Skunks
Mephitis mephitis
Skunks are common around Alberta homes and often den under decks, sheds, porches, and concrete slabs. Most problems are odor events, repeated denning, or lawn digging. Long-term resolution usually requires exclusion and habitat control—not chasing the animal around the yard.
What they look like
- Medium-sized black mammal with a white stripe pattern.
- Slow-moving, ground-based, often seen at dusk or night.
- Not aggressive by default—spraying usually happens when they feel cornered.
Denning behavior
- Prefer sheltered cavities under decks, sheds, porches, and concrete slabs.
- Dens may be reused year-to-year if access stays open.
- Spring and early summer are common denning periods (including young).
- They may shift between multiple den sites in a neighborhood.
If you suspect a den with young, timing matters—exclusion should avoid trapping animals inside.
Signs that matter
- Distinct musky odor events near decks, sheds, or foundations.
- Fresh digging at a single opening under a structure (den entrance).
- A worn path along fences or edges (regular travel routes).
- Lawn damage: many small cone-shaped holes from grub foraging.
- Soil disturbance near the same sheltered void over multiple nights.
Why skunks stick around
- Easy shelter under structures with open ground clearance.
- Food: grubs/insects in lawns, garbage access, pet food outdoors.
- Dense cover: shrubs, wood piles, cluttered yards, and quiet corners.
- If entry stays open, new skunks can replace removed ones.
Common signs homeowners notice
- Strong odor in the yard or near the house (especially at night).
- Digging under a deck, shed, or porch edge.
- New lawn holes appearing overnight.
- Pets reacting strongly near one area of the yard.
Common misidentifications in Alberta
Gophers create fan-shaped soil mounds and live underground. Skunks create many small foraging holes and may den under structures rather than making surface mounds.
Squirrels are typically an attic/roofline issue with daytime noise. Skunks are ground-level and more associated with digging and sheltered voids under decks and sheds.
What effective control looks like (high level)
- Confirm: identify the den site(s), travel routes, and timing (especially if young may be present).
- Control: remove attractants (garbage, pet food) and reduce shelter conditions.
- Exclusion: install barrier/exclusion at the structure interface once it’s safe to do so.
- Repair: close gaps and harden vulnerable deck/shed perimeters to prevent re-entry.
- Verify: confirm no return activity before final close-out.
The stable fix is exclusion. Simply “scaring them off” usually creates a repeat problem.