Coyotes are becoming a common sight in Missouri neighborhoods, causing concern for many homeowners. These clever canines can pose risks to pets and small children if not properly managed.
Understanding how to safely coexist with coyotes is essential for Missouri residents who want to protect their families while respecting wildlife.
1. Remove Food Sources
Coyotes visit yards for one main reason – they’re hunting for food. Pet food left outside, unsecured garbage cans, and fallen fruit from trees all serve as dinner invitations to hungry coyotes.
Bring pet food indoors at night, use animal-proof garbage containers, and pick up fallen fruit regularly. Bird feeders can also attract small animals that coyotes hunt, so consider limiting their use during periods of high coyote activity.
2. Install Proper Fencing
Determined coyotes can jump fences up to 6 feet tall and dig underneath barriers. A coyote-proof fence needs to be at least 6 feet high with a roller bar or wire extension at the top.
Don’t forget what’s below! Bury fence material at least 12 inches deep or install an L-shaped mesh apron that extends outward from the fence base. This prevents the crafty critters from digging their way into your yard and creating unwanted wildlife encounters.
3. Use Motion-Activated Deterrents
Startling a coyote with sudden light, sound, or water can make your yard feel unsafe to them. Motion-activated sprinklers deliver surprising bursts of water when triggered by movement, sending coyotes running without causing harm.
Light systems that flash when detecting motion work especially well at night. Some homeowners find success with noise makers that emit loud sounds when activated. These devices teach coyotes through negative experiences that your yard isn’t a comfortable place to visit.
4. Practice Hazing Techniques
Hazing teaches coyotes to fear humans and stay away from populated areas. When you spot a coyote, make yourself big by raising your arms and yelling loudly. Wave objects like sticks or jackets to appear more threatening.
Noisemakers such as whistles, air horns, or even pots and pans work well. Never run away – this triggers a chase response in coyotes. Instead, maintain eye contact and back away slowly if needed. Consistent hazing by all neighborhood residents helps reinforce that humans should be avoided.
5. Trim Vegetation and Clear Brush
Coyotes love hiding spots! Dense shrubs, tall grass, and overgrown areas provide perfect cover for these stealthy predators. Regular landscape maintenance eliminates these hiding places and makes your yard less attractive.
Trim bushes so the bottom branches are at least 6 inches off the ground. Keep grass short, especially at property edges. Remove woodpiles or store them away from the house. Creating open, visible spaces makes coyotes feel exposed and vulnerable, encouraging them to move along.
6. Protect Pets With Supervision
Small pets can look like prey to hungry coyotes. Never leave cats or small dogs unattended outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk when coyotes are most active. Even medium-sized dogs may be targeted by coyote packs.
When walking dogs, keep them on short leashes. Consider installing a covered dog run for outdoor time. For cat owners, creating a secure “catio” provides outdoor enjoyment without risk. Remember that pet doors can allow access to your home, so secure them at night.
7. Install Night Lighting
Coyotes prefer to operate under the cover of darkness. Bright yard lighting disrupts their comfort zone and makes your property less appealing for nighttime hunting and exploration.
Solar-powered lights offer an energy-efficient solution for illuminating dark corners. Focus lighting on potential entry points to your yard and areas where pets might go outside at night. Motion-activated systems provide the benefit of sudden light changes that startle and deter approaching wildlife.
8. Secure Compost And Garden Areas
Gardens and compost piles attract rodents, which in turn attract coyotes looking for an easy meal. Using enclosed compost bins prevents wildlife from accessing food scraps and keeps the scent contained.
For vegetable gardens, consider installing a fence with buried mesh extending outward. Avoid using blood meal or bone meal fertilizers that smell like food to predators. Harvest ripe fruits and vegetables promptly to prevent rotting produce from attracting small animals that coyotes hunt.
9. Collaborate With Neighbors
Coyotes don’t recognize property lines! Working together with neighbors creates a unified approach to coyote management across a larger area. Share information about coyote sightings and coordinate hazing efforts for maximum effectiveness.
Consider forming a neighborhood watch group focused on wildlife issues. Consistent deterrent methods used by everyone in the neighborhood send a clear message to coyotes that the entire area should be avoided. One yard with attractants can undermine the efforts of surrounding homes.
10. MISTAKE: Feeding Coyotes Intentionally
Leaving food out for coyotes creates dangerous dependencies and behaviors. Once coyotes associate humans with food, they lose their natural wariness and become bolder, increasing the risk of conflicts.
Fed coyotes often become aggressive when food isn’t provided. This behavior change can’t be easily reversed. Missouri wildlife officials emphasize that feeding creates problem animals that may eventually need to be removed. Remember that a fed coyote is likely to become a dead coyote.
11. MISTAKE: Approaching Or Cornering Coyotes
Coyotes are wild animals that can become dangerous when threatened. Approaching, following, or cornering a coyote removes its escape options and may trigger an aggressive defensive response.
Never allow children to approach coyotes, no matter how curious they may be. If you encounter a coyote that appears sick or injured, don’t attempt to help it yourself. Instead, contact Missouri Department of Conservation officials who have the proper training and equipment to handle wildlife safely.
12. MISTAKE: Using Poison Or Illegal Traps
Attempting to poison coyotes is not only illegal in most Missouri municipalities but also extremely dangerous. Poison can affect pets, children, and other wildlife, causing suffering and unintended deaths throughout the ecosystem.
Illegal trapping methods often lead to inhumane outcomes and rarely solve the root problem. Missouri has specific regulations regarding wildlife control. If removal becomes necessary, contact licensed wildlife professionals who follow humane practices and understand local laws regarding coyote management.
13. MISTAKE: Ignoring Unusual Coyote Behavior
Healthy coyotes typically avoid humans and flee when noticed. A coyote that appears unusually bold, approaches people, or shows aggression may be sick, injured, or habituated to humans.
Report concerning behaviors to local animal control or the Missouri Department of Conservation immediately. Signs of rabies include staggering, disorientation, or extreme aggression. Coyotes active during daylight hours aren’t necessarily cause for concern – they’re adaptable and may adjust their hunting schedule around human activity.