Coyote Bites Little Girl At Lake Las Vegas, Henderson Police Issue Warning

Coyotes are coming up to people and biting them, according to the Henderson Police Department.

On Facebook, Henderson Police posted a warning about interacting with wildlife.

"The Henderson Police Department wants to let all our citizens know to STOP feeding wildlife and encouraging wildlife encounters," the post reads.

Further, the police department said they've seen a number of coyotes approaching people and subsequently biting them.

According to Fox 5, coyotes have bit four people in the last three months. Two incidents happened in January.

Fox 5 further reported that a coyote bit a little girl outside of Lake Las Vegas Village Grocery Store. Another happened when a woman sat on a bench in the village.

In May, a woman said a coyote kill her cat, according to News 3. This lead to many other people sharing similar stories about gruesome coyote attacks among their pets.

A conservation education supervisor for the Nevada Department of Wildlife told 8 News Now that due to developments and the city's barriers increasing, we have mingled more with the wildland-urban interface. Think of the wildland-urban interface as the "border" between pure wilderness and human development.

This essentially has lead to less food for coyotes. The conservation education supervisor even said to 8 News Now, "We don’t have the groceries out on the desert floor.”

Although it's rare for a coyote to have rabies, it's still possible.

"The CDC, USDA, and state governments collect data on confirmed rabies cases all over the country. Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and feral cats are consistently among the most common victims of rabies (though these cases are still relatively few). Coyotes rank at the very bottom of the statistical list, near rabbits and beavers and behind cattle and deer," For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue, an animal sanctuary, reports in an article.

Despite this low statistic, it's best to avoid interaction with a coyote at all time. And if you get bit, we definitely recommend an immediate trip to the hospital. Fox 5 reports that coyotes are losing fear of humans, which causes more biting and aggressive behavior. The loss of fear happens when people feed coyotes.

It's important to avoid feeding coyotes and to avoid creating conflict. If you see an aggressive coyote, it's best to report it immediately.

Fox 5 also reports that there's also been discussion and consideration by the City of Henderson to cite and fine people up to $600 for feeding animals and ignoring warnings.

It's getting warmer in Nevada, which means you can expect a few critters to make an unwelcomed appearance.

This week, Nevada will experience warmer temperatures in high 80s. The desert heat is perfect for certain insects to thrive in. Certain insects like beetles, cockroaches, silverfish and more multiply quickly in the desert.

Insects thrive in temperatures 75 degrees and above, so the rising temperatures mean that more insects will come out. According to Channel 8, once insects, like beetles and cockroaches, come out then scorpions and spiders will start to make an appearance as well. This is because the food source for arachnids are insects like cockroaches, crane flies, gnat flies, etc.

There are a few ways to ensure that insects don't see your house as their own. According to Dr. Death Pest Control, a local pest control company based in Henderson and Boulder City, they advise to clean your kitchen, disinfect your drains and ensure your food is stored properly. Although simple, these steps can help you avoid a gnat, cockroach, beetle or other bugs in Nevada from infesting your place.

One of the coolest and "natural" insecticides that we found when it comes to fighting off pests is Diatomaceous Earth. This is a powder-like substance that you can find at home improvement stores like Lowe's, Home Depot or online like Amazon. It's made out of fossilized remains of small, aquatic organisms called diatoms, and it's a great tool to fight against bugs in Nevada.

According to the Natural Pesticide Information Center, Diatomaceous Earth products can be used against bed bugs, cockroaches, crickets, fleas, ticks, spiders and many other pests. Diatomaceous Earth destroys the exoskeleton of insects because the particles act like tiny razor blades that cut the insect's insides. However, you need to be careful with this product because the particles can be dangerous to breathe in.

Another way to get rid of insects is to spray essential oils like clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, basil, oregano,  mint, and thyme. These oils have been found to have "a range of effects on insect eggs, larvae, nymphs and adults," according to Entomology Today.

Also, a mixture of boric acid and sugar has been found to be a natural insecticide, too. These are ingredients that can be purchased from most grocery stores, and it's not as harsh as Raid or other well-known insecticides.

Overall, the Nevada desert is filled with "take-your-breathe-away" creatures. Fortifying your home with an essential oil sealant across corners, under doors and in tight spaces could help battle against insects. Ensuring you don't give insects the opportunity to live in your home in the first place will help battle the creepy crawly creatures of the desert from taking over.

If you're interested in learning about some of the critters that call Nevada home then scroll down below!

Extremely venomous and packs a painful bite, the Mojave Green is a snake that you don't want to mess with. You can find this snake across the high desert or low valley areas of the Mojave. There are a few at Red Rock Canyon, but the sighting for this snake have been pretty low. If you do ever encounter this snake then be sure to stay away at least 10 feet from the snake.

In Las Vegas, there are four main species of roaches: German, Oriental, American and Australian. They're all equally as disgusting, and they thrive in the desert climate. These bugs carry pathogens and multiply quickly. However, roaches are hard to kill with natural DIY methods. So, if you have a problem at your house then it's probably best to call a professional exterminator. 

This is a spider that should strike a little fear in your heart if you see it hanging in your home. Although it's poisonous, these spiders rarely bite if unprovoked.

These little gross bugs are usually found throughout buildings that uses cardboard boxes or has a great deal of moisture. These translucent-like bugs enjoy dark, damp environments. If you see one then that usually means there are hundreds. These bugs don't have as much of a chance to spread pathogens or germs like roaches. They do, however, have the ability to chew tiny holes through clothes, upholstery, etc. And they can trigger allergies among people.

When you think of desert insects, you need to think about scorpions. Due to this arachnid feeding off of insects like roaches, ants, etc. Our homes in Nevada have become perfect places where a scorpion can lie low in while waiting for its next meal. They like to hide in dark damp places like shoes. So, be sure to check your shoes if you store them in the closet or outside. They're pretty docile creatures as long as you don't provoke them.

A truly remarkable specimen, these long horn beetles are found throughout the deserts in Nevada, California and Mexico. They don't fly, and they feed on cacti.

This beautiful moth is hauntingly beautiful. The larvae feed on horsebrush, Fremont’s Dalea, and desert almond plants. While the adults don't feed at all. These insects are not known to cause any property damage or other types of nuances.