Description of the Pest
Coyotes are brownish gray in color and weigh about 20 to 45 pounds. They have adapted to a wide variety of habitats, including suburbs of many cities.
Coyotes do feed on some common vertebrate pests, including rodents and rabbits.
Damage
Primary damage to crops is caused when they chew on flexible irrigation lines and when they enlarge the burrows of other animals, such as ground squirrels. Occasionally, coyotes will feed on fruit of some crops including grapes, melons, and stone fruit.
Management
If coyotes are causing damage, they can be shot or trapped using specific snares and traps. They are classified as a nongame animal, so no permit is required.
Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
Shooting and Trapping
It is good advice to alert your local California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) office if you decide to use shooting or trapping, especially if you have neighbors in close proximity. In some counties, the agricultural commissioner has trappers who can assist with the trapping. All traps must be tagged with a trap identification number from CDFW.
Fumigants
In some instances coyote dens may be fumigated, but this may only be done by U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Service staff.