Can you stop coyotes from coming into your yard? Yes, you can take steps to stop coyotes from entering your yard. This involves making your yard less attractive to them and using methods to deter their presence. This comprehensive guide will walk you through effective strategies to keep coyotes out of your personal space.
Coyotes are intelligent and adaptable animals, often drawn to suburban and even urban environments by readily available food sources and shelter. Their presence in residential areas can be a concern for pet owners, those with small children, and anyone seeking a sense of security in their own backyard. Fortunately, by employing a combination of preventative measures and active deterrents, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of encountering these canids.
This guide will delve into various aspects of humane coyote control, from understanding coyote behavior to implementing practical solutions. We’ll explore a range of coyote deterrents, discuss the importance of coyote proofing your property, and offer advice on how to repel coyotes effectively.
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Making Your Yard Uninviting to Coyotes
The first step in keeping coyotes out is to eliminate what attracts them in the first place. Coyotes are opportunistic feeders, and a readily available food supply is their primary draw.
Eliminating Food Sources
- Secure Your Trash: This is perhaps the most crucial step. Use heavy-duty trash cans with tight-fitting lids. If possible, store trash cans in a secure garage or shed until trash pickup day. Never leave trash bags outside where they can be easily ripped open.
- Feed Pets Indoors: Do not leave pet food or water bowls outside, especially overnight. Even small amounts of kibble can attract coyotes. If you feed your pets outdoors, do so for a limited time and then bring any leftovers inside.
- Protect Your Compost: If you have a compost bin, ensure it is fully enclosed and inaccessible to coyotes. Avoid composting meat scraps, bones, or dairy products, as these are particularly attractive.
- Clean Up Fallen Fruit: Ripe or fallen fruit from trees can be a food source for coyotes. Regularly clean up any fruit that has dropped.
- Bird Feeder Management: While bird feeders are enjoyed by many, they can also attract rodents, which in turn attract coyotes. Clean up spilled seed regularly, and consider bringing feeders in at night.
Removing Shelter and Denning Opportunities
Coyotes seek safe places to rest and raise their young. Making your yard less hospitable as a den site is essential.
- Clear Brush and Debris: Dense brush, overgrown vegetation, and piles of debris provide excellent cover for coyotes. Keep your yard tidy and remove any areas that could serve as a hiding spot or den.
- Seal Off Underneath Structures: Coyotes may den under decks, sheds, or porches. Seal off any openings to these areas with sturdy wire mesh or hardware cloth to prevent them from entering and establishing a den.
- Maintain Fences: Broken or low fences can provide easy access for coyotes. Ensure your fences are in good repair and tall enough to be a deterrent.
Effective Coyote Deterrents and Repellents
Beyond making your yard less attractive, you can actively deter coyotes from entering. These methods aim to make your property unpleasant or startling for them.
Visual and Auditory Deterrents
- Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These devices release a burst of water when they detect movement. The sudden spray can startle coyotes and make them associate your yard with an unpleasant experience.
- Motion-Activated Lights: Bright, flashing lights can disorient and scare away coyotes. Consider strategically placing these lights around your property, especially near entry points.
- Ultrasonic Devices: These devices emit high-frequency sounds that are inaudible to humans but can be irritating to animals like coyotes. The effectiveness of these devices can vary, and some animals may become accustomed to them over time.
- Radio or Music: Leaving a radio on in a barn or shed can create the impression of human activity, which may discourage coyotes.
Physical Barriers: Coyote Fencing and Proofing
One of the most effective long-term solutions is to physically prevent coyotes from entering your yard. This is where coyote proofing and specialized coyote fencing come into play.
Coyote Fencing
When considering a fence, it’s not just about height; it’s also about how it’s installed.
- Height: A minimum height of 6 feet is recommended for fences, but 8 feet is even better, especially if you have larger pets or live in an area with a high coyote population.
- Material: Sturdy materials like chain-link, wood, or vinyl are suitable. The key is that the fence should be strong enough to withstand pressure.
- Digging Prevention: Coyotes are adept diggers. To prevent them from burrowing underneath, the fence should be buried at least 12 inches into the ground or have an L-shaped footer that extends outward underground. This footer prevents them from digging under the fence.
- Angled Top: An outward-facing angle at the top of the fence can make it harder for coyotes to climb over.
- No Gaps: Ensure there are no gaps or holes in the fence that a coyote could squeeze through. Regularly inspect your fence for any damage.
Coyote Proofing Other Structures
- Gates: Gates should be at least as tall and as well-constructed as the fence itself. Ensure they close securely and have no gaps at the bottom.
- Window Wells: Cover window wells with sturdy covers to prevent coyotes from using them for shelter or entry.
Natural Coyote Deterrents
While not as potent as physical barriers or some mechanical deterrents, certain natural methods can contribute to repelling coyotes.
- Predator Urine: The scent of a natural predator, such as a wolf or coyote, can act as a deterrent. Products containing wolf urine or coyote urine can be purchased and applied around the perimeter of your yard. Reapplication is necessary after rain.
- Strong Scents: Some strong scents are believed to repel coyotes, although their effectiveness is often anecdotal. These can include ammonia-soaked rags or cayenne pepper sprinkled around the yard. Use caution with pepper, as it can be irritating to pets and humans.
Active Hazing: Directly Discouraging Coyotes
Coyote hazing is a process of making coyotes feel uncomfortable and unwelcome in your presence. This is a crucial part of humane coyote control, teaching them that your yard is not a safe place to linger.
What is Coyote Hazing?
Hazing involves making sudden, startling noises or movements to scare a coyote away. The goal is to make them uncomfortable without causing them harm.
- Make Noise: Yell, clap your hands, bang pots and pans, or use an air horn when you see a coyote.
- Wave Your Arms: Make yourself appear larger by waving your arms or holding them up high.
- Throw Objects: Throw small objects like tennis balls, pebbles, or a small beanbag towards the coyote. Aim to land them near the animal, not directly at it, to startle it.
- Water Hoses: A blast from a hose can be an effective deterrent.
- Consistency is Key: It’s important to be consistent. If you see a coyote in your yard, don’t ignore it. Engage in hazing immediately.
When to Use Hazing
- When you see a coyote: This is the primary time to employ hazing techniques.
- After dark: Coyotes are often more active at night, so be vigilant.
- When coyotes are in unusual proximity: If a coyote seems unafraid of humans and is lingering too close, hazing is appropriate.
What NOT to Do When Hazing
- Never approach a coyote: Maintain a safe distance.
- Do not corner a coyote: Always give them an escape route.
- Never feed coyotes: This is crucial for their well-being and your safety.
- Do not chase a coyote: Let them retreat on their own.
Managing Pet Safety and Coyote Encounters
The presence of coyotes can be a particular concern for pet owners. Taking precautions to protect your pets is essential.
Protecting Domestic Animals
- Supervise Pets Outdoors: Never leave pets unattended outdoors, especially at dawn, dusk, or night. Keep them on a leash when walking them.
- Bring Small Pets Indoors: Small dogs, cats, and other small animals are particularly vulnerable to predation. It is best to keep them inside, especially during peak coyote activity hours.
- Secure Outdoor Enclosures: If you have outdoor kennels or runs for your pets, ensure they are sturdy, tall, and buried into the ground to prevent digging. A secure overhead cover is also recommended.
- Keep an Eye on Your Cat: Even larger cats can be targets for coyotes.
What to Do During a Coyote Encounter
If you see a coyote in your yard, and it is not immediately deterred by your presence:
- Stay Calm: Do not panic.
- Gather Your Pets: Bring them indoors immediately.
- Haze the Coyote: Use the hazing techniques described above.
Coyote Removal: When to Seek Professional Help
While many of these methods focus on prevention and deterrence, there are situations where professional assistance might be necessary.
When to Consider Coyote Removal
- Aggressive Behavior: If a coyote exhibits aggressive behavior towards humans or pets, or if it appears sick or injured, contact local animal control or wildlife services immediately.
- Persistent Presence: If you have tried multiple deterrents and proofing methods and coyotes continue to frequent your yard, professional advice may be beneficial.
- Denning on Property: If you discover a coyote den on your property, it is best to contact wildlife professionals. They can advise on the best course of action, which may include relocation.
Who to Contact for Coyote Removal
- Local Animal Control: Your local animal control agency is often the first point of contact for wildlife issues.
- State Wildlife Agencies: State wildlife departments have experts who can offer guidance and assistance with wildlife management.
- Professional Wildlife Removal Services: There are private companies that specialize in humane wildlife removal. Ensure they use ethical and effective methods.
Long-Term Coyote Management Strategies
Successful coyote management is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and adaptation.
Community Effort
- Educate Your Neighbors: Share information about responsible waste management and pet safety with your neighbors. A coordinated community effort is more effective.
- Report Sightings: Report coyote sightings, especially those involving unusual behavior, to your local wildlife authorities. This helps them track coyote populations and identify potential problem areas.
Adapting Your Approach
- Observe Coyote Behavior: Pay attention to when coyotes are most active in your area and adjust your preventative measures accordingly.
- Regularly Inspect Your Property: Keep your fencing in good repair, check for new openings, and ensure trash cans remain secure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coyotes
Here are answers to some common questions about keeping coyotes out of your yard.
Q1: Can coyotes jump over fences?
Yes, coyotes are excellent jumpers and can often clear fences that are 6 feet tall. This is why a fence needs to be either higher, have an angled top, or have additional measures like buried wire to prevent them from digging under.
Q2: Will planting certain plants repel coyotes?
While there are anecdotal claims about certain plants repelling coyotes, there is no scientific evidence to support this. Natural deterrents like predator urine are more reliable.
Q3: Is it legal to trap or harm coyotes on my property?
Laws regarding trapping and harming wildlife vary by location. It is crucial to check your local and state regulations before considering any trapping or removal methods. Many areas have strict rules about wildlife management.
Q4: How do I know if there’s a coyote den in my yard?
Coyote dens are typically holes dug into the ground, often on slopes, under bushes, or beneath structures. You might notice increased coyote activity in a specific area, or you may find discarded prey remains. If you suspect a den, avoid the area and contact a wildlife professional.
Q5: What should I do if my pet is attacked by a coyote?
If your pet is attacked, immediately seek veterinary care. If you can safely do so, try to haze the coyote away from your pet. Report the incident to your local animal control and take steps to prevent future encounters.
Q6: Are coyotes dangerous to humans?
While coyotes generally avoid humans, they can become dangerous if they lose their natural fear of people, often due to being fed or becoming accustomed to human presence. Such coyotes can be more prone to aggressive behavior. The best way to ensure safety is to prevent them from becoming habituated to your property and to practice safe hazing techniques if you encounter one.
By implementing these strategies, you can create a less inviting environment for coyotes and effectively keep them out of your yard, ensuring peace of mind and the safety of your family and pets. Remember that consistent effort and a multi-faceted approach are key to successful coyote deterrence.