Yard Attractant Audit

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).

Reviewed by the editorial desk against the cited sources. The desk holds no wildlife-biology, veterinary or medical credential; see our editorial policy. Checked on 2026-11-14.

This audit helps you find what in your yard could feed, water or shelter wildlife. It belongs to our free coyote safety tools and supports the yard and home management guide.

How to use it

1. Walk the yard in daylight with this list and a pen. Include the front, back and side yards, the garage, patio and any shed.
2. Mark each item Yes, No or Not sure.
3. Fix the “Yes” items starting with food and garbage.
4. Share the list with neighbors: AZGFD and Extension both say wildlife attracted to one home often visit adjoining lots.

Never feed, bait, trap or harm a coyote. Do not use this audit to justify any action against wildlife; ask AZGFD what is lawful.

Printable checklist

Each line is a question. A “Yes” means an item to fix.

Food and garbage (AZGFD, Extension)

• Is edible garbage reachable by wildlife? Store garbage securely.
• Do garbage cans sit out overnight before collection? AZGFD advises putting cans out on the morning of collection and securing them as soon as possible.
• Is pet food or leftover pet food left outdoors? Feed pets indoors or remove leftovers immediately.
• Is bird seed on the ground or reachable by other wildlife? Keep seed off the ground and attach a platform to catch spilled seed.
• Is anyone intentionally feeding wildlife (other than birds and tree squirrels)? That is a petty offense in Pima County; see the rules below.

Water

• Is there standing water or an outdoor water bowl that wildlife can reach? AZGFD says water for wildlife is legal but excess water may bring in unwanted wildlife.

Cover and openings

• Are shrubs touching the ground near the house? Extension advises trimming shrubs up from the ground, noting that this also removes cover for species you may want to see.
• Are there openings under buildings or mobile homes? Securely close them, especially in spring when animals look for den sites.

Pets and animals

• Are pets left outside unsupervised or allowed to roam? Extension advises supervising pets outdoors and keeping them on a leash whenever out of the yard.
• Do poultry or rabbit enclosures lack a roof or double walls? Extension advises roofing outdoor fowl and rabbit enclosures and installing double walls.

Fencing

• Is a vegetable garden or yard unfenced? AZGFD advises fencing as a physical barrier; poultry wire laid horizontally and buried just below the soil surface can prevent some wildlife from digging. Extension notes even tall fences will not keep out all predators.

Neighbors

• Have you shared this list with the neighbors on both sides?

Reading your result

There is no agency scoring system, so we do not invent one. Count your “Yes” and “Not sure” items, fix the food and garbage items first, and repeat the walk after a month. If coyotes are still visiting, contact AZGFD; see Pima County animal control and wildlife calls.

The rules, checked 2026-11-14

ARS 13-2927 (unlawful feeding of wildlife) applies in counties of more than 280,000 people and is a petty offense; birds and tree squirrels are excepted. AZGFD’s brochure says the fine can be up to $300. Read the statute and confirm with AZGFD.

Related

• Coyote FAQ
• Protect pets and children from coyotes
• Safe responses to a nearby coyote