Coyote-proof your yard

Food — the #1 attractant

Remove the rewards and most coyotes simply move along.

• Store trash in a secured, animal-proof bin with a locking or heavy lid.
• Put trash out the morning of pickup, not the night before.
• Never leave pet food or water bowls outside, especially overnight.
• Pick up fallen fruit, nuts, and seeds regularly.
• Clean up spilled birdseed, or remove feeders — they feed the rodents coyotes hunt.
• Secure compost; don't compost meat, dairy, or food scraps in open piles.
• Clean grease and scraps off outdoor grills.
• Never feed coyotes — and discourage feeding wildlife or unmanaged feral-cat feeding stations nearby.

Pets — keep them safe

• Keep cats indoors, or in a fully enclosed “catio.”
• Supervise small dogs outside, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Never leave pets unattended in the yard.
• Walk dogs on a short, fixed leash (about 6 ft) — not a retractable one.
• Pick up dog waste, which can attract coyotes.

Water

• Remove or cover standing water — pet bowls, fountains, pooling irrigation — especially in dry months.

Shelter & denning access

Coyotes den under structures in spring — close the gaps before pup season.

• Clear brush piles, tall weeds, and dense ground-level cover.
• Block access under decks, sheds, porches, and crawl spaces.
• Keep woodpiles tidy and elevated.

Fencing & barriers

• Make coyote fencing at least 6 feet tall — coyotes clear lower fences.
• Add a coyote roller or angled extender to the top.
• Add a dig barrier (buried mesh or an L-footer) at the bottom — coyotes dig as well as jump.
• Close gaps and keep gates latched.

Deterrents (once attractants are handled)

• Install motion-activated lights and/or sprinklers.
• Haze any coyote that lingers or approaches: stand tall, be loud, wave your arms — and never run.

Community — the real multiplier

• Talk to your neighbors — coyote-proofing works best when the whole block does it.
• Report sightings and incidents (OC Animal Care and Coyote Cacher) so your community can respond.