Keeping Coyotes at a Distance

Coyotes are  drawn to neighborhoods for two primary reasons: human encroachment into  coyote habitat and the availability of food, water and shelter. The  following steps and habits will help prevent coyotes away from your  home:

  • Tightly secure garbage can lids. Store trash bins inside sheds or garages.
  • Put trash out the morning of pickup, not the night before.
  • When composting, use well-secured bins. Don’t add dog or cat waste, meat, dairy or eggs.
  • Never leave or store pet food outside.
  • Keep outdoor grills clean.
  • Pick ripe fruit off trees and keep fruit off the ground.
  • Don’t let your bird feeders overflow.
  • Fence vegetable gardens or use a green house.
  • Eliminate artificial water sources and fish ponds.
  • Install motion-activated outdoor lighting and sprinkler systems.
  • Fence your property or yard in a fashion that keeps the coyote out.
  • Clear bushes and dense weeds where small mammals and rodents may hide, as the coyotes prey on these animals.
  • Close off crawl spaces under porches, decks and sheds.