Triple digits are not the only thing Tucson summers bring.
According the The Arizona Game and Fish Department, the hot, dry weather may bring coyotes into residential neighborhoods, looking for water and food.
As the temperatures rise, coyotes will “be seeking water wherever they can find it. If there is a water source in your backyard and they encounter a cat or a small dog while there, they may take it,” said Raul Vega, Regional Supervisor of Game and Fish in Tucson.
Vega added that water sources can include a pet’s water bowl and swimming pools or bird baths. Food can include pets and birds or rodents attracted to bird feeders, pet food, garbage or fallen fruit.
The heat can also prompt coyotes to seek shelter in places such as storm drains or any cave-like area under a shed or unused building.
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Vega said ignoring a coyote near your home can cause it to lose its natural fear of people, which can lead to aggressive behavior. He said to discourage a coyote, you should make loud noises, throw small stones or cans or spray it with a water hose. If you come across one that refuses to leave, use a commercial repellent like Mace. Homeowners can also call a wildlife control business to have the coyote captured and removed for a fee.
Small pets left unattended outside should be in a secure enclosure with a roof, as coyotes can jump fences. They can be prevented from jumping the fence by installing a length of PVC pipe suspended horizontaly from a wire above the fence.
Coyotes usually do not become a problem if precautions are taken, but they will come back to the same area if attractants are not removed.
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