Coyote Control

Animal Advocates provides humane coyote control consultations and trapping. If a coyote is ill, injured or orphaned, we will trap the animal and take it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility. We do not trap healthy nuisance wildlife unless we can release it on site, e.g. a raccoon is trapped in your house and you will allow us to release it into your yard. If a coyote tries to bite or attack you, it may be ill or injured. Contact the California Department of Fish & Game or your local animal control. You can also contact us directly at 323 651 1336 or mmmaryinla@aol.com for quicker service.

Trapping and killing is not an effective means of controlling wildlife. Only deterrence is effective, proper fencing being 100% effective. It's also cheaper and easier for you. Below is some information on coyotes and ways you can deter them. Contact us if you would like an in person consultation at your property or you need one trapped in Los Angeles, California. We are licensed with the California Department of Fish & Game to trap and rehabilitate wildlife in California.

Click here to read a great article with research by Fish & Game Departments about why killing them does not work.  http://www.animaladvocates.us/killingcoyotes.htm 

COYOTE (canis latrans)


The coyote in Los Angeles, California weighs 20-30 pounds and stands 23 to 26 inches at the shoulder. In appearance, the coyote looks similar to a smaller tan colored shepherd-type dog with long pointed muzzle, large ears and long legs. They have a bushy tail.

The coyote is an extremely intelligent predator than has adapted to living in close proximity to humans. Coyotes, whose natural habitat is the Los Angeles basin, have adjusted to the shrinking habitat by living closer to humans, sometimes in residential areas, parks and on the landscaped areas of the freeway system. Coyote numbers have increased because we are directly and indirectly providing them with sufficient food, water and shelter.

Coyotes use the flood control channels, freeways, hillside erosion gutters, city streets and sidewalks as a convenient means of travel. They find an abundant source of water from swimming pools, gutters, leaking hose faucets and sprinkler heads, bird baths and pet water dishes in residential areas.

Although the coyote is an excellent hunter, feeding primarily on rats, mice, ground squirrels, rabbits, insects, carrion and fruit, it will not hesitate to kill cats, small dogs, poultry, sheep or goats given the opportunity. They learn that domestic animals are easier to catch than wild prey and will prowl neighborhoods in search of unattended domestic animals. 

Coyotes breed once per year around February to March. They have pups around April to May. They stay with their pups until the fall. They average 2-7 pups per litter. If there is abundant food, water and shelter, they will have more pups. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY, PETS, POULTRY AND LIVESTOCK

Coyotes are capable of scaling fences up to six feet high. They will also dig under fences. They can be deterred by increasing the height of fencing to a total of at least eight feet and facing it outward at an 45 degree angle. Bury the bottom of the fence at least six to twelve inches underground to prevent the coyote from digging underneath. There is also a rolling bar that can be placed on the top of an existing fence which will keep them from coming in http://www.coyoteroller.com A covered enclosure set up with a pet door will permit your pet to go safely outdoors. 

Chickens, rabbits and other small animals often kept outdoors should be kept in well protected areas and in sturdy cages at night. Cages made of chicken wire will not keep desperate coyotes or other predators from entering. Stronger gauge wiring is a necessity in protecting these small animals. 

If you follow the below guidelines, you will not only keep coyotes away but also other wildlife, stray dogs, feral cats and robbers.

DO:

*Keep your cat or small dog indoors. You wouldn't leave a pile of money sitting out on the street. Don't leave your pet out there either in coyote territory. Coyotes are actually the least of your pets worries. Your pet can be killed by cars, dogs, cats, kids, poison...
*Accompany your small dog on a leash in a well lighted area at night for walks. It's best to walk small dogs on a leash in the day time.
*Walk your dog on a leash whenever you take it off your property.
*Confine poultry and rabbits in covered enclosures with heavy mesh wire. Coyotes can break through chicken wire.
*Pick backyard fruit as soon as it ripens and keep rotten fruit off the ground.
*Fence your property with tall solid fences buried under the ground with "Coyote Roller" on top, or angled with barbed wire.
(If you have fence height limitations where you live, you can get a free variance for a higher fence if you need one for your "personal safety." Protecting your family and pets from coyotes would be a matter of personal safety. They cannot charge a variance application fee. Call your HOA association or Building and Safety for instructions on applying for a fence height variance. Email me if you need help in Los Angeles, California mmmaryinla@aol.com )
*Block all entrances to the crawl space under your house so they can't den.
*Clear brush from your property so they can't den.
*Carry an air horn while walking alone to scare away coyotes. Try to scare coyotes every time you see them so they will retain their natural fear of mankind.


DON'TS:

*Don't feed wild animals. It's illegal to feed predatory animals in the city of Los Angeles. If you feed birds, they will attract raccoons who will attract coyotes who will attract mountain lions. Best not to feed anyone.
*Don't leave pet food outside, particularly at night
*Don't leave your compost bin accessible
*Don't leave grill drippings.
*Don't allow pets to roam from home, especially at night
*Don't leave water bowls for pets outdoors
*Don't leave garbage containers open
*Don't leave water in birdbaths or bird seed outdoors for songbirds.
*Don't shoot them. They are generally only visible at night. If you try to shoot one, you will probably shoot your neighbor or dog instead. It's also illegal to shoot a firearm in most cities, counties or near homes.
*Don't poison them. It's illegal and you will end up poisoning your cat, dog, kids besides attracting mountain lions, insects and disease. It's not even effective.
*Don't trap them. They rarely get in a trap. It's expensive to trap them. It's never effective. They roam 100 miles so unless you're willing to drive across the country, it will rarely keep that one coyote away. It will just cause two more coyotes to come and fight for the vacated territory. It's also illegal to relocate them.
*Don't let your dogs play with them. They are territorial. They won't eat a bigger dog but will fight it for territory. Coyotes can also impregnate some dog breeds. Coyote/dog pups are considered coyotes and must be killed.
*Don't use scarecrows, bright lights, loud noises or mountain lion urine. They are not effective long term and a waste of money. Contact us below for more help or call (323) 651 1336

 

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Mary@AnimalAdvocates.us