There are two skunk species that call San Diego county home- the striped skunk and the spotted skunk. They are very curious animals and can be found all over, from the wilds of Mission Trails to our very own backyards.
Before we get into the myths behind skunks, let's answer the number one myth surrounding skunks.
A tremendous Thank You to Dr. Ted Stankovich from the CSULB Mammal Lab for the skunk 101.
Myth 1:
Use tomato juice to get skunk smell out?
Not true. Tomato juice gives us a false sense of clean. YOU smell tomato juice, but everyone else smells skunk. If you or a pet get sprayed. DO NOT USE WATER. It will cause oil to spread.
Instead use use this remedy created by chemist, Dr. William Wood:
1 qt of Hydrogen Peroxide
1/4 cp Baking Soda
1 tsp liquid dish soap
Mix and rub over self or pet. Rinse with water AFTER you have lathered up. Repeat if necessary. New solution needs to be made each time. Bleach can be used on non-living things.
Myth 2:
Skunks are smelly creatures
Truth is they smell like a cat or other furry creature would. They are great at aiming their spray so as to not get on it on themselves.
Myth 3: Skunks spray without being provoked.
Skunks don't want to waste their spray if they don't have to. It takes 7-9 days to refill their storage of stink, so they don't want to be defenseless if they can prevent it. They will give you lots of warning signs: tail up, face forward, foot stomp, scrape dirt, hiss, turn and aim. .. .last resort is to spray.
Myth 4: Skunks major rabies vectors.
Although all mammals can get rabies, it is very unlikely for them to carry rabies.
How to keep skunks out:
Just like with other backyard critters, keep pet food and trash locked up.
