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BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch
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Subject: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Clinton Hammond Date: 24 Oct 03 - 05:29 PM I suspect some frigg'n stink beast has it in it's stupid little head that it's gonna winter under my back porch... Short of napalming it, any suggestions how to get it out? Dead is o.k... alive, it'll just breed... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Willie-O Date: 24 Oct 03 - 05:37 PM look in the yellow pages under "e". \ best o' luck mate. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Clinton Hammond Date: 24 Oct 03 - 05:41 PM Ya... I'm on that... but I was hoping for some "home" suggestions from Catters while I chase pros... Maybe Like Fred Eaglesmith sings, "It's time to get a gun!" :-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Liz the Squeak Date: 24 Oct 03 - 05:58 PM I'd suggest very carefully and then board up the gaps it got in through.... But what the heck, I quite like skunks. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: katlaughing Date: 24 Oct 03 - 05:59 PM A trail of food to a Hav-A-Heart trap and a call to your local wildlife refuge or county agent. They help keep down other rodents, ya know...:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Greg F. Date: 24 Oct 03 - 06:10 PM Approach the problem per Kat & Liz, above, OR Just let it alone, avoid poking it in the eye with a sharp stick. It'll sleep most of the winter & leave in the spring. Folks think these guys are aggressive- not so. You've damn near got to step on'em to get them to spray you. I've live trapped & transferred a bunch of 'em with no problems. Now, if you've got dogs, its a different story. Dogs are too damn stupid to leave em' alone- even after they've got themselves sprayed. & hey, Kat- skunks ain't rodents, they're weasels! ;>) Best, Greg |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Jeri Date: 24 Oct 03 - 06:36 PM I seriously don't know. It wouldn't bother me except for me always wondering if I was going to startle it. I'd go with the Hav-a-Heart trap. I don't think spraying would be that much of a danger. As others have said, you really have to scare the hell out of them before they spray. Of course, if you catch it, you have to figure out how to move the bugger someplace else. Or you could block its entry route then just let it out of the trap. Try calling your local animal control folks. Skunks in America are one of the top rabies-carrying animals. Your skunk is probably a healthy Canadian skunk, but maybe the animal control people will be concerned enough to remove it. At the very least, they may have some better tips than I do. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: harpgirl Date: 24 Oct 03 - 06:54 PM I used to have a possum under my back deck. He moved on to better burrows and an armadillo moved in. It is quite disconcerting to hear the scrape, scrape of his hard shell on the brick outside my bedroom window at night! A skunk would be an improvement! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Bobert Date: 24 Oct 03 - 07:00 PM Don't trap it unless you've checked out yer local laws. Lots of states allow you to trap an animal but *not* release it! Sure, its just fine to take out yer danged 12 guage shotgun and blown the poor little thing up but now dopn't letn us catch you takin' it in the woods and releasing it. Nope, can't do it unless you are a certified "animal rehabilitator"... There are some products, most of which smell worser than poor Smelly, that you can spray u7nner yer porch but you may want to have Smelly back after usin' 'em... Now, here a fool proof plan... Go to yer local newspaper and look in ther "Giveawyas" section where folks give away dogs and cats... Find someone who is trying to give away a beagle and take the danged thing with the condition that you can return it if things don't work out. Now, let the beagle out and within a minute he will have found Smelly, got spayed by Smelly and chased Smelly way off into the woods. Then throw the beagle into a plastic bag with a couple air holes and take it back! Don't worry, beagles ain't killers, just chasers so no body gets hurt... Bobert p.s. If you do the beagle thing, don't do it to no nice people. When ya' call, if they sound nice, just try another the next one... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Ebbie Date: 24 Oct 03 - 07:10 PM Bobert, can we be assured that all skunks have medical degrees and experience? Besides, the beagle may not even be male, in which case the term is 'neutered'. :) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: JohnInKansas Date: 24 Oct 03 - 07:16 PM When I was stationed at Yuma, I noticed one night (while walking the cats) that there were quite a few skunks in the area. A few nights of watching confirmed that they were camped out under the parade stand (sort of like a large porch without the house). I confirmed 32 skunks living in that 20 x 16 foot "skunk house." They were undisturbed by the parade with about a dozen major "brass hats" and their wives scuffling around on the stand, and by the 15-gun salute fired off within 20 feet of the stand. I was likely the only one who knew they were there. The only real concern is that they do eat carrion, and are thus susceptible to rabies. For that reason only, in my present present area where rabies is a concern, I might consider getting rid of one. Of course, if one exhibited rabid symptoms, he'd be dead ASAP. John |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Don Firth Date: 24 Oct 03 - 07:23 PM Hmm. And I thought this was another political thread. . . . Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: JohnInKansas Date: 24 Oct 03 - 07:24 PM Well, fat fingers did it again. Previous post should have said: When I was stationed at Yuma, I noticed one night (while walking the cats) that there were quite a few skunks in the area. A few nights of watching confirmed that they were camped out under the parade stand (sort of like a large porch without the house). I confirmed 32 skunks living in that 20 x 16 foot "skunk house." They were undisturbed by the parade (with about a dozen major "brass hats" and their wives scuffling around on the stand, and by the 15-gun salute fired off within 20 feet of the stand. I was likely the only one who knew they were there. The only real concern is that they do eat carrion, and are thus susceptible to rabies. For that reason only, in my present present area where rabies is a concern, I might consider getting rid of one. Of course, if one exhibited rabid symptoms, he'd be dead ASAP. John |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Bobert Date: 24 Oct 03 - 07:30 PM Ahhhhh, it has been brought to my lexdexic attention by Ebbie that ya' don't take yer danged beagle to a skunk to have it spayed, however, should you just want a smelly dog to live with, the skunk will be more than happy to, ahhhhh, *spray* it fir ya... Geeeze.... Bobret, ahhhhh, 'er Bobert |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Sorcha Date: 24 Oct 03 - 07:31 PM Besides, if you release it nearyby, it will just come back. It likes your porch. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: kendall Date: 24 Oct 03 - 07:40 PM Moth balls |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Clinton Hammond Date: 24 Oct 03 - 07:45 PM Have-A-Heart? Feck that! I'm getting an exterminator to poision the hell outa this thing! Just gott akeep it from dying under the porch... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: katlaughing Date: 24 Oct 03 - 08:06 PM Well, I knew it was a long shot given your proclaimed proclivities!:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Bobert Date: 24 Oct 03 - 08:17 PM Don't do it, Clinton, don't do it. Skunks ain't bad folk. They'z really kind nice fellers. I had a friend once who had one fir a pet... Oh yeah, it had been un-smelled... Fir what yer gettin' ready to pay some guy to poison it and then have it probably die right unner where yer bedroom is, you could trap it, take it to a vet and have it de-smelled, bring it home and set up a litter box fir it in the corner... They'z really nice once ya' get to know 'em.... Don't kill poor ol' cute little Smelly! Don't do it... Please... Sniff... Ahhhh, no don't sniff... Bobert |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: GUEST,Clint Keller Date: 24 Oct 03 - 08:26 PM My mother has had the occasional skunk under the porch. She puts out cat food for them. clint |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Mark Clark Date: 24 Oct 03 - 08:30 PM It turns out if you do a Google search for “getting-rid-of-skunks” you'll come up with some useful ideas. And Bob Vila's discussion board has a thread that sounds like the voice of experience. I'd give that some serious consideration. A lot of good stories at Country Living, Country Skills. Some of the ideas might work. Lots of luck. - Mark |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 24 Oct 03 - 08:34 PM You got a gun, or a frend with a gun? if so, shoot it. can you eat them? make a pie! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 Oct 03 - 08:39 PM Moth balls are a biohazard all around, and best not used for anything, not even moths. We had a skunk living in the green electric company box in the utility easment in our back yard (it was where the electric service wiring originated for several houses in our part of the block). I called the power company and he got rid of it very easily. He sprayed the box with an industrial equivalent of WD-40, used a whole can. Said they'd figured out that skunks didn't like the smell of it and would go away and stay away. It worked. I'd board up the hole after you get your uninvited guest out of there. Rabies is a big problem in skunks in North America. In Texas they have resorted to studding chunks of meat with doses of rabies vaccine and throwing them out of airplanes for coyotes and skunks and other meat eaters, to try to keep the rabies down. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 Oct 03 - 08:44 PM A point of clarification--he sprayed the inside of the box, not outside or around it. Just inside. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Jeri Date: 24 Oct 03 - 08:53 PM As a former vet tech and public health weenie, it's not what an animal eats that passes rabies. It's what tries to eat the animal. Mothballs sound like a good idea. I tried them on the squirrel in my attic. They didn't bother the squirrel, but I'll bet he had fewer fleas than most of his pals. I don't know if predator piss works |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Ebbie Date: 24 Oct 03 - 08:53 PM You could all move to Alaska- no more problems. We have skunk cabbage but no skunks. Or snakes, for that matter. We do have porcupines - and bears, martens, wolverines, wolves... A porky or two makes its home under one of the hillside stairs near my house. (Sorry about the ribbing, Bobret.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Clinton Hammond Date: 24 Oct 03 - 09:16 PM "Don't do it, Clinton, don't do it." If you don't pay rent, or are uninveited, you don't get to live here with me... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Clinton Hammond Date: 24 Oct 03 - 09:17 PM Uninvited even... *fecking godamn No Edit Feature message Board* |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: harpgirl Date: 24 Oct 03 - 09:36 PM ...right, Kendall! They worked for me!!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: LadyJean Date: 24 Oct 03 - 10:02 PM There was an article in "Smithsonian Magazine" about skunks this summer, I'm betting you know someone with back issues. I'm sure your local Humane Society, if there is one, will remove your striped guest for you. When my sister's awsomely stupid rottweiller chased a skunk they bathed him in spaghetti sauce. Tomato juice is the more usual remedy for eau de skunk. My first kiss was facilitated by a skunk, so I'm partial to the little stinkers. But I wouldn't want one on my porch. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Bill D Date: 24 Oct 03 - 10:30 PM get a trap...tie LONG rope to trap...bait & trap skunk....drag trap as far as you care to...do whatever you feel appropriate when you get there. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Little Hawk Date: 25 Oct 03 - 12:11 AM Oddly enough, the skunk contacted me not a week ago with a similar request: namely, how does he get rid of Clinton Hammond? Well, we've been exchanging email on the matter for a bit now, but have yet to come up with a totally surefire way that doesn't have disturbing ramifications. Napalm would destroy the house, causing the skunk to have to move. Poison might work, if we could find the right bait... Guns are out. It's not legal to discharge a gun within city limits, not even for a skunk. Persuasion? Forget it! Clinton is impervious to reason or goodwill. Boarding up any apertures through which Clinton might intrude on the skunk's quarters is a step in the right direction, but then there are still the awful cooking smells and the loud, offensive music at unskunkly hours. The Hav-a-Heart trap is too gentle a device for dealing with Clinton, but bear traps are expensive, and they're also a bit obvious...probably wouldn't work. Mothballs in sufficient quantity might drive Clinton away, but would also render the property unlivable. (We're talking at least 5,000 pounds of mothballs here...) Predator piss is an interesting notion! We are presently in contact with a grizzly bear who says he is willing to pee all over Clinton if we pay his fare from Alberta to Ontario and back and throw in a couple of crates of frozen salmon. We'll be looking into this further and should have a solution by early November. Stay posted. - LH |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: LadyJean Date: 25 Oct 03 - 12:16 AM Skunks are related to badgers. I just thought people would like to know. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: NicoleC Date: 25 Oct 03 - 01:19 AM This is not a DUMB skunk. After all, he's found a nice protected and well-built spot for the winter where he's likely to catch a little radiant heat from the house. A dumb (or desperate) skunk would be trying to make himself a home in a stump somewhere. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: GUEST,Ely Date: 25 Oct 03 - 01:44 AM I know you can trap raccoons with plain old Wonder Bread but I don't know if it works on skunks. I personally don't like poisoning things (it makes me feel bad, and I once had a rat get even by dying inside the wall and smelling up my house for MONTHS) so I'd call the wildlife rehab people and ask for help. We got rid of the raccoons in the attic by waiting until we knew they were out and then boarding up all the openings we could find. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: HuwG Date: 25 Oct 03 - 04:03 AM Ebbie, re this post, LOL. My friend once took a job as Receptionist at a Veterinary Practice. She lasted less than a week; she was always helpless with laughter whenever anyone asked to have their cat "sprayed", "splayed" or even "spaded". As to what to do about Pepe le Pew, Jeri might be on the right track with his suggestion of exotic animal urine. On the Radio Programme, "Gardeners' Question Time" in the UK, someone plagued with cats in a vegetable patch was recommended to obtain some tiger poop from a local zoo or travelling circus. There is a potential drawback in that anything pungent and potent enough to force Pepe to decamp will probably send Clinton packing too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Liz the Squeak Date: 25 Oct 03 - 07:58 AM Think a bit - would you rather have a nice, quiet, hibernating animal under your porch, who isn't going to do anything but maybe snore gently and eat garbage, unless you are REALLY stupid and antagonise him, or would you rather have a nice, quiet, decomposing animal under your porch, stinking out the whole house for months on end without the benefit of spraying? I know what I'd prefer.... but I haven't got that sort of porch. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: gnu Date: 25 Oct 03 - 08:07 AM Get a piece of painted board about as wide as the opening and of length to suit. Caulk a large bead around the edge of the board. Place a slight amount of motor oil within the caulking and situate the board, firmly, where the skunk must walk on it. It won't return. The simplest ? Wait until dusk and then bait it out and board up the hole. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Mr Red Date: 25 Oct 03 - 08:14 AM Just a thought - but what stink do they hate most? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: gnu Date: 25 Oct 03 - 08:20 AM Oops ! I forgot the most important part. To prevent it from digging a new entrance, you have to "tell" it that you don't allow trespassers. If you are shy (yeah, right, Clinton shy !!!) you can piss in a container and spread it where you board up the hole. Of course, if it has as cantankerous an attitude as yours, the ensuing pissing contest may be worse than letting it stay. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: RichM Date: 25 Oct 03 - 11:38 AM Leave the skunk alone, it'll do the same for you.... I occasionally have a skunk that will live under the back porch for a while, sometimes even with a kit or two....but then again, if it freaks you out, by all means KILL KILL KILL.... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Clinton Hammond Date: 25 Oct 03 - 12:30 PM "Leave the skunk alone," I would if it didn't stink like hell.... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: GUEST,Sammy (the skunk) Date: 25 Oct 03 - 01:31 PM And I suppose you think that your detestable cooking odors are like the breath of Spring in my nostrils? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 25 Oct 03 - 01:49 PM I have friends who have a skunk that nests under their porch-deck every year (may be second or third generation by now). When the kits are able to move easily, they leave. As someone above said, their cats accept them. Never a defensive gas attack. To remove the odor from a dog, use a good liquid soap and water. The tomato juice fakelore just replaces the skunk perfume with rotten tomato odor. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Clinton Hammond Date: 25 Oct 03 - 01:55 PM Guest... Chew me.... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: EBarnacle1 Date: 25 Oct 03 - 02:13 PM Having spent many festivals with skunks in the near neighborhood, I say leave them alone and they will leave you along. If you would like a nice, graphic description of what happens when you disturb a perfectly peaceful skunk, even with "approved methods," read Farley Mowat's book, "The Dog who wouldn't be." |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Chip2447 Date: 25 Oct 03 - 02:22 PM Clinton, get a long forked stick, or a piece of barbed wire. Run that into the hole until you make contact with something warm a squishy, like a critter body. Now, start to twist the stick or barbed wire, twist him up in his own hide and drag him out, grab it by the tail, making quite sure that it CANNOT brace it's front feet on anything. Now that you have a handful of skunk the rest of its easy. PM me if you want to know how to make a scumbag stink bomb out of it.. Chip2447 |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: Gareth Date: 25 Oct 03 - 07:46 PM MMm ! Chip2447 - And if the skunk manages to get its front paws in the brace position ? - Do we have to disconect our MicroSoft "advanced olefactory reproduction" cards and "skunkware" ??? to log into a CH post ??? Gareth ***BG*** |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: GUEST,Sammy (the skunk) Date: 25 Oct 03 - 07:51 PM You're the one who ought to be labelled "GUEST", Clinton. My ancestors inhabited this spot long before you were an unholy gleam in your father's eye. You are a Johnny-come-lately. Your nefarious plans to evict me and end my life will come to naught. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Getting a skunk out from under the porch From: GUEST,Lyle Date: 25 Oct 03 - 09:46 PM Been there done that. Moth balls won't work unless the temp under the porch is VERY high, and even then it seldom works, so forget that idea. Here is what worked for me. Seal around the porch excepr for one (and only one) outlet big enough for the skunk to use as an exit. That doesn't have to be very big. Take a tank vacuum - a shop vac works best - and put the hose on so that it blows outward. Stick the hose through the seal in a spot as far from the opening you left as possible. Heat a gallon or two (how much depends on the space under the porch) of ammonia. It doesn't have to be hot, but if vaporizes better if it is. I heated mine on an outdoor gas grill. Pour the heated ammonia in the vacuum, turn it on and get the hell outa there! If possible, watch from inside to see when it runs out the opening. Lyle |
