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.