What to do if you Find a Dead Skunk in Your Newmarket Yard

As upsetting as it can be to find a live skunk on your property, finding a dead skunk can be even worse. A decomposing carcass always gives off odours as it decomposes, but a skunk may smell worse because its body may gradually release any unused musk remaining in its anal glands. For this reason, it is important to deal with a skunk's carcass promptly, but don't be in such a hurry that you do not take certain safety precautions. If you aren't sure how to get rid of a skunk carcass, here are some steps to follow.

1. Locate the Dead Skunk Carcass

If the carcass is out in the open, this step is easy because you can see it. However, the skunk may have died in a den or burrow on your property, in which case locating the carcass may be more complicated. Here are some tips to help simplify the process. First, most skunk species cannot climb, so the first places you should look are on the lower levels of your property, such as under porches or decks or behind or in sheds. Second, the odours from a skunk's body get stronger the closer you get to it because the chemical molecules that cause it are more concentrated. Therefore, before you start looking, follow your nose. You can narrow down your search radius by looking first where the smell is most evident.

2. Be Aware of Other Skunks

If the skunk died in a burrow or den, there may be others present. This is something to be cautious of as you search for the carcass as the living skunks may see your presence as a threat. They could spray you or potentially bite and scratch if you get too close. Skunks are usually solitary creatures, but the exception is mother skunks raising their offspring. If the dead skunk is the mother, the ones that remain may be her orphaned babies. If the time of year is late summer or early fall, these skunks may be almost full-grown and ready to find food for themselves. However, if it is spring or early summer, the babies may be too small to find their own food. In this scenario, call animal control or a wildlife rescue that may be able to take care of the orphaned skunks.

3. Protect Yourself From Bacteria

The reason that the dead carcasses of animals decompose is that bacteria feed on the flesh, causing it to break down. In this respect, bacteria are helpful; without them, the world would be covered with dead animal carcasses. Nevertheless, these same bacteria could cause disease if you were to come into contact with the carcass directly. It is not advisable to dispose of the carcass yourself, but if you have to handle it for some reason, you should wear rubber gloves, a face mask, and possibly goggles or a face shield to protect your eyes. You should wear work boots if you have them, and wear clothes that cover as much of your skin as possible. Your clothing may become befouled by skunk musk, so choose old clothes that you don't mind disposing of if necessary. Remove these clothes as soon as possible after handling the skunk so you don't spread bacteria throughout the house. If you don't throw them away, launder them in a separate load as soon as possible.

4. Call Skedaddle for Skunk Removal in Newmarket

We don't only remove living skunks from your property, though if the dead skunk still has family members left behind, this is something we can help you with. We safely dispose of the carcass and then clean and clear the areas where the skunk had been, removing the odour of the skunk musk and disinfecting any residual bacteria. Find out more about how our clean-and-clear service keeps your family safe.