Whether you're taking an evening stroll with your dog or hiking through the woods, you may run into a skunk. We know these large pests for their odorous spray that reeks of sulfur. That is the smell of thiol, noted William Wood, Ph.D at Humboldt State University, for Popular Science. That odor alerts us to danger. You may notice it if skunks are looking through your trash for food. Approach them with caution.
What causes skunks to spray? These creatures will "skunk" other animals - or humans - if they feel threatened. Ken Cheek, of Calgary Humane Wildlife Control, noted that skunks will give several warning signs before resorting to spraying their aggressors. These signs include stomping, growling and baring its teeth.
Once a skunk decides to spray, it can spray accurately up to 10 feet away from its target. They also spray in an arc - so if you are nearby, you may get caught in the line of fire.
And no matter how quickly you try to bring your dog into the house, before you can react, you or your pup might get skunked. The smell feels impossible to get rid of and seems to linger no matter how many baths you give him. How are you supposed to de-skunk your pet?
Professionals advise that you step away from the tomato juice.
"That's kind of old-school," Christine Maybach, who works as an animal control specialist, noted. This remedy is more urban myth than proven fact. Instead of tomato juice, try a litre of hydrogen peroxide with ¼ cup baking soda and one or two tablespoons of dish soap, The Humane Society advised.
In addition, avoid the instinct to hop into the shower, said Cheek. Skunk spray is oily - so water will only spread it along your skin, instead of neutralizing it. If you want to make sure the scent is gone, invest in a de-skunking product.
If you see a skunk creeping along the perimeter of your yard or digging up your grass, they're likely looking for food. To keep them away, you can dip rags into ammonia and cayenne pepper and spread them on your lawn. You can also scare them off with a flashlight when you are outside with your dog. Your pup, once sprayed, will know the terrible smell - and will be sure to keep away.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
