Skunk Concerns/Process

The Town of Edson has received a number of skunk related calls over the past week.  Please note that skunks are outside of the purview of local bylaw/animal control officers. Town crews will remove dead animals from Edson roadways (Alberta Transportation for the highways), but for live animals you’re encouraged to contact a pest control company for trapping/removal.

Skunks are no cause for alarm and play an important role in the eco-system. In the fall, skunks are busy eating and building up fat reserves for winter dormancy. They eat a lot of grubs and other harmful insects, fallen fruit, and garbage. Aside from the smell if agitated, skunks are a relatively harmless. That being said, they can be a nuisance, especially for dog owners.

Here are some tips to help prevent skunks from moving into your property

• Keep pet food or water inside overnight.
• Keep garbage/organics bins tightly closed.
• Clean and tidy yards.
• Remove items such as trash, loose lumber piles, and old vehicles where skunks could use for shelter.
• Fully seal off all openings around and under buildings and mobile homes.
• Use chicken wire around the bottom of decks or on the ground to prevent burrowing.
• Bright lights or mothballs may cause a skunk to leave from under steps or a building.

Alberta Environment and Parks has some great information on skunks

http://aep.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/human-wildlife-conflict/skunks.aspx

More info

https://pestcontrolcanada.com/wildlife-control/skunks/