Every spring, I look fondly back on one of my favorite videos: a momma skunk and her kits surrounding a bicyclist on a path. The little creatures are adorable, a solid contrast to the stinky and troublesome creature I was raised to avoid at all costs.

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While I have no plans of befriending a skunk, I'm sure I will see, or rather smell, plenty of them in the coming months because skunk mating season is quickly approaching. Here's what to know.

Skunk Mating Season In Michigan

Nowadays, it's pretty common to play a little game called "Is that my neighbor or did someone's dog get sprayed by a skunk?" Considering skunk mating season is right around the corner, here's what to know:

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• Skunk mating season goes from early February to the end of March. Keep an eye out for these guys when you're on the road.
• Skunks typically have 4-8 kits at a time, so if you see one, there will likely be more nearby.
• If your dog is sprayed by a skunk, the belief that tomato juice is the best way to neutralize the smell is false. It just temporarily masks the smell. Instead, try this concoction as provided by All Species Kinship on Facebook:
  • Mix together 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap.

So, for the next month, if you smell a stink in the air, there's a solid chance it isn't that one neighbor this time.