Get matched with top animal fencing pros in Old Forge, NY

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.

The cost of removing a hornets nest ranges from $300 to $400, depending on the size and location of the active nest. Bald-faced hornet removal costs more than the average—about $625 to $750. The price tag also depends on the eradication method, ranging from aerosol sprays and dusting to vacuuming and extermination.

As with anything ingested by animals, there is always a chance that mushrooms will be toxic. Clearing the tops of mushrooms from the soil to prevent them from being eaten by pets is always a good idea. Since poisonous mushrooms can be deadly, we recommended that any mushroom ingestion is treated as a veterinary emergency. Watch for signs of lethargy and digestive distress in any animal suspected to have eaten a mushroom and contact your vet immediately.

No, one snake does not always mean more. While snakes do often congregate in dens to breed, for most of the year, they are primarily solitary creatures that do not travel in groups. A single snake may make its way near your home in search of food, warmth, or shelter.