House Smells Like Skunk But No Skunks? (Here's Why)

A skunk smell is something no one wants to experience. Still, it is one thing to briefly catch a whiff of a skunk while driving by one on the freeway, and a whole different experience when you smell one close to home. It may confuse you then, when you notice a skunk smell in your home but can not seem to locate any skunks nearby.

If you smell a skunk in your home but do not smell a skunk there is a good chance there is a sewer gas leak. If you suspect a gas leak, exit the home and contact your natural gas provider immediately. Other reasons for a skunk smell include a pet sprayed by a skunk or something rotting in your home.

When you notice a skunk smell, the first thing you need to do is locate where it is coming from. Many things that cause skunk smells are not dangerous and can be easily removed, but the most common cause of skunk smells can be fatal if left unaddressed.

The most common and most dangerous cause of skunk smells in the home are sewage gas leaks. Gas leaks are absolutely deadly and can be very hard to detect right off the bat. If you notice a gas smell or a skunk smell near your gas lines or pipes, you should call your gas company right away.

If the smell is strong and overwhelming then call 911 and leave the house. Bring your kids and pets outside as well, as gas inhalation can be deadly as well. If you have a gas leak that’s been confirmed by your local officials, you will need to stay outside until they fix the problem. Only go inside once things are cleared.

Just because you do not see a skunk running around your house does not mean its smelly oils are not jumping on your furniture. It is quite common for pets, especially dogs, to get sprayed by skunks. Once sprayed, this very pungent odor will linger until it is addressed.

If you suspect your pet may have been sprayed by a skunk, get close and smell. This problem should be addressed immediately as the skunk smell can transfer to anything your pet touches, including your favorite furniture and rugs.

Animals can find their way into your home and get trapped in the walls. If they find themselves lost and stuck, they will eventually die and decompose. If you smell something similar to ammonia, an animal might have died inside your walls. The good news is that the smell will go away, eventually.

If you have vents, you can test your theory by smelling nearby events, or wall openings to see if you can smell the skunk-like odor. If so, try using fragrant smells to hide the skunk smell until it eventually stops on its own.

It is also possible that the skunk smell is not coming from an animal at all. In fact, one common source of a skunk smell is rotting food. If the smell is coming from somewhere in your kitchen then this may be your culprit.

Certain foods in the allium family, garlic in particular, can have a very putrid skunk-like smell as they rot and decompose. Many people leave these items in the pantry, and if left forgotten can leave your home smelling like skunk. Check inside the fridge but also in the pantry area where any onions, garlic or root vegetables may be stored.

Although marijuana is becoming legal in more states, it can still be found guilty of skunk smell everywhere. Certain strains of marijuana are known to have a skunk-like aroma to them. This normally is heightened when the marijuana is burned, but can even occur simply from being near a bud of cannabis .

A bit of incense, proper ventilation or a mason jar should solve this issue. If the smell is coming from your neighbors house, you may ask them to shut their window, or perhaps you can shut yours.

Most people grossly underestimate the power of a skunk’s odor glands. They don’t need to be inside a home to be capable of being smelled inside. If you have a family of skunks nesting under your porch, or inside a small corner of your walls, you will smell it as if they were next to you.

Should you be unable to trace the skunk smell to a gas leak or a sewage leak, the chances of you having skunks living near your home or in your home is high. If you cannot locate a skunk yourself, you should have an exterminator take a look at your home and figure out how to get rid of the unwanted guests.

If you smell a skunk but do not see any skunk nearby there is a good chance you have a sewer gas leak, and this needs to be addressed immediately. Sewer gas leaks can be very dangerous, and if left unresolved they can cause an explosion.

Once you have ruled out a sewer gas leak as the possible cause, you should check to make sure there is nothing rotting in your home – this can be anything from produce in the fridge to a dead animal in the wall. Make sure the smell is not coming from your pet.

If you still cannot find the source of the smell, you may want to call an exterminator to see if a professional can’t locate a clever family of hiding skunks nearby.