How to outsmell a skunk!

Myriam Armstrong has learned a few things as president and co-founder of Chatham-Kent’s Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR), including how to get rid of skunks using something so strong the odiferous critters run the other way.

“It’s not that big a secret,” she said, laughing. “If you want to get rid of skunks, use ammonia – they can’t stand it.”

Armstrong is spreading the word that “springtime means babies” for animals that have emerged from winter hungry and ready to make nests.

“We’re really promoting prevention instead of reaction,” she said. “If you have any holes in foundations, crawlspaces or around roof lines, it’s best to cover them now. Animals are looking for a place to nest and if we give them opportunities, we can’t complain when they make their home there.”
If you find an unwanted animal has chosen your home or outbuilding for a nest, Armstrong said it’s best to force them to move with a few simple techniques.

“If you take some ammonia soaked rags, put them in a margarine container and poke a few holes in the lid, you have a great system to get animals to move,” she said. “It smells to high heaven for animals and since they have a highly developed sense of smell, they don’t want to be anywhere near it. Since it’s covered, no one gets hurt.”

If the animals haven’t had babies yet, they’ll choose another location and if they have, they will come back for their litter.

“Racoons will come back at night and move the babies while squirrels will do it during the day,” she said. “It may take racoons three or four days to move their entire brood since they have to care for them in two locations.”

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She said if a homeowner finds what appears to be abandoned animal offspring, they should call her organization at 519-683-6778, Heaven’s Animal Rescue in Oil Springs or the Ministry of Natural Resources for information.

“Don’t immediately assume an animal is abandoned and needs your help,” she said. “Keep a watch and if you’re sure the mother isn’t around, take the animals in for the night to keep them away from cats.”

After that, place them outside as close as possible to where you think the nest was.

“The mother will come back for them within a day or else she’s likely dead,” Armstrong said.

She said her group discourages trapping.

“It’s not legal to trap and relocate an animal more than a kilometre away from where you found it,” she said. “You could be transporting an animal with distemper or some other disease and infecting a different colony.”