Skunks
Quick Key Points
- Skunks are important for keeping insect and rodent populations under control.
- They do not hibernate in winter but will den with other skunks to keep warm and become inactive in the coldest months.
- To keep skunks from denning in your yard, remove all sources of food and shelter.
What Are Skunks?
Skunks are found throughout the city and are important for keeping insect and rodent populations under control. They do not hibernate in winter but will den with other skunks to keep warm and become inactive in the coldest months.
Skunks and You
To keep skunks from denning in your yard, remove all sources of food and shelter by:
- Clearing brush piles, stacked lumber or debris piles from your property.
- Closing spaces beneath sheds, decks, porches and front steps. Ensure there are no skunks in these spaces before doing this.
- Storing garbage, compost and recycling in lidded containers.
- Feeding pets indoors and storing pet food inside.
If a skunk gets trapped in your window well, place a wide plank into the window well and allow the skunk time and space to climb out.
Wild About Wildlife Information Session
Presenter and animal control specialist, Bill Abercrombie, shares tips to manage wildlife on private property and best practices for reducing human-wildlife conflict. Fish and Wildlife was also online to answer questions about provincial involvement with wildlife.
The following topics were discussed:
- Pest species (raccoons, squirrels, skunks, porcupines and rodents)
- Ungulates (moose and deer)
- Foxesand badgers
Watch the video below!
For more details on skunk behaviour and prevention tips for your property, visit Alberta Environment and ParksRelated Pages
Last edited: November 21, 2025