Last week, we shared a blog about a recent coyote attack in the Connecticut Shoreline. Today, we’re sharing tips and products that will help in deterring coyotes from your home. Especially during coyote mating and breeding seasons, which run from December to March and April to May, respectively, these tips are key to ensuring you and your pet stay safe this time of year.
Deterring Coyotes from Your Home: Secure Trash
In last week’s blog, we shared that coyotes may be attracted to food sources and trash in and around your home. Because coyotes can scale up to 12 feet, it’s important to keep your yard clean even if it’s fenced. Cleanliness is the first step in deterring coyotes as they tend to seek out yards that smell like food.
Also, pick up after your pets and community cats when they urinate or defecate in and around your yard. By picking up immediately, you limit the smell and spread of your pet’s “business.” Often considered a snack by hungry wildlife, pet feces usually has undigested food particles in it.
Finally, clean up your outdoor kitchens and grills after each use. Consider investing in a bear-proof trash can and, if composting, check out these tips to keep wildlife out of your compost.
Deterring Coyotes from Your Home: Ditch Bird Feeders
Many of our clients love to feed birds, especially this time of year. But, as stated above, any kind of food can attract coyotes to your yard. With birdseed in particular, you attract small mammals, including squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks, which are very appealing to coyotes.
Deterring Coyotes from Your Home: Use Lights
Coyotes are scared of humans and other predators. When hunting, they seek out the path of least resistance. An unlit home with tall grasses provides lots of hiding areas whereas a well-trimmed yard with bright lights seems less secure. From solar-powered path lights to decorative, twinkling lights around trees and roofs, lights make your home less appealing to coyotes looking for a meal.
If twinkling lights aren’t your style, consider motion-activated lights that come on when they sense movement. A sudden bright light will usually send smaller wildlife running because they are afraid to be seen.
Deterring Coyotes from Your Home: Activate Sprinklers
Similar to the above-referenced motion-activated lights, some sprinklers can be programmed to come on when they sense movement. Motion-activated sprinklers are a great way to startle coyotes away and keep them off your yard for good.
However, motion-activated sprinklers alone will not do the trick. If you have freshly grilled burgers just beyond the sprinklers, coyotes may be willing to cross your water barrier for a worthwhile reward.
Deterring Coyotes from Your Home: Blast Sound
Coyotes are very sensitive to sound. For this reason, banging a pot or yelling can often help during a coyote attack.
For your home’s protection, consider a sensor-based alarm that goes off when something crosses the perimeter. These inexpensive alarms are a great way to deter coyotes, but keep your neighbors in mind when considering this option. They too will have to hear the alarm when it goes off.
Bells and large metal wind chimes may also work and are, usually, not as terrifying.
Deterring Coyotes from Your Home: Consider Commercial Deterrents
From solar-powered predator lights that make coyotes think another animal is present to scented sprays, the options for commercial coyote deterrents are almost limitless.
A quick Google search will yield DIY scent deterrents and more. Take your time to consider your options and keep an eye on local apps like Nextdoor and social media groups to get an idea of how often and where your neighbors are seeing coyote activity. The more informed you are and the more layers of protection you employ, the better off you and your family – namely your pets – will be.
At Shoreline Happy Paws, we love the Connecticut Shoreline and its natural beauty. We believe that our community can thrive alongside wild animals as long as we give wildlife the space and respect it deserves. For this reason, our employees are trained to avoid coyotes by staying on marked trails, carrying spray deterrents, and being vigilant of their surroundings at all times.
That said, if you see or hear about a coyote sighting in your neighborhood, we ask that you please alert us immediately. That way, we can review safety protocols and best practices with your primary pet sitter; the safety of your pet and our employees is of utmost importance at Shoreline Happy Paws.
Connecticut Shoreline Pet Sitting & Dog Walking
To book dog walking, dog hiking, or pet sitting services in the CT Shoreline, please log in to your client profile. If you are new to Shoreline Happy Paws and would like to discuss your pet care needs, please create an account.
Shoreline Happy Paws serves the following areas of the Connecticut Shoreline:
- Old Saybrook
- Essex, Ivoryton & Centerbrook
- Deep River
- Chester
- Westbrook
- Clinton
- Old Lyme
- East Lyme
- Niantic
Certain Parts and Certain Service Hours in:
- Lyme and Madison
- Waterford, New London, Groton
- Uncasville, Gales Ferry, Mystic, Noank
We sincerely hope that these tips keep coyotes at bay and pets safe. The last thing we want to hear is more cases of coyote attacks in our area.
