As the weather is getting warmer, we all love to have our doors and windows open to catch that cool summer breeze.  We are also tempted to let our pets hang out in our backyards, well past sundown, so that they may enjoy the cooler weather themselves.  As tempting as this may be, please don’t let your pets outside alone at dawn, dusk, or after sundown.

In my neighborhood in Laguna Hills, I have heard way too many stories of small pets being taken out of their owners’ backyard by a coyote.  Please be sensitive to the fact that these coyotes can easily jump over our standard 6’ tall fencing.  Here in South Orange County we enjoy lots of green space around our neighborhoods.  These same green spaces are where coyotes live and hunt.  When they are hungry they are indiscriminate about what they eat.  Be aware that, in general, coyotes are most active at dusk and dawn, but I have seen them on the streets of Laguna Niguel during daylight hours as well.  On that note, here are a few tips to help keep them out of your yard.

Eliminate Their Food Source–

If you have noticed coyotes hanging around your neighborhood, or your yard in particular, please have a look around your property and remove things that will attract coyotes.  If you feed the wild birds, as I do, please empty out or remove your bird feeders before dark.  These feeders attract rats, mice and other rodents, which then attract the coyotes.  Keep your supply of bird seed in a metal container with a locking lid.  That helps keeps the rats from free-feeding on your seed.  Also, remove any fallen fruit or seeds that may have dropped during the day.  Be sure to empty out your dog water bowls each evening.  If you feed your pets outside, please be sure to bring in their bowls when they are finished eating and safely throw away any leftovers and give those bowls a cleaning.  Keep your outside trash cans securely closed.

As it is now barbeque season, although for some of us it is always barbeque season, please be sure to thoroughly clean your grill after each use.  Imagine those coyotes getting a whiff of your freshly grilled food –  Yummy.

Install Motion-Sensing Lights and/or Sprinklers-

These types of deterrents startle the coyotes and may work in scaring them out of your yard.  You may find the motion-sensing sprinklers as a deer-deterrent as well.  I don’t think we get many deer wandering around Aliso Viejo, but if you are searching online for these types of products, that may help in your search.

Try Odor Deterrents-

You can find various “wild animal scents” at specialty hardware stores or online.  They can be expensive and need to be reapplied frequently.  Wolf urine is most commonly used.  Also try moth balls and/or rags soaked in ammonia.  The moth balls work well when placed in trash cans as it covers up the smell of rotting food.

Keep Your Landscape Trimmed-

If you are lucky enough to have a yard, whether large or small, keeping bushes and trees trimmed and tidy can help eliminate hiding places for the coyote to sleep in during the day.  Wood piles and tall grass may also provide shelter.  Have a look around your yard today and see if you can spot any potential dens for the local coyotes to nap in, and eliminate them.  If they don’t have shelter, they may move along, especially if they don’t have an easy food source as well.

Coyotes breed between February and March and produce their litters in April and May, so we will see an increase in our coyote population right now.  Their parents will be looking for food sources for the new offspring.  Please, please, please, do not let your dog run loose on your walks.  Keep them safely on a leash, preferably NOT a retractable, you can never retract that thing fast enough in an emergency situation.  If you think your pup could use a dog walk during the day, please contact The Pet Sitter.  We would be happy to help.

Bottom line; please do not let your pets outside alone after dark.  Be their escort when they go outside for their last potty of the evening.  It only takes a few minutes and could save your furry best friends life.

Thank you.