Why There Are So Many Dead Skunks in Indiana and Kentucky Right Now

Scent-sational Saturday

On Saturday, my daughter and I pulled up to the barn where we board our horse. Before I even turned off the engine, we caught the very distinct smell of burning onions and garlic. A skunk had definitely sprayed nearby.

We got out of the truck, and that’s when the full force of the stench hit us. The barn owner told me that a skunk had wandered onto the property and was in the process of dying. They wanted to ensure it was completely dead before attempting to move it.

I Got Skunked

I walked past the skunk but never got close to it, and my truck was parked a good distance away. We went home, and I parked in the garage like usual. A few hours later, when I went back out, the smell nearly knocked me over. Somehow, the skunk's spray had permeated my vehicle!

I immediately sprang into action - vacuuming, cleaning the leather, and taking all the tack out of the truck. I even burned an incense stick and took it to get washed. But no matter what I did, the smell still lingered!

It 'Reeked' Havoc on my Truck

Two days later, there's still a little odor but it's getting better. Since our skunk incident, I started noticing that there are a lot of dead skunks on the side of the road. What gives?

Why are There So Many Skunks Dead on the Side of the Road?

Apparently, it's skunk mating season. According to a Facebook post from Monroe County, IL. Health Department, February through early March is skunk breeding season. According to poisoncontrol.org, when the weather is warm, the skunks really get busy. So, all the skunks you see on the side of the road are the direct result of Pepé Le Pew chasing after Penelope Pussycat.

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Why Don't We Want Skunks in Our Yard?
Creature Control stated that skunks are among the nation's top carriers of rabies. Always keep your pets up-to-date on their vaccines, as skunks can also carry Canine Distemper, Leptospirosis, and Tularemia.

What Should You Do If You Encounter a Skunk?
The post goes on to explain that skunks don't just go around trying to spray everything. They have poor eyesight and will spray when threatened, so try not to startle them. If you do meet up with a skunk, don't just run off - they can spray up to 10 feet, and you probably can't run fast enough. Instead, speak softly to them and back away slowly and quietly.

The Skunk Warning System
Skunks will give you a warning if they are about to spray. They start by stomping their feet and turning their backside toward the intended target. If you see them doing a handstand, forget what I said earlier about sticking around and speaking softly - RUN!

What Should You Do If You or a Pet Are Sprayed by a Skunk?

If you are unlucky enough to get sprayed or have to deal with a pet that has been sprayed, just know you are in for a process.

Don't rub or roll around. The sticky, oily substance that they spray is just going to get on everything and can end up in places you definitely don't want - like your eyes. First, put on rubber gloves and blot the area with paper towels. The Monroe County, IL Health Department suggests mixing a paste from 1 teaspoon Dawn dish soap, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and ¼ cup baking soda, then spreading it on the affected area. They caution not to add water! Let it sit for ten minutes, then rinse it off and repeat as needed.

How to Keep Skunks Out of Your Yard
Creature Control has some suggestions for making your yard a place skunks don’t want to visit:

1. Eliminate food sources, including scraps, pet food, and garbage, which they find especially scrumptious.
2. Skunks will make dens for their families, so clean up wood piles, yard debris, and close off any small spaces, like crawl spaces.
3. Install motion lights - they are nocturnal and prefer the dark. Making your yard as illuminated as possible will deter them from coming around.