Hello everyone.
Im in my 2nd season of trapping and caught my 1st skunk this morning. Ive brought it home, skinned it, and washed the blood and dirt from it. I hung it to dry in the shade on an outside shed wall before moving it to fridge overnight and fleshing it in the morning. I just went to check to see if it was dry and noticed hundreds of tiny white bugs in its fur (i did not notice them at any other time this morning). Have yall seen these? What are they and whats the best means to get rid of them? I have never seen them on any other catch Ive made (25) this season.
Thanks!

Sound like mites.
Used to see them on lots of different animals,now dont see them no more.They crawl up to the ends of the guard hairs on dead animals.

not sure what they are but i would think put it in the freezer for a night or two should kill them and they would fall off i would think

fly larvae ?

do you have pic, ?

Im away from house at moment so no pic available at this time. My research has them most closely resembling lice. Likely were closer to skin and unnoticed until their food supply was removed and they started abandoning ship looking for a new host?
I'll see if I can get a pic posted when I get home.

Crabs. Warn your wife immediately.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

That dirty skunk!

Soray with raid and wrap in a plastic bag

Yup raid and a bag. I hit every land critter as I skin in the house with pets and kids. Not to mention a wife who doesn't appreciate new woodland friends.

In 60 years of trapping I've never seen it necessary to spray insecticides on my pelts. Wrap in the bag and freeze it. Don't know of any bug that will resist freezing.

I agree it sounds like lice or mites to me.

Most insects take temperatures of 0°F to -30F to die. That's why so many survive the freezing cold temps outside. Some insects can actually take lower temps

That is true Turtle but I've not known lice and fleas to be among those that handle freezing. Most freezers run at around 10F which I've always found to be adequate.

According to what I just now looked up on google (to make sure I was right) fleas will die at 44F....so as you can see, they're quite vulnerable to freezing.

X 2 although not quite as long as this old guy. ^^^

i spray all land animals, as I don't have enough freezer space

Fly larvae animal laid around too long

He is exaggerating a bit on his years of trapping, unless you consider setting mouse traps in the family barn. Truth be known, he only has right around 50 years of fur trapping.

As the critter no longer gives off heat freezing should workThats why they crawl up the guard hairs when you skin its not to admire the view