It’s best to use moisturizing soaps and shampoos because the peroxide will likely dry out your skin and hair. Unfortunately, the skunk’s musk might still be clinging to your skin and hair after all of these measures. You can repeat them if you’d like, but often times it comes down to waiting for the smell to naturally dissipate with time.

Getting sprayed by a skunk is an unlucky and unpleasant event, to say the least, but following these simple steps will make dealing with it a breeze! If you have skunks around your home, in the attic, or under your porch and don’t know how to get rid of them. Call Baystate Wildlife at (781) 830-6080 or contact us on our website. We are experts in skunk removal so you don’t get sprayed!