How to get rid of coyotes
If you’ve seen a coyote recently, you’re not alone. These highly adaptable animals are becoming increasingly common in and in developed areas, largely due to the wide variety of possible shelters and abundant food waste.
Coyotes have certainly gained their place in the food chain (and continue to contribute significantly to the ecological community), but the threat of coyotes to your pet is considerable. In an attempt to protect your pet from a dangerous attack or alteration, we have the following tips to get rid of coyotes.
Keep in check
Coyotes are enormously useful for keeping the rodent population low, but are easily drawn away from their territories by the smell of food. Their proximity to our doors and back yards may alternate between surprising and disturbing, but the bottom line is that security measures should always be observed and implemented.
Understanding the threat of coyotes
Coyotes seem to consider neighborhoods to be the main hunting grounds. While this includes rats, mice, squirrels and rabbits, coyotes have been known to prey on cats and dogs. If your pet is larger than an approaching coyote, it can cause a fight with serious injury. In addition, parasites can transmit parasites and diseases such as rabies, parvovirus, giardia and distemper to your pet.
If your pet has suffered an attack, seek emergency assistance immediately.
What to look for trace coyotes?
The traces of coyotes look like traces of dogs, but their gait makes the front and rear paw land in the same place. The Urban Coyote Research team should be notified if you see a coyote in our area or if you want updated information on threats from nearby coyotes. They actively capture, collect and control coyotes in Illinois.
How to get rid of coyotes
To get rid of coyote’s threat, we encourage you to follow these tips …
- Protect your backyard with fences that are at least 6 feet high and extend one-foot underground
- Clean all fallen fruit or scattered birdseeds
- Keep the trashcans closed and cover the piles of dirt
- Go out with your dog or cat after dark, keep your pet on a leash and carry a flashlight
- Make sure your neighbors don’t leave food out
- Update your pet’s vaccinations
- Have your pet sterilized or neutered
- Prevent rodents from nesting in garden sheds or under the house, as they are main targets for coyotes
- Limit ideal resting areas for coyotes on your property; cut the bushes and remove any fallen tree branches or trunks
- Consider making your cat indoor-outdoor strictly indoor
The threat of coyotes is very real and may surprise you. Whether you’re in a sub-urban development or on a path, if you ever cross a coyote, make yourself look bigger than you are. Clap your hands, wave your arms high, and find something to throw to scare the coyote. Instead of running, step back slowly keeping your eyes on the coyote. You can decide to invest in an air horn or bear spray.
If you can, don’t let your pet run to a coyote. Chasing or threatening a coyote can be extremely dangerous.
