Finding And Removing Dead Skunks

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There are several different ways that you can end up with a dead skunk on your property, and these can include the skunk died after becoming trapped in a particular location or that someone in your area put down poison to try and deal with the problem. Skunks will not necessarily go outside to die, and often they will return to the area where they feel safest, so the location where they had made their den. Make sure you take the right precautions before carrying out this work, and that you are wearing thick long sleeved clothing, gloves, a breathing mask and goggles to ensure that you don't catch any of the diseases transmitted by skunks and their parasites.



Follow The Smell

This will often be the first indicator that you may have an animal carcass that is decomposing on your property, and with a skunk's carcass it can often be particularly pungent as the fluid in its anal glands may be gradually released after death. If you see the carcass in the open, then you can go to the bagging and disposal sections, but if it isn't in the open, then follow your nose to the place where the smell is strongest, and start searching from that point.

Finding The Precise Location

Skunks will usually remain at ground level, so it is rare to find a carcass in the attic, but if you do have a cavity beneath a shed, porch or deck then this is often a location where the carcass will be found. Search all the crevices and spaces where the smell may be coming from, but be careful as skunks often share a den with other skunks too.

Bagging A Dead Skunk

Once you find the carcass, you will need either two thick plastic garbage bags or a container that can be sealed to carry the carcass. Gently move the carcass into the bag or the container, and be careful as if it has been decaying it may break apart as you try to move it. Once you have the carcass in the bag, tie a knot in the bag, and then double bag the carcass to seal it, or seal the container that you are using to remove the animal.

Disposing Of The Skunk's Carcass

The best option in this case is to incinerate the carcass as soon as possible, but if there is no obvious place where this can be carried out, then the carcass can also be left out with the garbage to be collected on its usual day. Make sure it is stored in a location where no other pest animals can gain access to the carcass. For more information, you may want to click on one of these guides that I wrote:
How much does skunk removal cost? - get the lowdown on prices.
How to get rid of skunks - my main skunk removal info guide.