Butylmercaptan - the Striped Skunk's most distinguishable characteristic.  Not everyone in Oregon has seen a skunk, but when one is around, you know it.  The Striped Skunk is the most common type of skunk found in Oregon, with very few sightings of the other kind, the Western Spotted Skunk.  The Striped Skunk has a glossy black body, with two striking white stripes running from the nape of the neck to the base of the tail.  These animals have beady black eyes and long claws used for digging.

The skunk has a pair of musk glands on either side of the anus, which are able to discharge a solution of seven different sulfides, which not only smell terrible, but can cause nausea and temporary blindness.  The Striped Skunk sprays only when frightened, and under ideal conditions, can spray up to 20 feet.  When frightened, the skunk stamps his feet and may growl or hiss in an attempt to scare off predators.  If that doesn't work, it will shift into a U shape, pointing both it's anus and it's face toward the perceived attacker, lift it's tail, and target the eyes with it's concentrated spray.  Scientists say skunk odor can be detected by the human nose in as little as 10 parts per billion! 

There are many home remedies to get rid of skunk spray, but the only way to do it is by changing the actually chemicals in the spray.  This can be done one of two ways.  The first way is to be used on buildings, decks, and other inanimate objects only, and NOT TO BE USED ON LIVING CREATURES!  One cup of liquid bleach is mixed with a gallon of water, and applied directly to the wall, deck, etc. that the skunk has sprayed.  Repeated applications may be necessary.  The second cure is suitable for pets and humans as long as it is applied cautiously and carefully.  Mix a quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide with a quarter cup of baking soda, and a teaspoon of dish detergent and bathe your pet in this mixture for five minutes.  After that, remove the animal and rinse it thoroughly with water.  This can also be repeated if necessary.  Be warned though, it may bleach the animal's hair.  This mixture can also be applied to humans, and works best using an old washcloth that you don't mind losing it's color.  Be sure to rinse with plenty of water, as the hydrogen peroxide can irritate your skin.  

Females give birth to 2 to 10 blind babies after a gestation period of 62 to 64 days.  After 3 to 4 weeks the young skunks are able to open their eyes, and after 5 to 6 weeks, they are able to spray.  The young are weaned at around 6 to 7 weeks, but may stay and forage with the mother until the mating period begins again in the late winter.

Skunks can be regular visitors to your property in search of food, or maybe they've taken up residence in your crawlspace, or under your shed or deck.  Regardless, we provide trapping and removal services to make sure they leave you and your property alone. 

Common Problems
Skunk in the crawlspace
Skunk under the deck
Skunk under a shed
Skunk in the backyard
Skunk sprayed a pet

Signs of Skunks
Round, cone-shaped holes in yard or garden
Skunk spray on walls, pets, or even yourself
Skunk odor lingering for days
Open crawlspace vent
Musky odor in crawlspace
Nest of dried leaves and grasses in crawlspace
Excrement found all over crawlspace

Diseases
Leptospirosis
Distemper
Canine hepatitis
Pseudorabies
Rabies
Mites, lice, ticks, fleas, roundworms, and tapeworms