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Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 11:46 AM

[blog]When I moved in a groundhog had dug a burrow under one of the back patios. He moved out and some skunks moved in. Last night I stuck a hose into the burrow and turned the faucet on full blast. A few minutes later out came a small family of skunks. All looked older than babies, but not quite full adults. No sign of a mother or father skunk, it looks like just four adolescent skunks. An animal removal company is supposed to stop by tomorrow and remove them humanely. Right now they are huddled under a bush, but they have been circling the house looking for a spot to sleep. Hopefully they will retreat back into the woods. [/blog]

Anyone know a way to speed the process of them moving out? I have some music playing loudly with the bass turned up high. I can't shoot them as I am not allowed to have a gun on the premises.

Here's a picture of one of the little guys:

Dakarʒ · Jun 28, 2007, 11:47 AM

So cute.

RAILhead · Jun 28, 2007, 11:52 AM

Man, that stinks.

/Couldn't resist

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

So cute.

That's exactly what my daughter said.

"He's SOOOO CUTE daddy!"[/3yearoldexuberance]

Dakarʒ · Jun 28, 2007, 11:55 AM

I see what you're trying to do there.

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

I see what you're trying to do there.

Your the guy I can't get anything past.

PS: Use this image next time:

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by RAILhead

Man, that stinks.

/Couldn't resist

You have no idea. I am particularly sensitive to smells, and these guys are killing me with a scent-induced migraine.

Dakarʒ · Jun 28, 2007, 12:04 PM

I actually like the smell of skunks.

olePigeon · Jun 28, 2007, 12:08 PM

You could trap one of them, have it descented, and keep it as a pet. I hear they're kinda like a mix between a small dog and a ferret.

andi*pandi · Jun 28, 2007, 12:10 PM

very cute. glad you can't shoot them... did they smell before you hosed them out?

we have skunks around, never seen them, but sometimes in the evening you catch a whiff and know a neighborhood dog just got himself in trouble...

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

I actually like the smell of skunks.

I now hate you. Hate you more than I hate liver and onions. I bet you like that too eh? Freak!

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by andi*pandi

very cute. glad you can't shoot them... did they smell before you hosed them out?

we have skunks around, never seen them, but sometimes in the evening you catch a whiff and know a neighborhood dog just got himself in trouble...

I smelt them out. I was sniffing around the backyard looking for them and approached the burrow. I didn't know they were in the burrow until one poked his little head out. To say that I ran like a scared little boy wetting his pants, is putting it mildly. My last dog was sprayed once and I had migraines for weeks from the lingering smell.

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

You could trap one of them, have it descented, and keep it as a pet. I hear they're kinda like a mix between a small dog and a ferret.

No.

Unfortunately (fortunately in this case!) we aren't allowed to have any pets other than fish or dogs under 25 lbs.

So, no pet Pepe Le Pew.

Dakarʒ · Jun 28, 2007, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

I now hate you.

Took you long enough. I think you had enough valid reasoning long ago.

Originally Posted by Railroader

Hate you more than I hate liver and onions. I bet you like that too eh? Freak!

I certainly don't think I'd like [the skunk smell] right next to me or for prolonged periods, but when one wanders by during the summer its awesome.

And no, I could care less for liver and onions.

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

Took you long enough. I think you had enough valid reasoning long ago.

Awww... wanna make up and go out back and make out?

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

I certainly don't think I'd like [the skunk smell] right next to me or for prolonged periods, but when one wanders by during the summer its awesome.

Sick!

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

And no, I could care less for liver and onions.

Dakarʒ · Jun 28, 2007, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Awww... wanna make up and go out back and make out?

Jesus, woman, you on the rag? What a mood swing!

Originally Posted by Railroader

Uh, I don't so please enlighten me.

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

Jesus, woman, you on the rag? What a mood swing!

Ahem... pot, meet kettle.

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

Uh, I don't so please enlighten me.

ahem... "Could care less"...

Your smarter than that.

Dakarʒ · Jun 28, 2007, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

ahem... "Could care less"...

Your smarter than that.

Both variations are acceptable.

Doofy · Jun 28, 2007, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Anyone know a way to speed the process of them moving out?

Kick your cat off the bed and tell it to do some work for a change?

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

Both variations are acceptable.

Dude, get the sand out of your panties and lighten up! Why are you so serious today? I'm the one with the migraine.

Dakarʒ · Jun 28, 2007, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Anyone know a way to speed the process of them moving out?

Talk to them about your bank?

Now we're even.

Dakarʒ · Jun 28, 2007, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Dude, get the sand out of your panties and lighten up! Why are you so serious today? I'm the one with the migraine.

I've never been big on the grammar humor.

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Kick your cat off the bed and tell it to do some work for a change?

No cats allowed.

Besides, if I did have a cat and let it out and it got sprayed I would post the same thread but swap all instances of "skunk" with "stupid cat".

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Mrjinglesusa

And you're smarter than that.

Apparently your not.

Mrjinglesusa · Jun 28, 2007, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Ahem... pot, meet kettle.

ahem... "Could care less"...

Your smarter than that.

And you're smarter than that.

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

Talk to them about your bank?

Now we're even.

Touche'

Doofy · Jun 28, 2007, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

No cats allowed.

Besides, if I did have a cat and let it out and it got sprayed I would post the same thread but swap all instances of "skunk" with "stupid cat".

Wait.... ...I thought you had a kitty? What happened to kitty?

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Wait.... ...I thought you had a kitty? What happened to kitty?

We had two. "Steve (HUGE cat)" and "Allison (teeny tiny kitty)".

Steve had a horrible habit of waking me up when I was working 3rd shift. Bye Steve. Glad to see you go.

Allison's presence was required at my mom's house for her (mom's) well being. We'll miss you Allison. Allison was a good bat hunter.

I like dogs and cats equally. But skunks and skunk-scented cats are not welcomed here.

Peter · Jun 28, 2007, 12:47 PM

this thread brightened my day

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 03:56 PM

I took a quick tour of the property a few minutes ago. No sign of my little friends.

olePigeon · Jun 28, 2007, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

I took a quick tour of the property a few minutes ago. No sign of my little friends.

That's beause they're plotting. Ever read Animal Farm? Yeah... be on the lookout.

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

That's beause they're plotting. Ever read Animal Farm? Yeah... be on the lookout.

Your right!

I was doing some much needed weeding of the flower beds (or what was once flower beds) and they were tucked under some small bushes. No doubt plotting my demise. I am afeared!

Rumor · Jun 28, 2007, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

I actually like the smell of skunks.

Damn pot smoking hippie.

OldManMac · Jun 28, 2007, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Your right!

It's you're, as in you are. Your is a possessive, as in your yard has skunks, and if you want to get rid of the migraines, you're obligated to get rid of them.

Dakarʒ · Jun 28, 2007, 07:01 PM

GRAMMAR NAZI!!!111one

Railroader · Jun 28, 2007, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by OldManMac

It's you're, as in you are. Your is a possessive, as in your yard has skunks, and if you want to get rid of the migraines, you're obligated to get rid of them.

I don't know what your talking about. Your going to brake something in your brain if you worry to much about it.

All of my malapropisms are on porpoise.

Mastrap · Jun 28, 2007, 09:52 PM

Skunks are really quite harmless. We've got lots of urban skunks here in TO and I rarely ever hear any stories of people getting squirted. Inquisitive dogs maybe, but they tend to learn from that initial mistake

Poor little guys are probably terrified by you.

OldManMac · Jun 28, 2007, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

I don't know what your talking about. Your going to brake something in your brain if you worry to much about it.

All of my malapropisms are on porpoise.

You mean like you do here?

ahem... "Could care less"...

Your smarter than that.

I thought you were too.

amazing · Jun 28, 2007, 10:29 PM

There you go, the neighborhood has gone to the skunks...

Railroader · 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by OldManMac

You mean like you do here?

I thought you were too.

Nevermind. You wouldn't get it anyway.

Railroader · 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

Skunks are really quite harmless. We've got lots of urban skunks here in TO and I rarely ever hear any stories of people getting squirted. Inquisitive dogs maybe, but they tend to learn from that initial mistake

Poor little guys are probably terrified by you.

Unless they happen to carry rabies like they do around here. I have a lot of children to worry about who just might not know what a skunk looks like.

This is not an urban area.

They probably are terrified of me. Which is why they would spray. The scent gives me migraines. Ever had a migraine? If you have, then you'd understand why I try to avoid them.

OldManMac · Jun 29, 2007, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Nevermind. You wouldn't get it anyway.

U R rite; I are not as kool as U!

Railroader · Jun 29, 2007, 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by OldManMac

U R rite; I are not as kool as U!

Thanks for making my point.

Mastrap · Jun 29, 2007, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Unless they happen to carry rabies like they do around here. I have a lot of children to worry about who just might not know what a skunk looks like.

This is not an urban area.

You are far more likely to catch rabies from an unvaccinated dog than a skunk. Especially in a rural area, where the number of unvacinated dogs tends to be higher than in urban areas.

I am not trying to make light of your very legitimate concerns, this is just meant to provide some reassurance.

Railroader · Jun 29, 2007, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

You are far more likely to catch rabies from an unvaccinated dog than a skunk. Especially in a rural area, where the number of unvacinated dogs tends to be higher than in urban areas.

I am not trying to make light of your very legitimate concerns, this is just meant to provide some reassurance.

I am not worried about my self regarding rabies. I am more worried about rabies because there are a lot of kids here. some who have never seen a skunk and would not hesitate to approach one.

Myself, the scent is my what affects me.

UPDATE: This afternoon, two have left, I saw them waddling off into the woods, but two are still circling the house. I accidentally left the garage door open and had to motivate the two out with a hockey stick and an extreme sense of impending stink. Animal control should be here any minute. Finally.

Railroader · Jun 30, 2007, 03:44 PM

No skunks. Looks like they have all left since setting up traps.

Here's another photo I took one evening while they were out digging for grubs in the lawn: