We are well into skunk season; the time of year when these odiferous mammals can be found roaming the suburbs, dwelling in crawl spaces and occasionally tangling with dogs, people and your customer's homes.

Skunks do not hibernate, but they do tend to go into a dormant state during the winter, especially in colder climates. They make or find a warm den to share with other skunks to keep warm  until early Spring.

Spring is mating season. Males spend this time roaming in search of females. Once mated, the females have about a 2 month gestation period before the young are born in mid-May to early June. During this period, they look for a comfortable place to stay. Crawl spaces can be a convenient nesting spot.

The young stay with the females for up to 1 year. The females are very protective when accompanied by their kits. So encounters with dogs or people often lead to memorable consequences.

Many home remedies exist, but few work well. The exception would be a hydrogen peroxide mixture known as Krebaum's formula. This can be used on some surfaces but will damage others.

If one of your client's calls for help with a skunk odor problem, be sure they also check with their insurance agent. Home-owners policies may provide coverage.
To learn how to deal with these unpleasant, penetrating odors, including how to mix and use Krebaum's formula, read the Cleaning and Restoration Technical Bulletin on skunk odors in the deodorization section of  www.Cleanwiki.com.

Scott Warrington has over 40 years experience in the cleaning industry, including a number of years on the SCRT Board of Directors. He currently serves at Director of Technical Services for Interlink Supply and Bridgepoint Systems.