KNOWLEDGE IS POWER; FACTS ABOUT COYOTES

  • Coyotes are native to North America and play an important role in keeping the ecosystem healthy and diverse by keeping pesky animals such as, skunks, rats, mice, opossums, squirrels, and raccoons in check!
  • Coyotes are naturally skittish and afraid of people. Coyotes are nocturnal in urban settings to avoid people but diurnal (active at dawn and dusk) in the wild
  • Coyotes family consists of a breeding pair and 3-4 other related individuals
  • Coyotes family howl to communicate with one another and to defend their territory against other coyote families and 2-3 can sound like 20 because of the variety of sounds they make
  • Coyote is a member of the canine dog family and although it resembles a wolf they are completely different species
  • Lifespan is 10 to 14 years and 63 day gestation the same as a dog and although very rare they can interbreed
  • Coyote breeding season April through August and they will be more protective of their pups.
  • Coyotes are omnivores and they live off their natural prey smaller mammals like rabbits, squirrels etc as well as insects, fruits, human garbage, birds
  • Coyotes prefer to eat its natural diet of rodents and fruit but if your pet is roaming outside it is now part of the ecosystem and perceived as prey and they will snatch it up if the opportunity presents itself as an easy one.
  • Coyote management is largely about people management and by taking some precautions the two species can live together peacefully

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PETS FROM COYOTES

  • Do not feed wildlife because one of the biggest reasons coyotes are infiltrating neighborhoods is the attraction of people food so do not intentionally or unintentionally feed animals and remove attractants around the exterior of your house including compost, dirty grills and birdseed, fallen fruit which can also attract rodents which will attract coyotes and secure garbage cans.
  • Never leave your pet unattended
  • Take your dog out on a dog leash that is 6 foot not a retractable leash
  • Avoid walking your dog during twilight hours because coyotes are more active at night
  • Carry a headlamp or flashlight if you walk at night
  • Don’t feed your pet outside but if you have to pick up food afterwards

MAKE YOUR YARD SAFE

  • Make your yard less attractive habitat by keeping trees and shrubbery trimmed so there are less places for coyotes to hide
  • Instill coyote proof fences which are at least 8 feet high and or have a roller at the top so they cannot get traction and extend 6 inches underground or fitted with a mesh apron so that can’t dig under
  • Use motion triggered deterrents like light or sprinkler system.
  • Predator Pee wolf urine around the perimeter of your yard as a deterrent ( I WILL BRING A BOTTLE OF PREDATOR PEE URINE)
  • Solar predator control lights (I HAVE SOLAR PREDATOR CONTROL LIGHTS TO BRING)

DETERING URBAN COYOTES

  • Coyote deterring gadget protecting vests and collars made of Kevlar and spikes. (I BOUGHT A COYOTE VEST WITH SPIKES)
  • Large dogs can be seen as a threat to a coyote especially if you are near their den with pups
  • Coyote sighting in your yard you should haze them by yelling, clapping your hands loudly, make loud noises and wave your hands to scare them
  • Do not run away if you have your dog with you but stand tall and have an aggressive stance and pick your pet up if possible. Maintain eye contact with it and back up until you and your pet are a safe distance away
  • If your dog or cat gets bit by a coyote take it to the vet right away for wound cleaning, antibiotics and rabies booster if needed