A neighbor has recently spotted a bobcat in their backyard. Here are a few suggestions to make your property less attractive to wildlife. Practice these guidelines and encourage your neighbors to do the same:
- Don’t feed wildlife. Feeding wildlife will make them become dependent and less wary of humans. Keep wild things wild!
- Don’t approach or try to pet any wildlife. This may provoke them.
- Feed pets indoors. Outdoor feeding attracts many wild animals.
- Please secure your garbage. Coyotes and Bobcats, like dogs and raccoons, will knock over trash cans or tear open trash bags.
- Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds. Coyotes use such areas for resting and raising young.
- Secure your pets. Coyotes and Bobcats view pets as potential food. Pets should not be left outdoors unattended.
- Rabbit hutches should have a solid bottom. Chicken coops should be constructed with the wire buried at least one foot underground around the perimeter of the coop. Do not use chicken wire, a strong gauge wire is necessary for protecting small animals.
- Pick fruit off trees as soon as it’s ripe and keep rotten fruit off the ground.
- Trim and clear near ground level any shrubbery that provides cover for wildlife or prey.
- Actively discourage wildlife with loud noises, flashing lights, recorded human voices such as radio talk shows, and ammonia-soaked rags.
- Trapping and relocating wildlife is inhumane and illegal and not a viable alternative.
- Educate your neighbors. Pass this information along since your efforts will be futile if your neighbors are providing food and shelter for coyotes.