Here’s why you might be seeing more Coyotes — and rats — this spring in Hamilton

If you're considering planting a garden to pass the time and beat the pandemic lines, you may just be welcoming some unwanted visitors to a backyard buffet" this spring.

Food scraps, fresh veggies, soil and compost are every neighbourhood rat's dream, according to Jane Murrell with Hamilton Public Health. They'll be well fed, watered and can likely find a place to sleep nearby.

It's a constant source," said Murrell. It is definitely a catch-22."

Getting the rat problem under control isn't a tough fix, said Murrell. Residents can hire pest control, ensure their yards are tidy and even put up fencing to keep little teeth from gnawing at their crops.

Left unkempt, Murrell said Hamiltonians may welcome other animals into their yards - coyotes. They won't be necessarily joining in on the same delicacies as rats, but rather make a meal out of them, she added.

They will feed on rats," said Murrell. If you have an area that is highly infested, you could see coyote activity increase."

But, a COVID-19-inspired garden is not the only reason for a potential increase in rat and coyote sightings this spring, she added.

Denning season

Murrell said every spring, there is a slight" increase in coyote sightings as mothers leave their den behind in search of food, a top priority" for nursing pups.

With less people out and about in green spaces due to physical-distancing measures, they may venture even further for food, she added.

So, she will be a little more aggressive and a little more bold," said Murrell.

Lesley Sampson, founding executive director of Coyote Watch Canada, said these new sightings may not mean more coyotes are out and about. But with more people homebound, she said they may just be seeing a family that has gone unnoticed.

They're very well adapted, in spite of what we do," said Sampson.

By the end of May, both Sampson and Murrell said sightings will likely increase further, with pups leaving the den as their parents slowly wean them.

When that does happen, they reiterated the importance of residents keeping their dogs on-leash on trails, in large spaces, as well as the backyard as spring goes on. Leashes will also help coyotes and other wildlife adjust" to people coming back into the spaces as the weather warms up, said Sampson.

A coyote won't go after a human, but a small dog could be food for a hungry family, said Sampson. So far this year, Murrell said public health officials have received two reports of interactions with coyotes.

Rodent proofing

Murrell said if residents are noticing coyotes in their neighbourhood and have a compounding rodent problem, they should take precautions to proofing" their yards.

This could include cleaning up a wood pile and installing bait boxes. But that may not work with a plentiful supply of food still at their tiny claw tips, she added.

As long as someone is providing the food, water and habitat, they'll take up residency," said Murrell.

Murrell said rats may have moved on from restaurants operating at a takeout capacity, but due to the pandemic, they may never know. She said officials have received only 27 complaints this year - a number likely impacted by the state of emergency declared on March 17.

Rodents may also be hanging around restaurants that are completely closed, but still have dry goods inside or a dumpster that wasn't emptied, she added.

There could be rodents that have infiltrated the facility and taken up residence," said Murrell.

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com