Coyote Pest Notes: Summary and Sources

This is general information, not veterinary, medical or legal advice. For an injured or aggressive animal, a bite, a pet attack or a suspected rabies exposure, call your doctor, your vet, local animal control, or the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD).

The University of California’s UC IPM program publishes a Pest Notes document on coyotes. This page explains what it covers and links to it so you can read the original. We credit the authors and do not copy their text. For where to turn locally, see who to call and our resource links.

What the publication is

Coyote (UC IPM Pest Notes, UC ANR Publication 74135) comes from the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources division. Its authors are R.M. Timm, R.O. Baker, S.F. Beckerman and C.C. Coolahan. The page says it was last updated in March 2007.

What it covers

• In Brief and Introduction
• Identification and Biology, including space use, food habits, behavior around humans and recognizing problem behavior
• Identifying Coyote Damage, such as tracks, hair, droppings, tooth marks and prey remains
• Predator Damage Management, Past and Present: legal status, exclusion, hazing, habitat management, pet management, responding to aggression and removal
• References and Resources

Main themes, in our words

• Exclusion. Fencing design and sealing crawl spaces.
• Habitat changes. Trimming vegetation and managing fruit, compost, water sources and bird feed.
• Hazing. Scaring coyotes away to keep them wary of people; the publication notes its long-term effect is limited.
• Pets and food. Securing garbage, pet food and pets, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Professional removal. Used when other methods fail, typically through licensed wildlife specialists. CoyoteBytes does not give removal instructions.

Limits of this source

This is a California publication from 2007. Arizona rules, local conditions and newer guidance may differ. Wildlife rules in Arizona are set by AZGFD, so confirm with AZGFD before acting on anything beyond securing food, trash and pets. Related reading: the yard and home guide, log what you saw, Start Here, press.

If someone is bitten

The CDC says to wash the wound right away with soap and water and to get medical care urgently if you may have been exposed to rabies. Call your doctor and local animal control. If a pet had contact with a wild animal, call your vet and local animal control. Pima County’s 2021 notice lists Pima County Animal Protection at (520) 724-5900, press option 4, for a pet that has had contact with wildlife; confirm the number before calling.

Sources

1. UC IPM Pest Notes: Coyote (UC ANR Publication 74135)
2. CDC: About Rabies

Reviewed by the editorial desk against the cited sources. The desk holds no wildlife-biology, veterinary or medical credential. See the editorial policy.