Coexisting with Coyotes

Keeping Coyotes at a Distance
Coyotes are drawn to urban and suburban neighborhoods for two reasons: human encroachment into native habitat and the availability of food. Take the following steps to prevent coyotes from being attracted to your home:

• Secure garbage cans by fastening lids with rope or bungee cords.
• Dispose of especially attractive food wastes such as meat, cheese and eggs by adding a small amount of ammonia to the bag.
• When composting, use enclosed bins rather than exposed piles. Avoid adding dog or cat waste, meat, milk or eggs to compost.
• If you have fruit trees, pick the ripe fruit and keep fallen fruit off the ground.
• Motion sensing lights or sprinklers may deter coyotes from your yard.
• Clear away bushes and weeds near your home. Dense vegetation provides attractive habitat for animals that coyotes prey upon.

Keeping Companion Animals Safe
Cats and small dogs may be seen as prey to the coyote, while larger dogs could be injured in a confrontation. To avoid these situations, consider the following:

• Fence your yard. The fence must be at least six feet tall with the bottom extending at least six inches below the ground. Fences can be made more effective by outwardly flaring the top of the fence.
• Keep companion animals in at night because coyotes are primarily nocturnal.
• Keep cats indoors where they are also safe from cars, other animals and from getting lost.
• Don’t leave pet food outside.
• Spay or neuter your dogs. Coyotes are attracted to and can mate with unsterilized domestic dogs.

Coyote Encounters
Coyotes are usually wary of humans and will avoid people whenever possible. Aggressive behavior toward people is not normal and is most often a result of habituation due to feeding by humans. If you encounter a coyote, remember the following:

• Never feed or attempt to “tame” a coyote.
• Avoid direct eye contact.
• Do not turn your back or run.
• Attempt to leave the area calmly.
• If followed, make loud noises and make yourself look big. If this fails, throw rocks or sticks in the direction of the coyote, being careful not to hit the coyote.

Coyotes are versatile, intelligent and able to adapt to most habitats. Ironically, the qualities that have enabled the coyote to survive have now made them one of the most persecuted animals in the United States. However, the coyote’s bad rap is not deserved. They actually play an important role in the ecosystem and do not pose a serious risk to humans.