Animals are naturally curious beings. If they see something that interests them, they will investigate it. This is how they learn about their environment and what is safe to eat and what isn’t. Unfortunately, this curiosity can sometimes lead to trouble.
Coyotes are no different. If they see something that looks like food, they will try to eat it. This includes garbage, pet food, and even small animals. While coyotes aren’t typically considered dangerous to humans, they can be a nuisance if they get too comfortable around people.
But other than this, what do coyotes do? Are they destructive?
Coyotes keep the rodents population in check.
Coyotes are known to enjoy preying on small rodents. This includes mice, rats, and rabbits. By eating these animals, coyotes help to control the spread of disease. Rodents multiply faster than any other animal. Coyotes help to keep the rodent population from getting too out of hand.
A coyote is an omnivorous animal, meaning it consumes both plants and animals. In addition to rodents, coyotes will also eat fruit and other vegetation. They shift their diets depending on the current season. In winter, they eat more meat to stay warm, while in summer, they eat a mic of small animals, fruits, and vegetables.
Coyotes are opportunistic feeders.
Coyotes will eat just about anything. However, they prefer fresh meat. If they find a carcass, they will eat it, but they would much rather hunt for their food.
Coyotes love to wander in the forest, so they can hunt any small animal when they want to. Ground-nesting birds often fall victim to these animals.
These animals also love to rummage in trash cans. If you leave your trash out, a coyote will come along and help themselves. This can be a nuisance, especially when it occurs often.
Coyote attacks are rare.
In some cases, coyotes have even attacked people. However, these attacks are rare and usually only happen if the coyote feels threatened or is protecting its young.
Attacks on humans are usually preventable. If you see a coyote, make yourself appear as large as possible and make noise to scare it away. Never approach a coyote, especially if it is with its young.
Coyotes are typically shy.
Looking at coyotes, you may see them as intimidating and fierce. But it turns out coyotes are shy animals and will avoid contact with humans whenever possible. In fact, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation says over 20,000 coyotes coexist with us in our state. But, sightings are seldom because they are timid and secretive animals.
Coyotes are keeping our environment clean.
Coyotes also give benefit by maintaining healthy ecosystems and rendering ecological service. This is because they scavenge by eating carrion or dead animals they find. Without coyotes, carcasses would fill the environment, and diseases would spread more quickly.
Prevention
Amidst all the environmental benefits of coyotes, we must admit it! They can be annoying when they continuously lurk around our property. But there are ways to prevent coyotes from visiting.
Here’s how:
Clean your yards
Remove any garbage, pet food, or water sources that might attract coyotes. Coyotes have strong smell senses, so keeping a clean environment would help deter them from coming too close. Another thing is that they’re curious animals. If they see tons of piled junk or trash in your yard, they may enter your property to explore your area.
Remove any food sources coyotes can get
As we mentioned earlier, coyotes are opportunistic feeders. If they see food sources such as small animals or fruits lying around your property, they will enter your yard to eat them.
Keep your garbage cans tightly closed and pick up fallen fruit from trees. You should also secure your chicken coop and keep your pets indoors, especially at night.
Put up fences
An open area serves as an invitation for coyotes. Fences will help protect your property and prevent coyotes from coming in. A well-built fence around 6 feet tall would do the trick.
Don’t forget to check the bottom of the fence, as coyotes can dig their way in or jump, so make sure the fence is high enough.
Secure your garbage
Don’t let your garbage open. Coyotes can smell food from a distance, so if they see an open garbage can, they will come to your property and help themselves. To avoid this, make sure to keep your garbage cans tightly closed.
Use coyote-resistant containers if possible and clean them regularly. It would be best if you also put your garbage out before pick-up day instead of the night before.
Feed your pets inside
Feed your pets inside and clean up any food they don’t finish. You should avoid leaving pet food outside as it would attract coyotes (and other animals) to your yard. Coyotes may not only get food from your property but also harm your pets, especially when pregnant.
Clear any water sources
Coyotes are attracted to water sources, so removing any standing water on your property is essential. This includes fixing leaky faucets or hoses and emptying kiddie pools when you’re done using them.
Trim your shrubs and trees
It would help if you also trim your shrubs and trees to reduce hiding spots for coyotes. Coyotes love to hide in tall grasses and bushes, so by trimming them, you will make it harder for them to enter your property.
Do not pet coyotes
Last but not least, never pet or attempt to feed a coyote. They may seem friendly, but they are wild animals, and you don’t want to get too close to them. You may be bitten, scratched, or attacked by these animals, especially when they’re not in the mood. This may be an entry for viruses and diseases to be transmitted.
Should you Kill Coyotes?
Now we know how to prevent coyotes from entering our property. Let’s talk about whether or not we should have coyotes killed.
The short answer is no. Coyotes are essential animals in the ecosystem and play a vital role in keeping the environment clean. They also help control the population of small animals (like rodent and rabbit populations), which can be beneficial to us. You should not kill this creature.
Additionally, killing coyotes does not solve the problem, as more coyotes will move into the area and take the place of the ones you killed. It’s also inhumane to kill these animals.
If you’re having trouble with coyotes on your property, you should contact a professional to help you get rid of them. Many companies specialize in coyote removal, and they will be able to help you safely remove these animals from your property.
Controlling Coyotes in the Garden
Coyotes are often pests because they may enter your property and damage your garden. These animals are attracted to gardens because of the available food sources ( fruits, vegetables, etc.).
If you have a coyote problem in your garden, you can do a few things to control them.
Use scare tactics if you see a coyote on your property.
You can use loud noises, bright lights, or water hoses to scare them away. This will only work if you see the coyote on your property, but it’s an excellent way to get rid of them.
There are also hazing methods, like yelling while waving your arms as you approach them. Noisemakers are also a common method. This includes whistles, bells, air horns, and shakers.
Keep crawl spaces under porches and sheds closed.
You should also keep any crawl spaces under your porches and sheds closed. This will prevent coyotes from entering these areas and damaging your property.
The tiny spaces under your porches and sheds can be an invitation for coyotes to den or rest. By sealing off these areas, you will make it difficult for them to enter your property.
Use some flashing devices.
You can also use visual scare devices like streamers, mylar balloons, or pie pans. These moving objects will startle coyotes, causing them to think twice before entering your property.
You can use pie pans by banging them against each other, and mylar balloons make coyotes think someone is watching them. So they will avoid entering your property.
Trap and hunt coyotes on your property if legal
If you have a coyote problem on your property, you may want to consider trapping and hunting them. This is only legal in some states, so check the laws in your area before doing this.
You will need to get a license to trap and hunt coyotes, and you should only do this if you’re experienced.
Educate your neighbors about coyote
It’s useless if you’re the only one doing the work. You’ve made all the deterring tactics and prevention, but your neighbors are openly inviting these animals.
You can talk to your neighbors and encourage them to do the same. This way, you can work together to get rid of the coyotes in the area.
Coyote Facts!
We know you’ve thought about this too. This canine mammal looks like wolves!
Research and studies show that the species, northeastern coyotes, have a higher incidence of wolf genes. The analysis argues that coyotes have the same skull characteristics and jaw musculature, similar to wolves. This also points out that these coyotes can take down larger prey.
Did you know that there are subsidized predator control methods for coyotes? Yes, that’s true! Some methods are even lethal and cruel. This includes hunting, poisoning, live-trapping, and killing their pups.
Hunters and ranchers used these control methods to protect livestock and safety. This hunting often happens throughout their range, from Central America to the Western United States.
Have A Coyote Infestation Problem? Call Us Today!
We know- having coyotes lurking around your property is a nuisance. Much more when they damage your property and continuously rummage through your trash cans. Aside from that, various diseases and infections await.
If you have a coyote problem on your property, AAAC Wildlife Removal can help. We specialize in coyote removal and will be able to get rid of these animals from your property safely.
Final Thoughts?
All animals are curious in nature. Coyotes are no exemption. They will enter your property to see what’s happening and if food is available. However, this doesn’t mean that they’re automatically destructive.
A coyote’s behavior can be problematic if they enter your property and damage your garden or trash cans. If you have a coyote problem on your property, you can do a few things to control it. This includes using scare tactics, keeping your property clean, and sealing off any crawl spaces. You may also consider trapping and hunting them if it’s legal in your area.
The best way to get rid of coyotes is by working with your neighbors. This way, you can control the coyote population in the area and prevent them from entering your property.
But if these things don’t work, AAAC Wildlife Removal is always ready for rescue. We are experienced in coyote removal, and we can safely remove these animals from your property.
To learn more about coyote behavior and the problems they can create, click here: coyote behavior.
FAQs
What habitat do coyotes live in?
Coyotes prefer an open landscapes, like deserts and prairies. They also live in woodlands, mountains, and even urban areas.
What are coyote predators?
Coyotes have predators too. This includes bears, wolves, and humans.
What do coyotes eat?
Coyotes are opportunistic feeders, so they’ll eat anything they can find. Their diet includes small mammals, reptiles, birds, fruits, and vegetables. Predation against sheep, deer, and other similar-sized mammal is common too.
