Just imagine, if a skunk’s spray smells so bad, how must a dead skunk stink?!
Ugh! Terrible!
If your nose picks up an odor that’s so out-of-this-world nasty that it makes you puke, chances are you have a dead skunk nearby.
You must find the carcass and dispose of it ASAP before it worsens. But how to get rid of a dead skunk?
Getting rid of a living skunk is one thing, but disposing of a dead one is another story. Here are five steps to dispose of a dead skunk:
- Locate the dead skunk.
- Assemble all the tools.
- Pick up the carcass.
- Seal the dead skunk in a plastic garbage bag.
- Dispose of the skunk body.
Following these DIY steps, you can quickly locate and remove the skunk before it rots and stinks even worse!
A dead skunk’s odor can make your life miserable as it can attract other pests and critters to your property. So, let’s get into the steps to eliminate the skunk corpse.
5 Steps To Get Rid of a Dead Skunk
Disposing of any dead animal can be daunting, especially if it has been rotting for days.
With a skunk, the problem is that it already is a stinker of an animal, and once it bites the dust, things can get nasty fast.
So, let’s begin…
1. Locate the Dead Skunk
When you smell the pestilent odor, the first step is to locate the source.
After all, how can you dispose of a dead critter if you don’t know where its body is?
Know that dead animals have a distinct, outright unbearable smell, so follow the scent to where it is the strongest.
If you or anyone of your neighbors have a pet dog, it’ll help you locate the carcass fast!
Often, skunks try to get inside homes and get stuck in the process. Be sure to check the following spots first for the source of the odor:
- Basement
- Window wells
- Attic
- Crawl space
- Gaps within the walls, porch, or deck
Because they can’t get out, they perish in these spaces. Once you have located the carcass, it’s time to assemble the items.
2. Assemble All the Tools
Now that you have located the skunk’s body, you should head back and gather all your tools. The items you’ll need are as follows:
- Shovel
- Thick long sleeved rubber gloves
- Disposable full-body clothes
- Breathing mask & goggles
- Heavy-duty plastic garbage bags
Skunks carry rabies and other dangerous viruses and parasites, so you must protect yourself at all costs. Remember, NEVER get close to a dead skunk with your bare hands!
It would be best to ensure that no pathogen contacts your body. This is why you should cover yourself fully to prevent inhalation through the nose, mouth, and even the eyes.
3. Picking Up the Skunk Carcass
Once back at the dead skunk’s location, ready two plastic garbage bags by opening them up and placing them next to you for easy access.
You can double the bags by inserting one into another for extra safety.
An adult skunk can weigh close to 15 lbs, so ensure you’re up to the task, as accidentally dropping a skunk carcass may release unwanted stench and diseases.
Now, take the shovel and slowly scoop up the skunk carcass. Try not to shake. Hold it stable and move the shovel toward the open-mouth garbage bags.
Drop the dead skunk in and scoop any waste or corpse material from that spot into the garbage bag.
4. Seal the Dead Skunk in a Plastic Garbage Bag
With the dead skunk in the bag, you can use a small rope to tie the bag shut. Or, you can tie the opening into a knot and use zip ties to fasten it for an even tighter grip.
Ensure the bag is not torn and the opening is sealed properly. Having a damaged plastic garbage bag or leaving the opening unsealed is unsafe, as the rotting smell will escape and attract other pests and critters.
5. Disposing of the Skunk Body
Now that you have secured the plastic garbage bag with the skunk body inside, it’s time to remove it.
Whatever you do, please don’t throw the bag in your garbage can or leave it outside near the dumpster. The bag might get penetrated by a wandering animal or a person and expose them to diseases!
Even though the best course of action would be to incinerate the dead skunk, you’ll need to find a suitable place that does that.
However, the next best thing would be to bury the critter’s corpse. Find a space in an open area far away from residential houses. A secluded area would be perfect!
Once you have picked a spot, use the shovel to dig a hole at least 3 to 4 feet deep. Putting some lime on the buried plastic bag would mask any escaping odor.
Ensure you have properly and fully buried the skunk carcass to prevent any animal from digging it back up.
What To Do About the Lingering Smell?
If you’re still getting whiffs of the stink, there may still be some residual fluids left behind from the dead skunk body. Here’s what you can do about the lingering smell:
- Use a solution of ammonia, baking soda, and laundry detergent to wash the spot
- Mix 1 or 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach with a gallon of water to clean the area
- Neutralize the smell with 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap, half a cup of baking soda, and 1 liter of 3% hydrogen peroxide
Summary
It’s important that as soon as you start smelling something putrid or spot a dead skunk on your property, you get into action!
These five steps can help you get rid of the dead skunk:
- Locate the dead skunk
- Assemble all the tools
- Pick up the carcass
- Seal the dead skunk in a plastic garbage bag
- Disposing of the skunk body
Remember, if you’re not up to the task or cannot find the dead skunk, it would be best to call animal control to solve the problem!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Will a Dead Skunk Smell if Not Disposed Immediately?
Being stinky animals in the first place, a dead skunk (if not disposed of!) can smell for months! So, either find the carcass and dispose of it yourself or call an animal control specialist to do it for you!
Can Dead Skunks Still Spray?
Even though skunks only spray when alive and frightened, their dead bodies may forcefully release the spray when disturbed.
