YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Dropping temperatures and winter weather could mean increased coyote activity in northeast Ohio. Do you know what to do if you come across one of these animals in your neighborhood?

The first thing to know if you spot a coyote is that this isn't an immediate cause for alarm. Coyotes are common across some areas of Ohio and can migrate into developed areas. Coyote activity builds in January and continues through March during the breeding season. The resulting litters born in April and May are then heavily protected by parent Coyotes, which could lead to conflicts with humans and pets.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has issued a set of guidelines to help Ohioans prevent or reduce conflicts, should they come into contact with a coyote.

- If you spot a coyote on your property, make sure you remove anything that could attract it back to your land. You can do that by making sure your garbage is in a proper and secure container and that you bring in any outside pet food before nightfall. Also, remember to wipe up any drippings from your grill if you use it to cook outside and never directly feed the coyotes.

- Coyotes are omnivores, so they typically eat small mammals (including shrews, rabbits, and mice) and dead animals as well as nuts and plants. However, confrontations with pets do occur. Coyotes may attack pets to defend themselves or their territory. So make sure to keep small dogs and cats inside (especially at night) or on a six-foot leash when they're outside to keep them safe.

- If you notice that the coyote is watching you, you can scare it off. Make a noise like clapping your hands, stomping your feet or shouting; the coyote will likely decide to move on. If it doesn't, you can use a noise maker or toss rocks near, not at, the animal to scare it off.

- If a coyote that's been visiting your property keeps returning and you aren't able to scare it off or it's presenting a danger to your pets, you can contact a local trapper through WildOhio.gov or by calling the ODNR Division of Wildlife at 1-800-WILDLIFE. Trappers use regulated techniques to find and catch the animals.

Anyone with questions or concerns can find out more at OhioDNR.gov.