[Dewey-Darrow] (fwd) City of Evanston Press Release, re: skunks

[Bearhair]

FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE                                                                             

September 16, 2009

Contact: Eric Palmer

847/448-8085

fall means increased skunk activity

Some Tips to Keep Skunks off Your Property

 EVANSTON, IL - Recently various areas throughout the city have been
experiencing an increased frequency of issues involving skunks. It is common
to see increased skunk activity during this time of year as these animals try
to gain the extra weight they will need to survive the winter.

Most of the time Evanston residents and wildlife are able to cohabitate very
nicely together. However sometimes wildlife can become a cause of concern for
residents. The Evanston Police Department’s Animal Control Bureau along with
the Department of Health and Human Services would like to remind residents of
some of the basic things they can do to mitigate a current problem or future
problem with a skunk on the
ir property.

Skunks will burrow under sheds, homes, businesses, porches, decks,
crawlspaces and woodpiles to create a home. They will enter foundation
openings to get to these spots or create a skunk holes themselves. They have
large feet with well-developed claws which makes them very good diggers. In
urban areas, skunks can also be found in industrial parks, railroad tracks,
high tension power line tracts or park areas with large open areas. 

One way in which skunks can be abated from your property is by
exclusion. Exclusion in this case is the elimination of all possible sites of
habituation where they might make their dens. Remove the den sites under and
around structures such as garages and homes. Seal all possible entrances
along the foundation, but leave the main burrow entrance open. Sprinkle a
thin layer of flour two feet in circumference on the ground in front of the
opening. After dark, examine the flour for tracks that indicate the skunk has
left to feed. If tracks are not present, reexamine in about an hour. After
the den is empty, cover the remaining entrance immediately. Cover all
openings with wire mesh, sheet metal or concrete. Bury fencing 1- 1/2 to two
feet in areas where skunks could gain access by digging. Reopen one of the
entrances the next day for one hour after dark to allow any remaining skunks
to exit before permanently sealing the entrance particularly in the months of
May and June when baby
skunks may still be in the den.

Additionally, make sure to always keep outside garbage cans tightly sealed
and do not leave pet food outdoors as it can be a food source for skunks thus
avoiding the temptation for skunks to frequent or to inhabit a particular
area.

The Evanston Police Department monitors complaints regarding wildlife. If a
particular neighborhood experiences an inordinate amount of calls, the Animal
Control Bureau staff shares this information with the Health and Human
Services Department and other appropriate city staff. Identified areas can
then be canvassed with informational flyers sharing tips about how to control
a wildlife problem. Animal Control staff can also focus their efforts in the
area.

Another possible solution would be to contact the Animal Control Bureau for
other methods to safely remove wildlife from residential or business
properties. For further information, contact Animal Control at
847/866-5080.  

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