Are you living in coyote territory and worried about the safety of your pets, family, and property? Coyotes have become increasingly prevalent in urban areas over the past decade, leading to increased safety risks for both people and their animals.
While taking preventative measures like keeping a pet on a leash or avoiding nighttime walks can help reduce your risk of encountering wild coyotes, the best protection is to make sure that your yard is free from attractants that could bring these apex predators into your space. Keep reading to learn more about how to coyote proof your yard.
Living in a suburban or rural area can sometimes bring some unwelcome visitors—namely, coyotes. While these animals are largely harmless and typically shy away from people, they can be dangerous if habituated to humans due to proximity and the availability of food.
However, understanding how to protect your yard from becoming an attractive habitat for coyotes can help keep both you and them safe by discouraging any potential activity where you reside.
Why Do You Need to Coyote Proof Your Yard?
There are many reasons why you may want to coyote-proof your yard. Such as:
1. To Prevent Property Damage
One of the biggest reasons for coyote-proofing your yard is to prevent property damage. Coyotes are known to dig up gardens, chew through plastic garbage cans and otherwise interfere with landscaping in search of food or shelter.
2. To Protect Pets
Coyotes can also prey on small pets if given the opportunity. Although they are more likely to take advantage of an opportunity than actively hunt, it’s important to make sure your yard is not a safe haven for coyotes. So if you have small animals, like cats or rabbits, in your home you should definitely coyote-proof your yard.
3. To Protect Yourself and Your Family
Although coyotes mostly just ignore humans, they can become aggressive if they feel threatened. To protect yourself and your family from any potential danger it is important to coyote-proof your yard.
10 Ways About How to Coyote Proof Your Yard
1. Install a Fence With Small Holes
One of the primary and most important ways to coyote-proof your yard is to install a fence with small holes that prevent the animals from entering your space. The fence should be at least 6 feet tall and have mesh wire or slats that are no bigger than 2 inches wide.
2. Eliminate Sources of Food
Another way you can coyote-proof your yard is to eliminate any potential sources of food. This includes making sure pet food, bird seed and other animal-related materials are kept in secure containers or indoors so that coyotes can’t access them.
3. Make Sure Trash Is Properly Secured
Coyotes are also attracted to open trash cans, so it’s important to make sure all outdoor trash cans are properly secured so that the animals can’t get in. If you can’t keep the cans indoors, make sure they are tightly closed and secured with a lid or bungee cords.
4. Remove Standing Water
To discourage coyotes from entering your yard, you should also remove any standing water that may be present. Coyotes need a source of clean drinking water and will often come to yards where there is standing water or ponds.
5. Eliminate Overgrown Vegetation
When coyotes are looking for places to hide, they often rely on long grasses and other overgrown vegetation for cover. To make your yard less attractive to the animals, you should trim back taller grasses and shrubs so that there is no place for them to hide.
6. Install Motion-Activated Lights
Motion-activated lights can also be helpful in keeping coyotes away from your yard because they will startle the animals and make them think twice about entering your space. Also, it will make it harder for them to hide in the shadows.
7. Install Loud Noises
Coyotes are naturally afraid of loud noises, so you can also install a motion-activated speaker system around your yard that emits sounds when the animals approach. This will help scare them away and keep them from coming back.
8. Plant Coyote Repellent Plants
There are certain plants that can be used to repel coyotes from your yard. These include lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus, which have all been proven to deter the animals. Planting these in strategic locations around your yard can help keep them away.
9. Keep Pets Indoors
Coyotes prey on small animals like cats and dogs, so it’s important to keep your pets indoors when you’re not at home. This will not only help protect them from the coyotes but also keep them safe in general.
10. Call Your Local Animal Control Center
If all else fails, you should call your local animal control center and ask for help. They can provide advice on the best ways to coyote-proof your yard and may even be able to come out and set traps in order to catch any coyotes that may have taken up residence in your area.
Following these tips will help you keep the coyotes away from your yard and make it a safe place for your family and your pets. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Precautions Can I Take to Coyote-proof My Yard?
The best way to coyote-proof your yard is by taking steps to make it as unappealing to them as possible. Start by eliminating potential food sources, such as pet food left outside, bird feeders, and fallen fruit from trees. Next, ensure that all trash cans are tightly sealed and stored in a secure area.
Finally, use fencing that is at least 6 feet tall with an additional foot buried underground to keep coyotes out of your yard. If the fence has gaps, be sure to fill them up with chicken wire or other materials. Additionally, you can install motion-activated lights or sprinkler systems as an extra deterrent to coyotes.
Can I Repellent or Poison Coyotes?
No, you should never attempt to repellent or poison coyotes as this can be incredibly dangerous and can result in unintended consequences. Additionally, repellents are often ineffective at deterring coyotes and will only temporarily mask the problem without actually solving it. Be careful and always call your local animal control center for assistance if necessary.
Do Coyotes Carry Diseases?
Yes, coyotes can carry diseases such as rabies and distemper, which can be dangerous to humans and pets alike. If you come into contact with a coyote, always practice good hygiene and wash your hands thoroughly. Additionally, never attempt to handle or touch a coyote and always keep your pets safely away from them.
What Should I Do if I See a Coyote in My Yard?
If you see a coyote in your yard, remain calm and do not panic. Your first course of action should be to make loud noises or throw objects at the animal to scare it away. You can also use noisemakers such as whistles, horns, or drums to deter the coyote from your property.
Additionally, never attempt to feed a wild animal as this can create an unnatural dependency between the species and human beings.
What Else Can I Do to Coyote-Proof My Yard?
In addition to taking the precautions listed above, you can also install motion-activated sprinklers or lights that will scare coyotes away when they come close to your property. You can also make sure to keep cats and small dogs indoors, as these animals are often easy targets for coyotes. Finally, it’s important to be aware of the signs of a coyote infestation in your area such as tracks or scat and to contact your local wildlife agency if you see any of these signs. By following these tips and taking preventative measures, you can help ensure that your yard is coyote-proof.
Can I Use a Dog as a Deterrent?
It may be tempting to use a dog as a deterrent against coyotes, but this is generally not recommended. Coyotes are intelligent animals and will quickly learn that the presence of your dog does not pose a real threat. Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that coyotes can easily injure or kill a dog, so it’s best to use other methods of coyote-proofing your yard instead.
Conclusion
Now you know how to coyote proof your yard. Keeping coyotes away requires more than one step. You should regularly inspect your yard for any changes or inconsistencies, as well as be aware of the signs of a coyote presence. Taking these steps can help to ensure that your outdoor areas are safe and free from coyotes.
With the right preventative measures, you can help protect yourself, your family, and your pets.
A little effort goes a long way in coyote proofing your yard. Use these tips and you’ll make your home less attractive to coyotes looking for their next meal. Do you have any other tips for keeping coyotes out of yards? Share them with us in the comments!