The City wants to remind residents that it is normal to see coyotes throughout North Texas, especially in late spring, as coyotes typically give birth to litters of pups during this time. If a coyote is entering a yard or neighborhood, it is likely for one of three reasons: food, water, or shelter. Removing these attractants is vital to encouraging them to move on.
Biologists with Texas Parks & Wildlife offer the following advice:
- Do not feed coyotes. Keep pet food and water inside. Keep garbage securely stored.
- Keep compost piles securely covered; correct composting never includes animal matter like bones or fat, which can draw coyotes even more quickly that decomposing vegetable matter.
- Keep pets inside, confined securely in a kennel or covered exercise yard, or within the close presence of an adult.
- Walk pets on a leash and accompany them outside, especially at night.
- 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 fruit trees fenced or pick up fruit that falls to the ground.
- Do not feed feral cats; this can encourage coyotes to prey on cats, as well as feed on cat food left out for them.
- Use noise-making devices to scare away coyotes when they are seen.
More tips: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/nuisance/coyote/
Website: www.cor.net/coyotes
