Reliable food sources are what mainly attract coyotes to residential areas. As they are timid creatures, coyotes will likely avoid entering houses, but they do enjoy foraging in yards. Unsecured garbage, pet food left outside, and the presence of livestock, like backyard chicken coops or animal pens, all tempt coyotes as they are easy meals.

Coyotes are known carriers of dangerous diseases like rabies, and their presence in urban areas can cause problems when they encounter vehicles on roadways. They are also capable of inflicting severe wounds. Human fatalities aren’t uncommon when multiple coyotes from a pack decide to attack. Additionally, coyotes hunt livestock, game animals, and poultry meant for human consumption. They may even attack pets like cats or small dogs.

Keeping coyotes away from homes and yards usually involves a two-fold strategy. First, residents should remove food sources that draw the animal to the area. Secure garbage in tightly sealed bins, clean up leftovers after picnics or cookouts, bring outdoor pet food inside at night, and secure any livestock or poultry in coops or barns. Secondly, fences can be useful to keep coyotes out, but only if they are partially buried under the ground to thwart digging.

Most areas of the country allow nuisance coyotes to be removed with a permit from state wildlife officials, and some states allow hunting without restriction. Due to their widespread populations across the country, though, hunting is generally not an effective long-term control method. New packs of coyotes move into unoccupied areas after another has been removed. Therefore, residents are better off contacting local wildlife control experts who have the knowledge, experience, and tools necessary to manage nuisance coyote problems.