What Does It Mean If You Smell Skunk at Night?

Skunks are abundant throughout North America’s urban areas, though it is more common for people to smell them than see them. Homeowners, especially those who have pets, may discover that they have a skunk on their property when they smell the animal’s odour at night or when their pet comes in smelling like rotten eggs. If you suspect you have a skunk on your property, contact Skedaddle’s experts in humane wildlife control in Okanagan. You are most likely to detect its presence after dark, so don’t be surprised if you smell a skunk at night.

Skunks That Spray in the Night

Skunks are nocturnal creatures. They are more active when the sun goes down than they are during the daylight hours. It isn’t uncommon for these shy and generally docile animals to use their primary form of defence at night. A skunk sprays when it feels threatened or is startled. Females also use their stench to tell a potential suitor that his attentions are not welcome. Skunk spray is an oily substance that contains sulphur compounds. If the animal releases all its spray, it can take it 10 days to recharge, leaving it nearly defenceless in the meantime. For this reason, skunks are not quick to shoot, resorting to spraying only when they feel it is necessary. Though a skunk does not spray unless it is startled or as a last resort, its nighttime activity makes it more likely that it will have close encounters with a potential predator or your pet.

Steps That Keep Pets Free of Skunk Stink

Dogs and cats are frequent victims of skunk spraying. When they go out at night, they may happen upon a skunk doing its thing and get way too close for the skunk’s comfort. They may take the skunk by surprise or continue to approach despite the skunk’s warning signs to stay back. If you have a pet that goes outside at night, there are steps you can take to keep them from getting sprayed, including:

• Walking it on a leash and sticking to the sidewalk
• Keeping your yard well lit
• Making a lot of noise before letting your pet out the door

You can also make your yard less appealing to skunks by keeping your trash bins secure and storing pet food indoors.

Signs That Indicate Scram Is at Home

You can catch a whiff of a skunk’s potent odour up to 2 km away, so smelling a skunk after dark does not mean you have one living on or visiting your property. In general, the stronger the smell, the nearer the skunk. If it seems close, it may just be passing through on its foraging and hunting rounds rather than denning on your property. Though the smell is unpleasant, the critter will likely move on. Signs that the skunk has set up its home on your property include:

• A musty smell near your porch, shed or deck
• Footprints that resemble a cat’s but slightly larger and with five claw marks
• Small round holes in your yard
• The release of odour on multiple occasions, which may indicate a mama is on the property with her little ones or that it’s mating season

If you notice any of these signs, contact experts in skunk removal who can humanely remove the animal without stressing it or causing it to spray.

A Company That Helps With Wildlife Control in Okanagan

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control understands skunk behaviour and biology. We know how to safely and humanely remove any skunks that have taken up residence on your property. If you have a mama denning with her kits, we make sure they are kept safe and reunited. When you smell a skunk at night, get in touch with our office to schedule skunk removal services.