How to Keep Bobcats Away From Your Home
They don’t attack humans, but that doesn’t mean they’re welcome on your property
Bobcats are a type of big cat (also known as a red lynx) native to North America that can be found in nearly every state. Seeing, hearing, or finding evidence of a bobcat around your property is not unheard of. The good news is that once you learn how to keep bobcats away from your home, you can use the same methods to ward off other predatory creatures like wolves and coyotes.
Luckily, bobcats don’t attack humans and aren’t aggressive to people. But they prey on small animals like mice, chickens, and rabbits and could go after your pets or farm animals. So, to be on the safe side, let’s dig into some natural, proven methods for how to keep bobcats away.
1. Remove Potential Hiding Spots
Keeping a clean property is one of the most natural and simplest deterrents for bobcats and many other kinds of predators. It’s easier for a bobcat to make its way onto your property if they have lots of spots to hide, like dense forest, vegetation, or a large wood pile.
Trim your bushes and trees regularly to prevent overgrowth and keep visibility clear. If you’ve been working on any outdoor projects like building a deck, make sure there are no gaps in construction or pathways that would allow a bobcat or another predator to access your home. The harder it is for a bobcat to enter your property, the less likely it’ll stick around.
2. Light Up Your Property
Bobcats are most active at night, especially in twilight and the wee hours before the sun begins to rise. To keep them from venturing onto your property, install motion-activated lighting that will snap them out of their shadowy comfort zone, or if the cost of motion-sensor lights is beyond your budget, try solar-powered lights that will charge up during the day and stay on through the night. This is also a common method for keeping other kinds of predators away, like coyotes, wolves, and foxes.
3. Utilize Your Resident Canine
If you have a big or medium-sized dog, your furry friend could be your best weapon against the threat of bobcats on your property. Bobcats are naturally shy and won’t want to face off with a dog, so sending your pup out for a regular romp in the yard can sometimes be enough to deter one from coming by.
Remember, though, the average bobcat is 2 to 3 feet long and 15 to 40 pounds. Be sure Fido is larger than that before you send him off to defend the fort, and keep smaller dogs inside or on a leash.
4. Keep Other Animals Inside
Providing safe shelter for your barnyard animals or small pets is imperative in keeping bobcats away. Otherwise, they could be attracted to their scent and try to attack your animals as a food source. If your animals need to roam outdoors at night, make sure they’re bordered by a fence at least 6 feet high (the taller, the better) since bobcats are good jumpers and climbers. Bobcats are also likely to target smaller domesticated cats, so be sure to keep them indoors at night if you can.
Why Are Bobcats Near My Home?
Like most wild animals, bobcats are attracted to any place where there is food that they can scavenge or hunt. If you leave pet food outside, for example, a bobcat is more likely to visit your property. The same goes for things like fallen fruit from trees, bird seed, or smaller free-roaming animals, like chickens or ducks. It’s important not to let your pets roam the outdoors unattended at night when bobcats are likely to be active and hunting.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Even if you know how to keep bobcats away, you could run into one in the wild or on your property. Scare it off by shouting loudly and waving your arms. Most bobcats will run away once they realize you’re a human being, but some may not due to being ill or rabid. If that’s the case, call your local wildlife control pros to report the bobcat and have it removed.
There is never a scenario in which any average person should try handling a bobcat or its kittens on their own because it’s very dangerous. Plus, it’s worth the cost of wildlife removal to save a pet or barn animal’s life in the future.
How Much Does Wildlife Removal Cost?
Bobcats are a protected species, so you’ll need to contact a professional to remove and relocate them. The cost of removing a bobcat varies by location, but in general, wildlife removal costs range between $200 and $600.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t let it run off without scaring it away through shouting, loud noises, waving your arms, or even throwing some rocks in its general direction if possible. You want the bobcat to get away with the thought that this place is not safe for them, which will dissuade them from returning.
You don’t need heavy-duty chemicals to get rid of a bobcat. In fact, one of the most simple and effective methods of preventing bobcats from entering your property is by keeping your yard clear of overgrowth by trimming bushes and trees regularly. This eliminates potential hiding spots for a bobcat and makes them easier to spot in general.
Bobcats do attack domesticated animals, like small dogs and cats. Your pets are especially at risk if they’re below 30 pounds. The best way to protect your pets is to keep them safely indoors at night when bobcats are more likely to be roaming or being outside with your pets so they’re not unaccompanied.
Bobcats are most active from sunset to midnight, and from sunrise to a few hours into the morning. If you see a bobcat acting strangely in hours they’re normally not active, it’s possible they’re sick. The Humane Society recommends contacting a local wildlife professional to find and trap the bobcat in this case.