Got 3 traps that caught skunks last season. All are dyed and waxed. Is boiling the wax off all that needs done or do I need to soak in a peroxide / baking soda mix too ? They don't reek , but I'm sure a k9 could smell the trace scents. Plus don't want to contaminate my wax when waxing traps this fall. -Thanks

Is the wax coming off or are they rusting?

Boil the wax off or blast at car wash. Do the peroxide, baking sodas and Dawn wash. Dry. Wax. Spray paint or just dip in Andy Stoe or Mark Steck or Snare One dip. a little skunk smell is natural in nature. Don’t get bent out of shape over it. Coyotes really don’t care.

Caught one skunk last year (thank God) but I reset the trap and caught a possum. Catch circle was in mud so I moved the trap 15 yards and caught a coon. Reset and caught a fox. Moved again and caught a coyote. Made sure that trap stays just like it is for next year, lol. It’s easy to pick out just by smell, lol. It’s my lucky trap.

Never paid much attention to which traps caught skunks. Always wash off mud, dye again and wax. Never noticed smell after pulling out of hot dye ( usually sumac bark ) Never new skunk to contaminate my wax and have had the same wax pot for ten years I just keep adding to it. Catch coyote fox coon possum and skunks again every year in them traps without a lot of digging or rolling

You could throw them in a creek for a couple weeks and the nature clean the smell off them for you.

Good question Kyron4, I often wondered the same thing. I boiled a skunky trap in logwood dye and hung it in a tree in the rain and snow for two years and just checked it the other day figuring it would be good by now; nope, still has a faint odor to it. I was afraid to place in my wax too but I guess I will just use it.

I've got one in my laundry sink that caught a skunk in 2017... still stinks. Figured I'd set it around some rotten eggs to clean out skunks and grinners.

Water actually activates skunk smell.I always keep mine separate a d boil in drain cleaner and rinse.They never get in my dye or wax pots till thoroughly cleaned.The last thing I want is to telegraph where my trap is,to a keen nosed canine.I have fewer dug traps than anyone I know.

Just set them out.They will catch fur.Probably better than your other traps.