The Common Yard Feature That Could Be Attracting Coyotes To Your Yard

If it seems like you're seeing or hearing about an influx of coyotes in your area, you're not alone. While these omnivores once resided in the western parts of North America exclusively, they now live in all parts of the continental U.S.. Today, coyotes are found in cities and rural areas alike. They may even make their way into residential yards from time to time in search of food and water. In fact, you might be accidentally attracting coyotes to your own yard if you have water features that might help these animals quench their thirst from time to time.

Coyotes are generally not considered dangerous to humans, and they will often keep their distance out of fear. Nevertheless, coyotes aren't completely harmless, especially when it comes to small children and pets. Coyotes are even known to be less fearful of humans in more suburban areas where they have grown accustomed to people. As such, most homeowners will err on the side of caution and try to keep coyotes out of their yards, particularly if they have children and pets that often venture outdoors.

The good news is there are a number of tips and tricks to keep coyotes out of your backyard you can try. Putting up a fence around your yard and keeping food sources indoors are all considered effective strategies for coyote management. Cleaning up bird seed and other items that might attract rodents could also help reduce the chances of coyotes seeking them out as prey. Aside from food, you will also need to assess whether other items might be attracting coyotes into your yard.

There are many reasons why you should be adding an outdoor water feature to your landscaping, but it's also important to be aware of the potential downsides. Birdbaths, fountains, and other common types of backyard water features may attract unwanted wildlife. This can include coyotes who might be looking for sources of both food and water. The risk of backyard water features is especially highest during drier weather and droughts.

While it's important to be aware of the possibility that water features might attract coyotes to your yard, you don't necessarily have to get rid of these outdoor elements. For example, birdbaths may be drained at the end of the day and refilled the next morning for bird visitors, so these don't attract unwanted wildlife overnight. It's also a good idea to bring any pet water bowls indoors. For more complex water features that cannot be drained daily, such as fountains or pools, you may want to consider fencing your yard to deter coyotes from accessing them.

Finally, if you do see a coyote in your backyard, remain calm and get all children and pets indoors. Make loud noises by shouting or banging on objects to help scare coyotes away, but never approach them. You may also consider calling local authorities or a wildlife expert for help, especially if you're seeing the animals around your property during the daytime. These are signs that the coyotes are used to humans and may need expert relocation.