Happy Valentine's Day! What are you giving or hoping to receive for the day? Maybe, some perfume or cologne?
Scents, smells and odors are vaporized, volatile molecules of a substance (another body or maybe our own, a flower, some decomposing matter) that we take into our own bodies when we inhale. The molecules enter us and for a short time actually become part of us. Since the 1940's chemists have been cataloging smell molecules using gas chromatography. After each of the chemicals individually exit thechromatograph, a human being sniffs and within seconds identifies what that particular chemical smells like. The sensory scientist performing this job has a well-trained and very refined sense ofolfaction! There are definitely some smells that no one wants to be near. One that is common this time of year is skunk spray.
Skunk spray is a skunk's natural defense. Acrid and sulfurous, this spray is emitted from two anal glands and can hit its intended target from 10 feet. If it hits the skin or eyes it immediately causes tearing. If nearby, the odor alone can induce nausea, and we humans, with our lesser smelling capabilities, can still detect it in minute amounts of 10 parts per billion. Skunks do give warnings before spraying. They stomp their front feet, hiss, and finally, arch their tails over their backs exposing their anal glands before firing. They don't want to waste what takes some time to be replenished. They are usually docile and would rather not fight, using this measure of self-defense when frightened, injured, or feeling trapped. They have poor vision, but good hearing and great olfaction.
Another reason male skunks spray is to ward off other suitors during the breeding season. Our Valentine's season is also their Valentine's season – late January into early March. We have two skunk species in California: the spotted skunk that is active at night and is about half the size of a house cat and its larger relative the striped skunk usually active at dawn, dusk and night, and occasionally during the day when near humans. Both species are omnivorous and eat what is seasonal or readily available. Insects, grubs, and earthworms are favorites. Skunks will leave cone-shaped depressions in lawns and even rolled-back sections of lawns where they have been foraging. They like fallen fruit, ripe berries, fallen birdseed, small rodents, snakes, lizards, frogs, garbage, compost, and pet food. They are quite effective rodent killers.
Some tips for keeping Pepé Le Pew on the move through your place and not taking up residence in search of amour include the following. If you see a skunk, back away so it doesn't feel threatened. Remove bird feeders (especially this time of year); otherwise, keep the seed off the ground. Make sure garbage can lids are down and secured. Don't feed your pets outside. Pet food is an attractant. If you are having nightly visitation, and you have need to go outside at night yourself or with your pets, turn the outside lights on first and check before releasing the dogs. Remove objects on the ground that insects can hide under and prune overgrown shrubs to prevent potential skunk dens. Manage lawn grubs. Skunks can harbor rabies, so if trying to remove a skunk, it's best left to an experienced trapper. Commercial repellents are not very effective.
If you or your pet does get sprayed, a simple concoction works on pets, people, clothes, and some inanimate objects.
Mix together: 1 qt. hydrogen peroxide + ¼ cup baking soda + 1 tsp. liquid soap.
Do not rinse off the pet or person first. Put on gloves and apply to the victim with a rag soaked with the mixture keeping it out of the victim's eyes. Leave the mixture on for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. It may need to be repeated. This solution is not stable and can't be stored, so dilute it several times thoroughly with water before dumping the residual.
Skunks are valuable for the ecosystem, but their “perfume” is not one most find intoxicatingly alluring unless that other being is a female skunk! In the words of Dean Martin: “That's amore!”