Okanagan Wildlife Control: How Long Does A Skunk Smell Last?

Skunk smell lingers for a while and permeates the area. While many people claim to have odour removal solutions, most are hit or miss. The following remedies offer the best chance of odour removal for various scenarios, but preventative actions with wildlife control in Okanagan are best.

Potential Remedy for Removing Skunk Odour in the Car

Hitting any animal with your vehicle is traumatic, but when a skunk is run over, it is natural for its defensive glands to release. The pungent odour from these glands can get sucked into your vehicle's interior from the ventilation system. It is crucial to address the smell quickly before it has time to set. A potential remedy is to mix ¼ cup baking soda with one-quart hydrogen peroxide and one teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Using a clean cloth, scrub down the interior of your vehicle. While it might be tempting, do not saturate the surfaces. Additionally, avoid contact with fabric as the peroxide can cause discoloration. You will want to use clean water and a fresh cloth to scrub down the interior fabrics. Use a dry towel pressed into the surfaces to dry each. The exterior of your car is likely the easiest to clean. You will wash it the way you typically do. If you want, you can take it to a coin wash and use pressure sprayers to help remove most of the odour.  Finally, to remove any lingering odour, you will want to use charcoal. Place the charcoal in a plastic container and poke several holes in the lid. You will need to leave the container in your vehicle for several weeks, ensuring it has plenty of time to absorb the remaining smell.

Removing Skunk Odour From Pets

Pets frequently experience the pungent retribution of skunks, especially dogs. Dogs are naturally defensive of their territory and curious about any intruders. Unfortunately, the animal's excitable behaviour does not read well with skunks leading to a defensive response. If your pet is sprayed, try removing the odour with the same solution you mixed for the interior of your car: ¼ cup baking soda, one quart 3% hydrogen peroxide, and one teaspoon liquid dish soap. Mix it just before use, and wear rubber gloves when applying it to your pet's coat.  It is crucial to keep the solution away from your pet’s mouth and eyes. When finished scrubbing your pet down, rinse them and immediately bathe them with appropriate pet shampoo.

Eliminating Skunk Odour From Clothing

The instinct is to throw your clothing in the wash with regular detergent, but that could be a mistake. Depending on the severity of the odour, you might inadvertently transfer the smell to the machine. Instead, you want to soak the clothing in a mixture of vinegar and water: one part vinegar to four parts water. Leave the washable clothes in the mix for several hours.  After the clothing soaks, thoroughly rinse the material with water before placing it in the washer. Using detergent mixed with ½ cup of baking soda, you want to wash the materials in hot water for a repeat cycle and then hang the clothing outside to dry.

Removing Odour From the Home

When a person or pet gets sprayed, it is not uncommon for the odour to ruminate indoors. You can potentially remove the smell from your house by opening all windows with ceiling fans running. If possible, place dishes of vinegar around the house with a pan of vinegar heating on the stove.

Removing the Risk of Odour

In hindsight, the best way to eliminate skunk odour is by removing skunks from your property. Skunk removal is not a DIY solution; it requires the trained assistance of wildlife removal experts. If you believe you have a skunk on your property, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. The company will send expert technicians to your home to assess the property and determine a humane removal solution.