Have a problem with coyotes in your yard or near your home? We’re here to help. We list a variety of safe, humane ways to help peacefully coexist with wildlife.
Coyote basics
Coyotes are very well adapted to living in cities. Coyotes may be active at any time of day. Their diet consists of rabbits and rodents, carrion, birds and deer, supplemented with berries and other plant materials. If allowed, they will also prey on domestic pets such as cats and any pet food that is left outside.
Coyotes venture out in search of food and shelter. By removing any potential food sources from your home, you can prevent repeat coyote visits. Securing your own home is a good first step, but coexisting with coyotes is truly a group effort, so be sure to share these tips with your neighbors. You can print out or download our coyote flyer and share them in your neighborhood or on your online neighborhood forums such as Facebook and Nextdoor.
Coyotes and food
Since coyotes are naturally afraid of people, they are unlikely to approach or harm us. However, intentional or unintentional feeding can alter their natural behaviors, making them more comfortable around humans, and lead to bolder behavior. As such, it is crucial to remove any potential source of food from coyotes and actively haze them whenever they are on or near your property.
- Keep your cats inside and supervise small dogs outdoors
- Remove any outdoor pet food
- Remove any bird feeders you have set out
- Pick up fruit as soon as it falls to the ground
- Keep barbecue grills clean
- Eliminate access to water on your property, like standing water or bird baths
Secure your home
In addition to seeking out food, coyotes tend to linger anywhere they can find shelter. Secure your home so that coyotes will not find it hospitable.
- Wildlife-proof garbage in sturdy containers with tight fitting lids
- Keep trash in a secure location and only take out trash the morning pick up is scheduled
- Keep compost in secure containers
- Secure your garage and don’t leave the door open
- Cover your garden with chicken wire
- Trim overgrown landscaping and clear brush, trim hedges 6”-12” off the ground
- Close off crawl spaces under decks and around buildings
- Invest in motion detecting lights that make sound when activated, motion sensing water sprayers, or roll bar fencing also referred to as “coyote rollers”
Encountering a coyote
Coyotes are typically very wary of humans and will do their best to avoid us. Take the following steps when you encounter one to ensure your safety:
- Make the coyote feel uncomfortable
- Be aggressive. Yell or spray a hose at the coyote. Make loud noises or shake a can of pennies to scare the coyote away. Throw tennis balls or open and close an umbrella.
- Make yourself appear large and stand your ground
- Never turn your back or run away
- Walk your dog on a leash. You can lower your chance of encountering coyotes on your dog walks by avoiding walking your dog at dawn or dusk.
- Make safety your first priority. In case of an emergency, call 911.
How we can help
- If you believe you have found sick or injured wildlife, please call or text the wildlife helpline at 626.344.1129 (text is preferred) between the hours of 9am-5pm. Please note, this is not an emergency service and we will return your message as soon as we are able. General inquiries about wildlife can be sent to wildlife@pasadenahumane.org.
- We will visit your neighborhood association or community group to provide a wildlife presentation or interactive coyote safety workshop. For more information, contact 626.792.7151 ext. 114 or outreach@pasadenahumane.org.
- Visit our wildlife page at pasadenahumane.org/wildlife for more tips about peaceful coexistence with other native wildlife.
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