Harmony & Wildlife

Here are some steps you can take to reduce the chance of human-coyote conflicts, conflicts with other dogs and dangers; the same general precautions also apply to Birds-of-Prey and Rattlesnakes:

The garden is a Certified National Wildlife Federation sanctuary. 

Just a few simple tips! Find ways to not kill or use chemicals in your garden, nor in your home!

For bugs and fleas:

1) For bugs, use Castile soap or wildlife approved Dawn soap, just a few tablespoons in a gallon of water and spray around home, don’t touch the flowers and try not to spray on the bugs, let it dry, it will repeal them.

2) For fleas, inside your home, use a hot steamer and vacuum. Can use baking soda and Castile soap with a little teaspoon of epson salt in a gallon of water, let dry while keeping pets away, then vacuum.

3) If you just can’t wash it, like some pillows, steam it, throw it in the dryer on hot heat! Wash all bedding and any fabrics, carpets, clothing, etc. on heat in washer and/or dryer.

For rodents and wildlife critters:

1) For gophers and such, try to co-exist, we are neighbors after all! If you must, use ammonia, a few teaspoons poke into a hole on top of their mounds in your yard, they will not want to be there and move on, no killing involved.

2) For mice and rats, and other cuties such as opossums and squirrels, install one way doors on your home, find exclusion openings and seal them, even a quarter sized space they can start to get through. Do live trap and release nearby within 50 feet if necessary, no killing involved.

Don’t be afraid, all animals exist for their own reasons and have a right to life. They are beneficial to our ecosystem, for example, opossums eat the ticks in your yard to help your doggies thrive. Learn to appreciate them and co-exist. Animals are our friends. Blessings.

1) Walk your dog on a leash and accompany your pet outside; dusk, night and morning coyotes are most active, but are out during day as well. Do not allow pets to run free at anytime, even day! Coyotes are out all times of day and night. Do not lose sight of any and all dogs or cats, coyotes, rattlesnakes, and birds-of-prey will appear from nowhere to swiftly grab your dog or cat, large dogs will be lured into a pack and killed; coyotes are hardly ever seen, and are nicknamed ‘tricksters’.

2) Remind yourself there is a ‘leash law’ to protect you and your pets from other dogs, coyotes, birds-of-prey, rattlesnakes, strangers, poisonous edibles, and cars; dogs have an instinct that overrides any loyalty or training, they can dart unexpectedly and be hit by cars, or attacked by other dogs; be cautious of coyotes, birds-of-prey and cars when freely roaming streets so always use a leash, it’s the law!

3) Keep small pets such as cats, rabbits, and small dogs indoors, especially at night, but coyotes are active and hunt during the day, they are easy, favored prey. Coyotes have been known to be responsible for a large number of cat and dog disappearances in a single residential neighborhood. They have been known to attack dogs on leashes as well, always be aware of your surroundings. Invest in a dog and cat kennel, it will be your best investment ever! Not only does it help with behavioral issues, kennels save not only your pets life but other wildlife.

4) Fencing should be at least 6-8 feet high with the bottom extending 6 inches below ground level for best results, try adding roller bars to the tops, adding rattlesnake mesh or concrete 2-3 feet above and below fencing in the ground to prevent rattlesnakes from coming into your yard or preventing coyotes from digging and getting under fencing; coyotes climb fences swiftly to attack dogs and cats left outside, and will climb fences 8 feet high, so do not leave pets outside even in yards, always supervise they do not interact with wildlife!

5) Bird feeders should be positioned so that coyotes can’t get the feed. Coyotes are attracted by bread, table scraps, fruit and even seed. They may also be attracted by birds and rodents that come to the feeders and fruit trees; eliminate sources of water, particularly in dry climates. Secure trash cans. Watch for snakes around steps, pots, creviced walkways, hillsides. Feed pets indoors.