A skunk’s scent may be one of the most recognizable smells to the human nose — especially if you’ve lived in the countryside or have pets that frequently encounter these ubiquitous black-and-white striped creatures. If you’ve had a pet track that awful spray into the house, or if the smell wafted in by itself when you left the windows open overnight, there are a few tricks you can use to banish it for good. Consider the following information and be sure to contact Skedaddle to address the root cause of the skunk smell in your house in Coquitlam.

What Causes That Awful Skunk Smell?

Does a skunk’s spray remind you of rotten eggs? There’s a good reason for that: According to the Smithsonian Magazine, a skunk’s smell is considered a thiol, which is a compound made primarily of sulphur. These potent natural chemicals are not actually harmful to humans or pets unless you get them in your eyes, where they can sting and cause temporary vision loss.

Assuming you’re not trying to keep a wild skunk as a pet (please don’t try this!), your encounters with these stinky animals should be few and far between. Skunks, like other wild animals, tend to avoid people and have been known to carry diseases such as rabies. Don’t try to touch or pet a non-domesticated skunk even if it seems friendly.

3 Ways To Get Rid of a Skunk Smell in Your House in Coquitlam

Fortunately, those dealing with a skunk-sprayed pet or another source of skunk smell inside the home have several options for eradicating it. Consider the three options below for how to get the skunk smell out of your house before moving on to more extreme solutions.

1. Open Your Windows

If you live in the country, there’s a good chance that a skunk’s scent will blow your way from time to time. If you suspect that a skunk has sprayed or been killed on the road near your property, it may help to simply air out the house. Open all the windows and doors, turn on ceiling fans, and wait. If this does not work, or if the problem keeps happening during a certain time of year, consider using a high-quality air purifier with a charcoal filter to scrub the smell from the air.

2. Use Vinegar to Bathe Animals (or Yourself)

If, after being sprayed by a skunk, your dog comes in drooling and scratching at his face, he will definitely track the skunk smell throughout the house. Try to contain him and give him a bath with a solution of white vinegar and water. Vinegar helps to remove the smell in a way that soap and water cannot.

3. Wash Affected Clothes in Hot Water

If you’re the victim of a skunk smell, or you’re trying to save your favourite shirt after your pet rubbed the scent onto the fabric, you’re going to have to override your desire to wash your clothes on a gentle cycle in cold water. Hot water, strong detergent, and maybe an extra rinse or two are your best ingredients for getting rid of the smell. Be prepared to throw away clothes and fabrics that you can’t save.

Get In Touch With Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control

Skunk smells are not harmful, but they can be incredibly annoying and can slowly destroy your quality of life if your pet keeps encountering these animals. In the worst-case scenario, a skunk is trapped in your crawlspace or in your home’s walls! At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we believe that the humane approach is always the best first choice for animal removal. Contact us today and we’ll help you get rid of your stinky guests before they cause more damage.