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Skunks spray as a defense mechanism to ward off predators. The active ingredient in their sulfurous, oily musk is n-butyl mercaptan, which evaporates into a powerful and smelly gas. Once the spray hits the skunk’s target, the stench can linger for days, and water and common cleaning kits aren’t enough to wash it away.

If you happen upon a skunk in your yard, try to back away slowly to reduce the chance of them aiming at you. Encouragingly, they don’t use their weapon casually, as it can take up to 10 days for their life-saving weaponry to refill. Paw stamping, hissing, lifting their tail, and arching their back are early signs they feel trapped or under threat and that it’s time to make a careful retreat.

Carpenter bees do not make honey like honey bees, but they are still essential pollinators. In fact, they have a unique talent called "buzz pollination," in which they use the vibration from their wings to help release pollen from the flowers' anthers. Honey bees are also vital pollinators but do not use this process because they are too small and lack the strength required to buzz pollinate.

When a wasp stings, it pushes its stinger into the skin and releases venom. The sting site will typically become inflamed and swollen and likely hurt quite a bit. 

Some people are allergic to the venom and can have serious allergic reactions to a wasp sting. This sting could cause the throat to swell, difficulty breathing, hives, rapid heart rate, and vomiting. If you or someone has an allergic reaction to a wasp sting, it’s important to call 911 for emergency treatment, as reactions can be life-threatening.

No, pill bugs do not bite, and they do not transmit diseases. Pill bugs also don’t infest wood like carpenter ants or termites do, so they don’t pose a threat to your home either. In fact, pill bugs pose no threat to humans beyond stealing your veggies.