As development continues to encroach on the remaining open land within Keller, wildlife encounters have become more and more common. Keller residents and visitors are frequently confronted with a variety of wildlife, including raccoons, opossums, skunks, foxes, snakes, armadillos and coyotes.

Tips for alleviating problems with area wildlife

• Eliminate outdoor food and water sources
• Don’t leave pet food out overnight
• Keep the ground clear of birdseed
• Secure trashcans with tight-fitting lids! Trash will attract raccoons, opossums, crows, stray cats and dogs, and all other types of wildlife. Trash and food items also attract rodents into your garage or deck area, and rodents, in turn, will attract snakes, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats.
• Don’t leave your garage door open or cracked at night with pet food on the floor inside.
• Lock pet doors at night
• Keep your yard clean
• Cover or screen around the bottom of decks and sheds
• Do not leave brush piled up for extended periods of time
• Check the condition of your chimney cover, and keep the chimney closed when the fireplace is not in use
• Block or fix damage to the eves or soffits on your home
• Do not allow cats or small dogs to roam freely without you close by

Have ducks in your backyard or pool area during the late spring? They're likely using your home to nest! It is illegal to harm native birds, or disturb relocate or destroy nests or eggs. Find tips to prevent nesting in the first place - and how to handle them once they've set up house - at www.dfwwildlife.org/DuckCourting.html

Coyote Sightings

Coyotes are wild animals, yet they are extremely adaptable and survive well when their wildlife habitat becomes an urban environment. It is very difficult to capture a coyote without means that are dangerous to humans, pets and wildlife in the area. The best wildlife management practice is to remove food sources and know what to do if you encounter a coyote.

What to Do If You See a Coyote:

• For attacks or any aggressive animal sighting, call 911 immediately
• Abnormal behavior or signs of illness in coyotes should be reported to Regional Animal Services. Some abnormal behaviors and signs include acting confused, limping, or staggering with paralyzed back legs
• If you encounter a coyote, make a loud noise, yell and wave your arms to scare them off. This action called “hazing” will help instill the fear of humans back and break bad coyote behaviors
• Keep making loud noises and increasing the intensity of your efforts
• Take a whistle or tennis ball with you when walking in your neighborhood. These are helpful tools to use to scare off a coyote

Common Coyote Reponses:

• Being startled and running off
• Freezing and staring at the person
• Running/Walking off a short distance, stopping, then looking back. Coyotes are curious by nature Keep being loud to scare them off

Take Proactive Coyote Deterrent Measures:

• Make backyards less inviting by cutting back brush, removing brush piles, and sealing off crawl spaces under homes and buildings. This limits both potential shelter and the rodent population that makes up 30 percent of a coyote's diet.
• Remove all possible food sources including garbage, compost, pet food, fruit, grill drippings, and other artificial food sources that supplement the coyotes' natural diet of rodents, rabbits, snakes, insects, berries, and dead animals.
• Never feed a coyote
• Keep your pet on a leash at all times
• Keep all small dogs, cats and other pets inside or under close supervision. They may be easy prey for coyotes.
• Fences can keep coyotes out if they are at least six feet tall and have rollers on the top to prevent the coyote from climbing and jumping
• There are no commercial odors or sprays that deter coyotes. The human scent provides the best scent-related defense.

For more information about coyotes, call the DFW Wildlife Hotline (972-234-9453) to speak with trained volunteers or visit www.dfwwildlife.org/coyote.html