With two large German Shepherds and a lovable but nosy mutt "it" could happen soon. One of these days, while checking under a wood pile or shed , at least one of the dogs will encounter a peppermint kitty and he will let them have "it". Skunk spray , one of the most obnoxious smells, works quite well for the sprayer. The sprayed upon however have burning eyes, nausea, and owners who no longer want them as close companions.
There are a number of commercial preparations, none of which I have found to be worth their price. So grab a glass of tomato juice and drink that as you prepare the following recipe:
- ONE QUART OF 3 PERCENT HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
- 1 CUP BAKING SODA
- 1 TEASPOON OF LIQUID SOAP
This needs to be used shortly after mixing and should not be stored, as it gives off oxygen gas, which could case a closed container to burst. For large or long haired dogs, you will need more batches. Don't hesitate to repeat the process if odors linger.
Accoding to Wikipedia:
Skunks have two glands, on either side of the anus, that produce a mixture of sulfur-containing chemicals (methyl and butyl thiols) that has a highly offensive smell that most people describe as a combination of the odors of rotten eggs, garlic and burnt rubber. The odor of the fluid is strong enough to ward off bears and other potential attackers, and can be difficult to remove from clothing. Muscles located next to the scent glands allow them to spray with high accuracy as far as 2 to 3 metres (7 to 10 ft).
The singular musk-spraying ability of the skunk has not escaped the attention of biologists: the names of the family and the most common genus (Mephitidae, Mephitis) mean "stench", and Spilogale putorius means "stinking spotted weasel". The word skunk is a corruption of an Abenaki name for them, segongw or segonku, which means "one who squirts" in the Algonquian dialect
Keep in mind that skunks go into inactivity during our long Minnesota winters and winter is always just around the corner.
ENJOY!
Kathleen Lordbock- Home Staging and Interior Redesign in the Brainerd Lakes area
Re$ale Design & Home Staging
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