Fish and Wildlife: Avoiding conflicts with coyotes

Coyote in Grace Cole Nature Preserve
Photo by Sara Lorimer

Below are the suggestions for dealing with conflicts with coyotes from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. There are several ways that homeowners can discourage coyotes from making pests of themselves or becoming serious threats:

• Be assertive in your attitude and behavior towards coyotes that are not showing normal, healthy fear, and respect towards you and others.
• Do not feed feral cats (domestic felines gone wild); coyotes prey on the cats, as well as feed on cat food left out for them. (Editor - pick the food up before dusk)
• Do not feed wildlife on the ground; keep wild bird seed in feeders designed for birds, elevated or hanging above ground, and clean up spilled seed from the ground; coyotes can either be drawn directly to the seed, or to the rodents drawn to the seed.
• Keep compost piles securely covered; correct composting never includes animal matter, like bones or fat, which can draw coyotes even more quickly than decomposing vegetable matter.
• Keep fruit trees fenced or pick up fruit that falls to the ground.
• Keep garbage securely stored, especially if it has to be put on the curb for collection; use tight-locking or bungee-cord-wrapped trash cans that are not easily opened if knocked over by coyotes or dogs.
• Keep pet food and water inside (Editor: or bring it in at night)
• Keep pets inside or confined securely in a kennel or covered exercise yard.
• Minimize ground cover vegetation near children's play areas to avoid attracting rodents and small mammals that will in turn attract coyotes; keep clusters of shrubs, trees, and other cover and food plants away from buildings and children play areas.
• Use noise-making and other scaring devices when coyotes are seen. Check with local authorities regarding noise and weapons ordinances. Portable air horns, motor vehicle horns, slingshots, and rocks can be effective.