Wildlife encounters of the not-so-pleasant kind

[deborahjross]

I had just fallen asleep when I heard Dave shouting outside, "Oka, come! COME!" (Oka is his German Shepherd Dog, Shutzhund championship lines, 4 1/2 years old, basic obedience titled) And then the smell hit...

Mephitis mephitis

From all the evidence, a skunk had indeed taken up residence in our yard, digging for grubs and moles, eating fallen fruit, hiding under the house. Oka had pounced on it, the skunk was on its back, spraying in all directions. Obedience training held, Oka came running, and got away with only a little lingering smell. However, the incident took place outside our bedroom window, which shall Remain Closed Until Further Notice. Dave's calling the local pest control people to see if they do Skunk Removal and Odor Abatement.

Comments

[manawolf.livejournal.com]

Not a very bright skunk, making it's home right under the nose of a predator. Then again, most predators are smart enough to leave the striped one alone, and the skunk knows it!

ow!

[evilfoo.livejournal.com]

From here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunk -

The following Skunk Smell Remover Formula is effective in removing skunk smell from sprayed victims, as proven in an episode of MythBusters

1 U.S. Quart (approx 1 litre) of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
1/4 cup (approx 45ml) baking soda.
1 teaspoon (approx 5ml) liquid soap.
Directions: Mix together at time of usage, and apply foaming mixture to affected areas.

How it works: The oxygen molecules emitted by the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda reaction deactivate the smell molecules by binding to them and rendering them inert.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

I don't believe skunks are known for their intelligence. In evolutionary terms, they don't have to be smart. This one may be fairly young. The pest control guy says this is the season when the kits are first on their own (staking out new territory, no doubt) and Dave says it looked like a small one.

Pest control guy comes tomorrow morning. It's really expensive to trap them, but we can try "exclusion" and discouraging tactics, hoping it will find this neighborhood poor pickings and decide to move on.

Re: ow!

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Thanks, evilfoo! I'll make a note of that. Fortunately, the smell seems to have disippated. The heat of the afternoon may have helped. Oka is back to his normal doggie smell. We go off lucky!