Coyotes in Florida: A New Hairy Nuisance

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Seminole County, known for its bear encounters, now has a new hairy nuisance: coyotes. These adaptable animals have made their way into residential neighborhoods, raising concerns among residents. Coyotes are known for their opportunistic feeding habits, preying on small animals and sometimes attacking pets. Their presence has prompted authorities to issue warnings and advise residents to take precautions to protect their pets and property.

Coyotes in Florida: Causes, Risks, and Solutions

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Coyotes being spotted all over Orange County

Coyotes are a common sight in Florida, and their population has been on the rise in recent years. This has led to an increase in coyote sightings in residential areas, and with that, an increase in nuisance behavior.

Why Coyotes Are Moving into Residential Areas

There are a few reasons why coyotes are moving into residential areas. One reason is the availability of food. Coyotes are opportunistic feeders, and they will eat anything from small mammals to fruits and vegetables. They are also attracted to pet food and garbage.

Another reason why coyotes are moving into residential areas is the loss of their natural habitat. As Florida continues to grow, more and more land is being developed. This is reducing the amount of space available for coyotes to live and hunt.

Risks Associated with Coyotes in Residential Areas

Coyotes can cause a variety of nuisance behaviors, including:

* Knocking over trash cans

* Raiding bird feeders

* Leaving dead animal carcasses in yards

* Attacking small pets

* Raiding backyard chicken coops

* Following humans on their nighttime walks

Solutions to Keep Coyotes Away from Homes

There are a few things you can do to keep coyotes away from your home:

* Secure your garbage cans. Coyotes can easily knock over trash cans, so make sure to keep them securely closed.

* Don’t leave pet food or water outside. Coyotes are attracted to pet food and water, so don’t leave it outside overnight.

* Keep your yard clean. Coyotes are more likely to be attracted to yards that are cluttered with debris.

* Remove any sources of water from your yard. Coyotes need water to survive, so remove any sources of water from your yard, such as birdbaths or fountains.

* Make noise. Coyotes are timid animals, so making noise can help to scare them away. You can do this by banging pots and pans, shouting, or playing loud music.

* Use a coyote deterrent. There are a variety of coyote deterrents available on the market, such as motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic devices.

What to Do If You See a Coyote

If you see a coyote, the best thing to do is to stay calm and back away slowly. Don’t run, as this could trigger the coyote’s prey drive. If the coyote follows you, make yourself as big as possible and wave your arms. You can also shout or make noise.

Conclusion

Coyotes are a part of Florida’s natural ecosystem, and they play an important role in keeping the population of small mammals in check. However, coyotes can also be a nuisance to humans. By taking steps to keep coyotes away from your home, you can help to reduce the risk of problems..

FAQ’s

1. Why are coyotes moving into residential areas?

Coyotes are moving into residential areas due to the availability of food, such as pet food and garbage, and the loss of their natural habitat as a result of Florida’s growing development.

2. What kind of nuisance behavior can coyotes cause?

Coyotes can engage in nuisance behavior such as knocking over trash cans, raiding bird feeders, leaving dead animal carcasses in yards, attacking small pets, raiding backyard chicken coops, and following humans on their nighttime walks.

3. How can I keep coyotes away from my home?

To keep coyotes away from your home, you can secure your garbage cans, avoid leaving pet food or water outside, keep your yard clean, remove sources of water from your yard, make noise, and use coyote deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic devices.

4. What should I do if I see a coyote?

If you see a coyote, stay calm and back away slowly. Avoid running, as this could trigger the coyote’s prey drive. If the coyote follows you, make yourself as big as possible, wave your arms, shout, or make noise.

5. What role do coyotes play in the Florida ecosystem?

Coyotes are a part of Florida’s natural ecosystem and play an important role in keeping the population of small mammals in check.

Links to additional Resources:

https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/coyotes/ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/coyotes https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Coyote.