Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – July 15, 2024 – How Can I Deter Foxes, Coyotes From My Neighbourhood?
Welcome to the Mayor’s Monday Mailbag, an initiative Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor’s Office launched to share weekly answers to questions from the public we’ve received through our main email inbox at mayor@burlington.ca or the Mayor's social media platforms.
At the end of the month, we publish a roundup of those most pressing questions we’ve received in the weeks prior.
Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – July 15, 2024
Q: How can I deter foxes and coyotes from my neighbourhood?
Coyote, fox, and other wildlife sightings are common in the City of Burlington, as our green spaces and forested areas provide an excellent habitat for them. While most residents in Burlington coexist with coyotes daily with little or no discomfort, it is normal to feel concerns about how wildlife could pose a danger to personal safety and the safety of pets.
While naturally wary of humans, coyotes and other animals will seek food and shelter in residential neighbourhoods when they are being fed on purpose or by accident. The top things residents can do to help to successfully coexist with wildlife in our neighbourhoods include:
Never feed wildlife
Feeding wildlife, on purpose or by accident, teaches animals to depend on human handouts and can cause them to become too familiar with humans. This familiarization can lead to aggressive behaviour around people and dogs.
Hand feeding and ground feeding wildlife on private or public property is prohibited by the City’s Lot Maintenance Bylaw (49-2022) and is subject to a $250 fine.
Never leave pets unattended
Coyotes in particular may see pets as a threat to their territory, especially when there is a den site nearby. Always keep dogs on a short leash (less than six feet long) when walking outdoors. Make sure your cats and dogs are not left alone outside, even in your fenced backyard.
Secure Garbage Bins
Wildlife is often attracted to residential areas by easily accessible food sources. Use wildlife-proof garbage bins to prevent animals from rummaging through garbage to reduce the likelihood of encounters. Alternatively, consider placing garbage out the morning-of pickup day rather than the night before.
Keep a tidy property
Residential neighbourhoods are ideal habitats for wildlife with access to water, shelter and food sources like garbage, pet food, fruit trees and birdfeeders. Make sure your property is tidy and clear of garbage, food, brush, long grass and wood piles which are ideal den sites for coyotes or other wild animals that attract coyotes.
Inspect your property
Make sure spaces around and under decks, sheds and similar structures are closed off with wire screening that extends at least 20 centimetres under the ground. Seal off potential entry points to your home, such as gaps in the foundation or attic spaces.
Consistently haze coyotes
Discouraging coyotes takes vigilance. Ongoing efforts by the entire community to haze coyotes can help to re-instill their fear of humans and stop unwelcome behaviour.
Use one or more of these hazing techniques every time you see a coyote to help move it out of a residential area:
Don’t run.
Pick up small children and pets.
Yell loudly;
Wave your arms and make yourself look as big as possible;
Use air horns, whistles, bang pots;
Throw small rocks, large sticks, cans and/or rubber balls near the coyote;
Spray the coyote with water from a garden hose or a water gun filled with vinegar.
Back away slowly.
Report coyote sightings online at www.burlington.ca/coyote.
Connect with Animal Services
If you experience an issue with wildlife on your property, or notice a lost/unattended pet, it’s best to contact Burlington Animal Services instead of managing the animal yourself. You can contact Service Burlington through the City of Burlington’s customer contact centre via email (city@burlington.ca), by phone (905-335-7777) or in person at 426 Brant Street on the main floor of City Hall.
The City also holds educational meetings to help build the community's awareness of coyotes and teach people how to avoid conflict with them. This Thursday, Animal Services will be at Nelson Pool- 4235 New St between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Details regarding upcoming educational pop-up sessions are available at www.burlington.ca/coyote
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