It smells like I have a polecat living under the deck! Polecat for those of you what don't know hillbilly, is a skunk. Maybe even a small family of 'em. Best way to rid myself of my new odoriferous neighbors? Penny the JRT has had a close encounter of the smelly kind, and wants nothing further to do with 'em. Wasn't particularly fun for me either. The Missus, is rather adamant about the new neighbors being moved as well. Idea's, thoughts, anything..................anybody?
I live in the city so I can call Animal Control to come get problem critters. But I would think that a less lethal way to keep them out from under the deck would be to close off access with lattice work or chicken wire. A more permanent solution would be rat poison or buckshot.
The only thing I can think of is making it an unwelcome area by watering so it's always damp 0r if you know a bee keeper, maybe he would let you use his smoker and smoke them out. Once you get rid of them I'd definitely do as Toni suggested and make it where you won't have this problem again.
FBG, we've had polecats (aka skunks) under the steps from our patio. Water is the best way to get them to move. We ran a hose under the steps, let it run for a couple of hours at about half-pressure, and we saw Mr. or Mrs. leave. After we were sure there were no relatives lingering, we put hardware cloth over the entrance they were using.
