It’s Coyote Denning Season – 5 Things Burlington Residents Can do to Deter Coyotes
*Please see below a news release issued by the City of Burlington.
Burlington, Ont. — March 3, 2022 — The City of Burlington is reminding residents about steps they can take to help reduce the risk of potential coyote conflicts during their denning season.Denning season is the time of year when coyotes’ pups are born. Shortly before a coyote gives birth, between April and May, the coyote will begin digging a den which they will use to raise their pups.While naturally wary of humans, coyotes will seek food and shelter in residential neighbourhoods when the opportunity arises. The Top 5 things residents can do to help deter coyotes include:
- Never feed coyotes
Feeding coyotes, directly or indirectly, teaches them 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.
- Never leave pets unattended
Coyotes may see pets as a threat to their territory and may attack, especially when there is a den site nearby. Always keep dogs on a short leash (less than six feet long) when walking outdoors and avoid retractable leashes. Make sure your cats and dogs are not unattended, especially at night, even in your fenced backyard.
- Keep a tidy property
Residential neighbourhoods are an ideal coyote habitat with access to water, shelter and food sources like garbage, pet food, fruit tress 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.
- Consistently haze coyotes
Deterring coyotes takes vigilance. Consistent efforts by the entire community to haze coyotes can help to re-instill their fear of humans and discourage 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:
- 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 at the coyote
- Spray the coyote with water from a garden hose or a water gun filled with vinegar.
If a coyote approaches, residents are reminded to:
- Stop. Don’t run.
- Pick up small children and pets
- Stand as tall as you can
- Make noise, be as loud as you can, shout “go away”
- Wave your arms and stomp your feet
- Use hazing techniques
- Back away slowly
- Report coyote sightings online at www.burlington.ca/coyote
- Call Burlington’s Animal Services at 905-335-3030 if you see an aggressive, sick or injured coyote
- Call 9-1-1- if a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety.
"With spring around the corner, now is a good time to remind residents about the things we can all do to help prevent potential coyote conflicts. Research and past experiences have shown the most significant thing we can do to reduce direct interaction with coyotes is to remove coyote attractants such as food – this includes direct feeding, such as leaving food outdoors for coyotes, and indirect feeding, like leaving garbage out at the curb overnight or rotting fruit on the ground from fruit trees." -- Kerry Davren, Acting-Manager of Bylaw Enforcement, Licensing & Animal Services, City of Burlington
Quick Facts:
- Coyotes are native to North America and can be found living in urban and rural areas.
- Food sources like mice, rats, and garbage are readily available in urban areas, attracting coyotes to residential neighbourhoods.
- In 2015, Burlington City Council approved a Coyote Response Strategy that provides guidelines on preventing and managing conflicts with coyotes.
- Concerns about direct or indirect feeding of wildlife can be reported to Animal Control at animalshelter.mailbox@burlington.ca
- Hand feeding and ground feeding wildlife on private or public property is prohibited by the city’s Lot Maintenance Bylaw (59-2018) and is subject to a $300 fine.
- To request an audit of your yard for coyote attractants by city Animal Control staff, please email animalshelter.mailbox@burlington.ca
Links and Resources:
- Learn more about living with coyotes at www.burlington.ca/coyote
- Report a coyote sighting online at www.burlington.ca/coyote
- Watch a video about how to wildlife proof your property
--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist