What to do if coyotes are near your house during the day?

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Seeing a coyote near your home during the day can be unsettling, but knowing how to react is crucial: the best course of action is to deter them from becoming comfortable around humans, preventing potential problems in the future.

Understanding Coyote Behavior

Coyotes, once primarily inhabitants of the American West, have adapted remarkably well to urban and suburban environments across North America. Their presence near residential areas is becoming increasingly common, driven by factors like habitat loss and the availability of food sources. Understanding their behavior is key to coexisting safely.

Why Are Coyotes Out During the Day?

Traditionally, coyotes are crepuscular animals, most active at dawn and dusk. However, seeing them during the day isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm. Several factors can contribute to daytime activity:

Pup rearing: During spring and summer, coyote parents may be more active during the day as they hunt to feed their young.
Food availability: If an easy food source, such as unsecured garbage or pet food, is readily available during daylight hours, coyotes may adjust their schedule.
Lack of fear: Coyotes that have become accustomed to humans may lose their natural wariness and become bolder in their activity patterns.
Dispersal: Young coyotes leaving their parents’ territory may travel during the day in search of new territories.

Deterring Coyotes: Hazing Techniques

The goal of hazing is to make coyotes feel uncomfortable and unwelcome near your property, reinforcing their fear of humans. Effective hazing requires consistency and persistence. Here’s how to haze a coyote:

Make noise: Yell loudly, blow a whistle, shake a can filled with rocks, or use an air horn.
Make yourself look big: Wave your arms, open your jacket wide, or stand tall.
Throw things: Throw small objects, like tennis balls or sticks, towards the coyote (but not at them with the intention to injure).
Use water: Spray the coyote with a garden hose or squirt gun.
Maintain eye contact: A direct, assertive gaze can be intimidating.

Preventing Coyote Encounters: Best Practices

Prevention is always the best strategy. By taking proactive steps, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of coyote encounters:

Secure garbage: Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and store them in a garage or shed.
Remove food sources: Don’t leave pet food or water outside, and clean up spilled birdseed.
Trim vegetation: Keep shrubs and bushes trimmed to reduce hiding places for coyotes.
Supervise pets: Keep small pets indoors or on a leash, especially during dawn and dusk.
Install fencing: A tall, solid fence can deter coyotes from entering your property.
Motion-activated lights and sprinklers: These can startle coyotes and discourage them from approaching.

What Not to Do

While hazing is important, there are some actions you should avoid:

Never feed coyotes: Feeding coyotes habituates them to humans and encourages them to return.
Don’t approach coyotes: Maintain a safe distance and respect their space.
Don’t run away: This can trigger a coyote’s predatory instincts. Instead, stand your ground and use hazing techniques.
Don’t turn your back: Keep the coyote in your line of sight.

When to Seek Professional Help

In some cases, professional intervention may be necessary:

Aggressive behavior: If a coyote displays aggressive behavior, such as lunging, snapping, or biting, contact your local animal control or wildlife agency immediately.
Sick or injured coyotes: A coyote that appears sick or injured may pose a greater risk and should be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Repeated encounters: If you consistently encounter coyotes despite taking preventative measures, seek advice from a wildlife professional.

Coexisting Peacefully: A Shared Responsibility

Learning to coexist with coyotes requires a shared responsibility. By understanding their behavior, taking preventative measures, and implementing effective hazing techniques, we can minimize conflicts and ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife. Remember, what to do if coyotes are near your house during the day is largely about discouraging them from becoming comfortable with humans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if a coyote approaches me?

Stand your ground, make yourself look large, and yell loudly. Maintain eye contact and slowly back away while continuing to haze the coyote. Do not run, as this can trigger a chase response. If you have a small pet with you, pick it up if you can do so safely without turning your back on the coyote.

Are coyotes dangerous to humans?

Coyotes are generally shy animals that avoid human contact. However, they can become dangerous if they are habituated to humans, feel threatened, or are protecting their young. It is crucial to maintain a safe distance and practice deterrent techniques.

How can I protect my pets from coyotes?

Keep your pets indoors, especially during dawn and dusk. When outside, keep them on a leash and supervise them closely. Install secure fencing around your yard and consider using coyote rollers to prevent coyotes from climbing over the fence.

What should I do if I find coyote pups?

Do not approach or disturb the pups. Coyotes are protective parents and may become aggressive if they perceive a threat to their young. Report the location of the pups to your local animal control or wildlife agency.

Will trapping and relocating coyotes solve the problem?

Trapping and relocating coyotes is generally not an effective solution. It can disrupt the local ecosystem and create a vacuum that is quickly filled by other coyotes. Furthermore, relocated coyotes may have difficulty surviving in unfamiliar territory.

What is the best way to deter coyotes from my yard?

The most effective approach involves a combination of preventative measures and hazing techniques. Remove food sources, secure garbage, trim vegetation, and use motion-activated deterrents. If you encounter a coyote, haze it consistently to reinforce its fear of humans.

Are coyotes protected animals?

Coyote protection status varies by state and local jurisdiction. In some areas, they are classified as game animals and can be hunted or trapped. In others, they are protected. Check with your local wildlife agency for specific regulations.

What are the signs that a coyote is habituated to humans?

Signs of habituation include approaching humans without fear, lingering in residential areas during the day, and feeding on readily available food sources like pet food or garbage. What to do if coyotes are near your house during the day increasingly becomes preventative measures when these signs are recognized.

Should I report coyote sightings?

Reporting coyote sightings to your local animal control or wildlife agency can help them track coyote populations and identify potential problem areas. However, routine, non-threatening sightings do not necessarily require reporting.

How can I tell the difference between a coyote and a dog?

Coyotes are typically smaller and leaner than dogs, with a bushy tail that is held down when running. They also have pointed ears and a narrow muzzle. Their coat color can vary, but is often a mix of gray, brown, and red.

Is it safe to walk my dog in areas where coyotes are present?

It is generally safe to walk your dog in coyote areas if you take precautions. Keep your dog on a leash, avoid walking during dawn and dusk, and be aware of your surroundings. If you encounter a coyote, be prepared to haze it.

Are coyotes more active during certain times of the year?

Coyotes are generally more active during the spring and summer months, when they are raising their young. They may also be more active during the winter months, when food is scarce. It’s important to be extra vigilant in areas that have a coyote population during these times. Knowing what to do if coyotes are near your house during the day should become a priority during breeding season.