Discover the Top 6 Smells Attracting Coyotes to Your Yard

1. Meat

Though this is a broad category, it cannot be understated: the smell of meat will attract coyotes. The meat can be raw, cooked, or rotting. So, if you live in areas with a lot of coyote activity, it’s best to avoid outdoor cooking and storage of meat. If you do choose to grill outside, be cautious with the amount of food preparation and thoroughly cleanup afterwards. Grills with animal grease on them can also attract a coyote to your yard, among other animals.

2. Coyote Lures

Coyote lures are made to attract coyotes. They consist of foul smells, often from scent glands or oils of other animals like skunks, beavers, or other coyotes. This scent is useful for hunters when attempting to trap or snare a coyote but beware if you have any of this powerful elixir around. Spilling a jar of coyote lure or improperly sealing it can be like ringing a dinner bell in your yard!

3. Trash

Trash, particularly unsecured cans, usually contain a variety of foods in many different states. Everything from fresh scraps to rotting fruit, vegetables, and meats line these bins. Trash can be heaven to coyotes and is abundant in suburban and urban neighborhoods. While you might not have to worry about a dumpster diving dog in all areas, it’s always a good idea to securely attach your trash can lid. This will prevent all sorts of hungry animals from rooting through it and causing a mess.

Similarly, fruit that has fallen from trees might also be a food source for these animals. Coyotes are most widely thought to be ravenous meat eaters, and while other animals appear to be their main food preference, fruits are not too far down on their list. Disposal of these food sources can help keep coyotes away from your yard. Additionally, keep a close eye on bird feeders. Coyotes might attempt to break them down for an easy seed snack.

4. Lamb, Chickens, and Other Small Animals

Lamb and other game animals, whether alive or dead, can be a very attractive smell to a coyote. If you have a farm or small animals in your yard, the coyotes can likely smell their scent. Additionally, recently buried animals have the potential to attract coyotes, who will dig them up for an easy meal. Coyote-proof your yard and leave little for them to sniff out. This is one of the safest ways to avoid a run-in with these animals.

5. Livers

Although coyotes will eat a variety of items, meat is their preference. The liver is the most nutrient-dense part of an animal and thus is a favorite consumable, especially for coyotes. You might not have a ton of livers hanging around outside, but scents from organ meats can attract coyotes to your location, even after burial. Hunters who clean their harvests at home might have more concern about these scents than other people.

6. Dogs in Heat

Coyotes and domestic dogs are not far from each other genetically. For this reason, dog scents might be extra attractive to coyotes. There have been occasions where coyotes and dogs successfully mate, resulting in “coydogs”. It’s best to make sure all your female pups who spend any amount of time outdoors are spayed. Even though the chances of a coyote impregnating a female domestic dog are slim in urban settings, it’s not impossible.