Facts about coyotes and coyote removal
Coyotes are medium-sized members of the dog family, resembling smaller wolves or large foxes. They typically weigh between 20 to 50 pounds, with a body length including the tail ranging from 3.3 to 4.3 feet. Coyotes have a gestation period of about 60 to 63 days, breeding once annually during the late winter months. Litters can vary in size from 3 to 12 pups, depending on environmental conditions. Both parents are involved in raising the young, which are weaned around 5 to 7 weeks of age.
Coyotes are opportunistic feeders with a diet that includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and even large insects. In urban environments, their diet can include human-generated food waste and small pets. Coyotes typically hunt alone or in pairs, but can also hunt in small groups when targeting larger prey like deer. Coyotes are known for their intelligence and complex social behavior. They can live solitarily, in pairs, or in larger family groups known as packs. Packs are usually formed by a dominant breeding pair and their offspring from the current and previous years. Coyotes have adapted well to urban and suburban environments, leading to increased interactions with humans. While generally not a threat to humans, they can attack pets and sometimes approach human dwellings in search of food.
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Coyote Removal
Types of Traps
Foothold Traps: These are the most commonly used traps for coyotes. They should have smooth jaws and be strong enough to hold a coyote without causing injury. The Duke Pro Series 550 OS trap is a recommended model due to its heavy cast steel jaws and robust construction, ensuring durability and effectiveness.
Snares: These are cable traps suitable for use where foothold traps are not appropriate. You must set them in accordance with local regulations, which often dictate their placement and specifications to ensure humane trapping.
Specialty traps: KB Compound 5.5 Laminated, Sterling MJ 600, BMI K9 Wolfer, JC Conner Coyote Jake Trap. Elite traps for coyote removal, known for their high quality and effectiveness, describe these, though they may be more difficult to find and more expensive.
Trap Types Not Recommended
Conibear traps: Experts do not recommend using Conibear Traps for coyotes because these intelligent animals often manage to evade them. Additionally, there’s a significant risk these traps might inadvertently capture non-target species, posing a threat to local wildlife.
Cage or Box Traps: Coyotes usually do not enter these types of traps, making them ineffective for coyote trapping.
Strategic Placement of Traps
Successful coyote trapping involves strategic placement of traps. Coyotes are known for their intelligence and wariness, making the location of the trap crucial. You should place traps in areas with visible signs of coyote activity such as tracks, scat, or near their travel routes. Transition areas between different types of terrain, such as fields to woods or ditches to fields, are ideal locations. These areas are often used by coyotes as they travel or hunt.
Types of Sets
effective coyote removal sets
The dirt hole set A popular and effective method for trapping coyotes. This involves digging a hole that mimics the burrow of small prey and placing bait inside to attract the coyote. The trap is concealed nearby, usually covered with dirt to blend in with the surrounding area. This method leverages the coyote’s curiosity and its natural instinct to investigate potential food sources.
Flat Set
Similar to the dirt hole set but without a hole. An object like cow chips or rotten wood is used as a lure, placed on the ground with the trap camouflaged nearby. This set is less conspicuous than the dirt hole set and can be effective in areas where digging is not feasible or visible.
Scent Post Set
This set utilizes the coyote’s attraction to its own scent. The maintenance team erects a post and applies coyote urine to it. Then, they place a trap nearby, skillfully camouflaging it with the surrounding environment. This strategy aims to capture the coyote as it approaches, intrigued by the scent.
Cubby Set
To construct the cubby set with natural materials like logs or rocks, first. Next, place bait and lure inside to attract the coyote, setting the trap at the entrance. Additionally, this set is versatile and can adapt to different environments.
Buried Skunk Set
A specialty set buries a skunk with only its tail exposed near a known coyote travel route. The trapper sets a trap on a knoll overlooking the buried skunk, capitalizing on the strong odor to attract coyotes.
These sets are designed to exploit specific behaviors and travel patterns of coyotes, making them effective tools in wildlife management and trapping practices. Each set type has its particular use, depending on the terrain, the behavior of the local coyote population, and the trapper’s objectives.
Bait and Lures
Experts recommend using a high-quality lure for effective coyote removal. This ensures a better chance of attracting and capturing the coyotes efficiently.
Coyotes are opportunistic feeders, and effective baits can include meats and commercially prepared baits that emit strong odors. Beaver-based baits are particularly effective due to their strong smell. Lures and scents, such as coyote urine or gland lures, can also attract coyotes to the traps.
Experts also recommend commercial baits that contain some type of meat along with other scents and attractants, especially for those who lack the time to experiment with different baits or need only small quantities of bait. You should choose a bait from a reputable lure maker with a successful nationwide track record.
Additionally, the use of gland lures, urine, and other attractants can enhance the effectiveness of the bait by appealing to the coyote’s sense of smell and territorial instincts.
It’s important to be aware of and comply with local wildlife regulations regarding trapping. This includes trap type restrictions, checking intervals, and tagging requirements. In Kansas, for example, the law mandates that every user must tag their trapping devices with their name and address. Additionally, the regulations specify that certain types of traps are permissible only in designated settings.
Ranchers
Coyotes are responsible for a significant number of livestock losses. They primarily prey on sheep, goats, and calves. The financial impact of coyote predation on livestock is considerable. In the United States, livestock producers lose in excess of $115 million annually to coyotes. Predation by coyotes on livestock is more severe during spring and summer when coyotes are raising pups.
Livestock predation: Coyotes actively prey on livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle, leading to significant economic losses for farmers and ranchers. These animals, essential for the agricultural economy, often fall victim to coyotes, especially in regions where their natural habitats intersect with farming lands. This situation forces farmers and ranchers to invest in preventive measures, such as securing their livestock enclosures and employing guard animals, to mitigate the impact of coyote predation on their livelihoods. For example, coyotes accounted for 54.3% of predator-caused sheep deaths and 63.7% of lamb deaths.
If you notice coyote presence and a decrease in your herd, contact us immediately for our coyote removal service.
Urban Area
However, coyotes that become accustomed to human presence may lose their natural fear, leading to more bold and potentially dangerous encounters.
coyote and pets
A study found that 21% of 219 coyote scats contained cat remains, indicating that cats can be a significant part of some urban coyotes’ diets. A study in Arizona found that cats constituted 42% of the diet of one pack of coyotes. Coyote attacks on humans and pets are more common in areas with higher rates of development and less forest cover.
Furthermore, observers have noticed that coyotes attacking small dogs frequently employ predatory strategies such as ambushing their prey and utilizing a bite-and-shake technique to subdue them. These tactics highlight the adaptability and skill of coyotes in hunting. Effectively using surprise attacks to catch their targets off guard, followed by the bite-shake method to ensure a successful capture, coyotes demonstrate their natural instincts in seeking prey. This behavior underscores their role as opportunistic predators in their ecosystems. Additionally, these attacks can occur both during the day and at night, although they are more common at night. While not every coyote will attack a dog, the behavior is not uncommon, especially in areas where human and coyote habitats overlap. Coyotes may perceive small dogs as prey or threats to their territory, particularly during the breeding season when they are more protective of their pups.
Human activities can inadvertently increase the risk of coyote attacks on pets. For example, leaving food or garbage out can attract coyotes to residential areas. Studies and observations, including those from social media and wildlife research, confirm that coyote attacks on small dogs are a significant concern in many regions, particularly where urban development encroaches on natural coyote habitats.
Disease Transmission
Disease Transmission: Coyotes can carry diseases transmissible to humans and domestic animals, such as rabies, distemper, and parasites like mange, heartworm, and tapeworms.
Rabies: Additionally, this viral infection stands as one of the most feared diseases coyotes transmit. Moreover, bites and scratches usually pass it, with the saliva of infected animals carrying the virus.
Canine Distemper: This is a viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems of dogs and other wild canids.
Zoonotic Disease Risk: Moreover, the presence of coyotes in urban areas can increase the risk of human exposure to zoonotic diseases through contact with coyote feces or contaminated environments.
Aggressive Behavior: While coyote attacks on humans are rare, they can occur, especially if the coyote is sick, habituated to human presence, or if a person inadvertently comes between a coyote and its prey or young.
Mange: Coyote mange is a severe and debilitating condition primarily caused by the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrows into the skin causing intense itching, hair loss, and secondary infections. This condition is highly contagious among coyotes and can spread to other animals and humans, causing similar symptoms.
This coyote has mange and passes it along to the pack.
Always ensure to check local and state regulations before you attempt to trap and relocate. In many areas, you will need permits to engage in these activities. Should the removal of coyotes prove too challenging, you should contact a wildlife removal company for assistance.
Vanishing Varmints prides itself on assisting our customers to the fullest extent of our capabilities. Our team holds valid licenses and has undergone thorough training to address every situation effectively.