DETERRING COYOTES FROM YOUR HOME

COMMON DISEASES FROM COYOTES    

The most common diseases of coyotes are distemper and canine hepatitis.  Rabies and tularemia also occur and may be transmitted to humans and other animals.  Coyotes often carry parasites including mites, ticks, fleas, worms and flukes.  Mites which cause sarcopic damage are an important extoparasite of coyotes.  Heartworm is one of the important endoparasites in California's coyote population.  This parasite can be transmitted to domestic dogs by mosquitoes.

MEASURES TO TAKE TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND PETS FROM COYOTE THREATS

1.  Never Feed Coyotes:  The result may be deadly conficts with pets or injuires to small children.  Report anyone to the Department of Fish &Game who intentionally feeds coyotes.

2.  Monitor Pets & Kids:  Coyotes will attack and kill cats and dogs.  Do not allow your pets to roam free, especially at night.  Keep dogs on a leash in front of you at all times.  Coyotes have snatched pets off of leashes following behind.

3.  Do Not Leave Your Pet Outside:  This invites wildlife into your or your neighbor's yards.  Cats left outdoors are easy prey for coyotes.  By doing so, you are attracting coyotes to your neighbor's property as well who may have small children playing in their backyards.  For the safety of neighborhood kids, please keep your pets indoors when unable to monitor them.

4.  Secure doggy doors:  Coyotes have entered garages and homes to attack pets.  Keep doggy doors locked.

5.  Do Not Leave Food Outside:  Keep all pet food and water bowls indoors.  Remove fallen fruit from trees. 

6.  Coyote Approaches You:  NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,TURN YOUR BACK AND RUN.  Become BIG!  Wave your arms, scream, throw rocks!  By running, you are seen as prey by the coyote.  Carry a walking stick or keep a detterent spray handy or noise maker.  Plan outside activities during the day light hours when coyotes are less active.  Avoid potential coyote den sights.

4.  Garbage Cans should be shut tightly to prevent coyotes who have a keen sense of smell from being attracted to your home by smells. 

5.   Shrubbery:  Coyotes will lay in wait for your pets.  Make sure to trim ground-level shrubbery to avoid hidding places.

6.  Bird Feeders:  Do not have bird feeders on your property.  Bird food will attract rats which will attract coyotes to your home.

7.  Seal-up any openings under porches, decks and sheds with welded wire that is buried at least 18 inches below the ground.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES FROM COYOTES

a.  Human scent such as cologne or perfume should be applied especially in your backyard.  Be sure to reapply after any rain.

b.  Ammonia-soaked rags or apply to an area with a squirt bottle.  Must be re-applied after rain.  Other odor deterrents such as cayenne pepper or vinegar in water gusn or ballons, etc. are also useful.

c.  Install motion detector lights around all areas of your property.

Coyotes that are no longer afraid of humans are called "imprinted".  When coyotes continue to be a problem after non-lethal methods have proven unsuccessful or when human health and safety is jeopardized, it is sometimes necessary to kill one or more animals.

Sources to the above information were obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture, Department of Fish & Game, Colorado Division of Wildlife and Project Coyote.