Weyburn's pest control officer, John Sidloski, is asking for residents' cooperation in helping to keep the city free of skunks this year, after a bad year in 2007 when 26 skunks were trapped and removed from city limits.

In addition to skunks spraying a foul smell at their enemies, skunks are a problem in the city because they carry rabies, have a tame disposition, have little or no fear of domestic animals and don't hesitate to enter our private buildings. They will also tangle with household pets and bite farm livestock when rabid, said Sidloski.

Skunks that enter the city will stay only if they find shelter or food. Every utility shed or patio deck with space under it is a potential skunk harbour. Sidloski said property owners must keep in mind that every building with less than 10 inches of see-through space will attract small rodents and the much larger skunks, creating double problems.

In addition, at this time of year, heavily pregnant female skunks that wander into the city will find such shelters to give birth to a litter with as many as six baby skunks. "In such urgency, any cover for her is better than none," said Sidloski.

Other attractions for a skunk include "the presence of household garbage, pet food exposed outdoors and unsecured garbage cans, the smell of which will entice skunks to forage in residential areas", said Sidloski.

"If the skunks don't find shelter, food and water in the city, they will seek their natural habitat away from residential areas. Skunks are beneficial to open farm lands and vacant farms," he added.

Sidloski noted one unusual factor he's seen with skunks locally is he found female skunks heavily pregnant in late October, the first time he has ever encountered this.

He advised that all pets need to be vaccinated for rabies in case they contact a skunk.

For the most part, the city of Weyburn is clean, organized and well-managed, and the cooperation in reporting pests is excellent, said Sidloski.