Nothing launches a homeowner into action like a skunk taking up residence under one’s porch. A few days ago Dawn was enjoying some early morning solitude on our deck when this friend ambled by, gave her a look, and proceeded to walk under our deck right below her. Dawn can move quickly when motivated.

Thus started the action. We live in town, no firearms allowed, which is ok, because who wants a dead skunk under their deck anyway? After some research on the world wide web, I started an assault of lights (which skunks hate), mothballs, ammonia and critter ridder. Skunks are apparently highly sensitive to smell. What irony.

That seems to have done the trick. We are several days skunk-free so far, although the smell of mothballs occasionally wafts through the window. One of my neighbors likely has a new boarder, but all’s fair in love, war, and suburban skunk hunting.