Coyote Prevention: How To Keep Coyotes Out Of The Yard

Are coyotes visiting your yard? Maybe you’ve seen one, heard their calls at night, or found signs they were there. People often wonder why coyotes come near homes and how to stop them. Coyotes come looking for food, water, or shelter. Keeping them out of your yard is possible. You can do this by making your property less attractive to them. This guide will show you how to keep coyotes away from property using simple steps and effective wildlife prevention methods.

How To Keep Coyotes Out Of The Yard
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Seeing Signs of Coyotes in Yard

How can you tell if coyotes are visiting? They are sneaky animals. But they often leave clues.
Watch for these signs of coyotes in yard:

Droppings: Coyote poop looks like dog poop. It might have fur or bone in it. You might find it on trails or raised spots.
Tracks: Coyote paw prints are like dog prints. But they are usually more oval. The nails often show. They tend to walk in a straight line.
Scratching or Digging: They might dig under fences. Or they might scratch at garbage cans.
Howling or Yipping: You might hear them at night. They howl to talk to each other.
Missing Pets: Sadly, small pets that are left outside can become coyote food. This is a very serious sign.
Seeing the Coyote: Sometimes you just see them. They might walk through your yard. This could be in the day or at night.

If you see these signs, it means coyotes are close. It’s time to take action. You need to make your yard a place they do not want to be. This is key to preventing coyote encounters.

Finding Why Coyotes Visit

Why do coyotes come into yards? They are wild animals trying to live. They come to places where it is easy to find things they need.
These things include:

Food: This is the main reason. They eat small animals like mice, rabbits, and squirrels. But they also eat berries, fruits, and garbage. Pet food left outside is also food for them.
Water: Like all animals, they need water. Bird baths or pet water bowls can bring them in. Leaky hoses or sprinklers can too.
Shelter: They need a safe place to rest or have their young. Thick bushes, wood piles, or areas under decks can be good spots for them.
Easy Paths: Open yards, parks, or drainage ditches near your home give them easy ways to travel.

By removing these attractions, you make your yard less interesting. This is a big part of humane coyote control. You are not hurting them. You are just telling them your yard is not a good place to find food or shelter.

Making Your Yard Less Welcoming

Making your yard a bad place for coyotes is a good first step. You need to take away the things they like.
Think about these steps to help with keeping coyotes away from property:

Clean Up Your Yard: Remove fallen fruit from trees. Pick up nuts or berries that drop. Keep your grass cut short. Clear away brush piles. Trim bushes so they are not too thick. This makes it harder for small animals (coyote food) to hide. It also takes away places for coyotes to rest.
Secure Hiding Spots: Do you have a deck or shed? Check for spaces underneath. Coyotes can hide there. Block these spots off with wire mesh or boards. Make sure there are no gaps for them to get under.
Manage Water Sources: Bird baths are nice for birds. But they also give coyotes water. If you have coyote problems, maybe remove the bird bath for a while. Do not leave pet water bowls outside, especially at night. Fix any leaky outdoor faucets or sprinklers.

Doing these things makes your yard less like a wild space and more like a safe human space. Coyotes usually like to avoid people.

Securing Food From Wildlife

Food is the biggest reason coyotes come calling. They are always looking for an easy meal. This means you need to be very careful with anything that smells like food. Securing garbage from wildlife is one of the most important steps you can take.

Managing Your Garbage

Garbage smells very good to coyotes. It is like an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Here is how to handle your garbage:

Use Strong Cans: Get garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. Lids that lock are best.
Secure the Lids: You can use bungee cords to hold the lids down. This stops coyotes from knocking them off or prying them open.
Store Cans Safely: Keep your garbage cans in a garage, shed, or secure bin. Only take them out on the morning of pick-up day. Do not leave them outside overnight.
Clean Cans: Wash out your garbage cans sometimes. Use soap and water. This removes food smells that attract animals.
Bag Garbage Well: Double bag smelly food waste. Tie the bags tightly.

Pet Food and Water

Leaving pet food or water outside is like inviting coyotes for dinner.

Feed Pets Inside: Always feed your pets indoors.
Pick Up Bowls: After your pet eats, bring the bowls inside. Do not leave any food or water in the yard.
Store Pet Food Securely: Keep large bags of pet food in a secure container. A metal bin with a tight lid is good. Do not leave bags sitting open in a garage where coyotes could find them.

Other Food Sources

Think about other things coyotes might eat.

Bird Feeders: Seeds on the ground attract birds, mice, and squirrels. These are all things coyotes eat. Spilled seed can also attract coyotes directly. Clean up spilled seed under feeders. Consider removing feeders if coyotes are a big problem.
Compost Piles: Food scraps in compost bins can attract many animals, including coyotes. Use a compost bin that is fully enclosed. Do not add meat or dairy products.
Fallen Fruit: If you have fruit trees, pick up fallen fruit often.
Barbecues: Clean your grill after using it. Food grease and smells can attract animals.

By being very careful with food sources, you take away a major reason for coyotes to visit your yard. This is a key part of humane coyote control.

Building Strong Barriers

Physical barriers are a direct way to keep coyotes out. The most common barrier is a fence. But not just any fence will work. Coyotes are smart and good at getting around things. You need coyote proof fencing options.

What Makes a Fence Coyote Proof?

A good fence needs three things:
1. Height: Coyotes can jump well. A fence should be tall enough to stop them.
2. Below Ground: Coyotes can dig under fences. You need to stop them from doing this.
3. Stability: The fence needs to be strong and have no weak spots.

Types of Coyote Proof Fences

Here are some fence types that work well:

Tall Solid Fences: Fences that are at least 6 feet high are good. Wood or vinyl solid fences work. Coyotes cannot see through them. This makes them less likely to try and jump over.
Wire Mesh Fences: Strong wire fences like chain-link or woven wire are good. Make sure the mesh is small enough so they cannot squeeze through. Again, aim for 6 feet high.
Adding Protection Below Ground: This is very important.
- Bury the Fence: You can bury the bottom of the fence about 12-18 inches deep.
- L-Footing: A better way is to create an “L-footing.” Bury wire mesh (like chicken wire or hardware cloth) flat on the ground, attached to the bottom of the fence. It should go outwards into the yard about 12-18 inches. Bury this mesh under a few inches of soil or cover it with rocks. When a coyote tries to dig at the fence line, they hit the mesh buried under the ground. This stops them.
Electric Fences: A low-level electric wire placed near the top or bottom of an existing fence can deter coyotes. A small shock teaches them to stay away. Use fences designed for livestock or predator control. Follow all safety rules.

Table: Comparing Fence Options for Coyotes

Fence Type	Pros	Cons	Coyote Proofing Tips
Solid (Wood/Vinyl)	Blocks sight, good privacy, can be tall.	Can be expensive, requires maintenance.	Must be at least 6 ft. high; add L-footing below ground.
Wire Mesh	Less expensive than solid, durable (metal).	Coyotes can see through, some types less strong.	Use strong, tight mesh (chain link, woven wire); 6 ft. high; add L-footing below ground.
Electric Fence	Very effective deterrent, can add to existing fence.	Requires power, potential risk to pets/children (follow safety).	Use low-voltage predator specific fence; place wires at coyote height.
Adding L-Footing	Stops digging, works with many fence types.	Extra work to install, can be costly.	Bury mesh 12-18 inches outward; bury 2-4 inches deep.

Building a strong, complete fence is one of the most effective coyote deterrents. Remember to check your fence often for any holes or weak spots. Fix them right away.

Using Coyote Deterrents

Sometimes, fences are not possible for everyone. Or you might want extra ways to scare coyotes away. This is where coyote deterrents come in. These are things that make coyotes feel scared or uncomfortable in your yard.

Deterrents work by making the coyote think there is danger or something bad will happen if they stay. There are different kinds of deterrents.

Sight and Sound Deterrents

Coyotes are often scared by things that are sudden or unexpected.

Motion-Activated Lights: Lights that turn on when something moves can scare a coyote away. Put them in areas where you have seen coyotes.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers: A sudden spray of water is surprising and unpleasant for a coyote. These can be very effective.
Loud Noises: Yelling, clapping, or using an air horn can scare a coyote away if you see one. Keep something handy by your door.
Predator Urine: Some people use the urine of animals that hunt coyotes (like bobcats or mountain lions). The smell might make coyotes think a dangerous animal is nearby. You can buy this in stores. Place it around the edges of your yard. Reapply it after rain.

Smell Deterrents

Coyotes have a strong sense of smell. Some smells might keep them away.

Ammonia: The smell of ammonia can be unpleasant for coyotes. You can soak rags in ammonia and place them around your yard. Keep them away from pets and children. Reapply often.
Vinegar: Like ammonia, the strong smell of vinegar might deter them.

Electronic Coyote Repellers

Technology offers some deterrents too. These are sometimes called electronic coyote repellers.

Ultrasonic Devices: These devices make a high-pitched sound that humans cannot hear, but animals like coyotes supposedly can. The idea is the sound is annoying to them. However, studies show these are often not very effective against determined wildlife like coyotes.
Flashing Light Devices: Some devices emit random flashing lights at night. This might scare coyotes who are active in the dark.
Combining Light and Sound: Some newer devices combine motion-activated lights with loud noises or even recordings of predator sounds. Effectiveness can vary.

Important Notes on Deterrents

Deterrents Work Best Together: Using just one deterrent might not be enough. Try using a few different types at the same time.
Coyotes Can Get Used to Things: Coyotes are smart. If a deterrent always does the same thing (like a light that always comes on), they might learn it is not really dangerous. Change things up if you can. Move the deterrents or change their settings.
Deterrents are Not Perfect: Deterrents are a tool, not a guarantee. They work best when used along with securing food sources and building barriers.
Humane Approach: Most deterrents are part of humane coyote control. They aim to scare the coyote away, not hurt it.

Using a mix of deterrents can make your yard a confusing and scary place for a coyote, encouraging them to go somewhere else.

Protecting Pets From Coyotes

One of the biggest worries for homeowners is protecting pets from coyotes. Small dogs and cats are easy targets for coyotes looking for food. Even larger dogs can be at risk.

Taking steps to keep your pets safe is very important.

Supervise Your Pets

This is the most important rule.

Never Leave Pets Outside Alone: Do not let dogs or cats roam freely in the yard, especially at dawn and dusk. These are times when coyotes are most active.
Go Out With Your Pet: When your dog needs to go out, go with them. Stay outside with them the whole time. Shine a flashlight around, especially at night.
Keep Cats Indoors: Cats that go outside are at very high risk from coyotes, cars, and other dangers. The safest place for a cat is inside.

Secure Your Pet’s Outdoor Space

If your pet must spend time outside, make the area safe.

Use a Strong Leash: Always keep your dog on a leash when walking, even in your own neighborhood. Use a strong leash that you can hold onto firmly.
Secure Enclosures: If you have a dog run or outdoor kennel, make sure it is fully enclosed on all sides and has a secure top. The sides should use coyote proof fencing options like strong wire mesh with an L-footing buried below ground to prevent digging under. The top must prevent coyotes from climbing in.
Do Not Use Invisible Fences: Invisible fences do not stop a coyote from coming into your yard. They only keep your dog inside. Your dog could still be attacked by a coyote that comes into the yard.

Make Your Pets Less Appealing

Do Not Leave Pet Food Outside: We already covered this, but it is worth saying again. Pet food left outside is a major draw for coyotes.
Pick Up Pet Waste: Pet waste can also attract coyotes. Clean up dog poop in your yard regularly.
Spay or Neuter Pets: Unspayed female dogs in heat can attract male coyotes.

Walking Your Dog Safely

Walking is a time when you might encounter a coyote.

Walk During the Day: Coyotes are less active during the day.
Use Busy Areas: Walk in well-lit, populated areas if possible.
Carry Protection: Carry a whistle, air horn, or pepper spray designed for animals. If you see a coyote that seems too comfortable around people, these can help you scare it away.
Be Alert: Pay attention to your surroundings. Do not be on your phone. Watch and listen.
Keep Dog Close: Walk your dog on a short leash. Keep them close to you.
If You See a Coyote: Do not run. Running can make a coyote chase. Stand tall. Make yourself look big. Make noise. Yell, clap, or use your deterrent. Slowly back away. Do not turn your back and run.

Protecting pets from coyotes takes effort. But supervising them and securing their areas are the best ways to keep them safe.

Preventing Coyote Encounters

Even with all the steps to keep them out, you might still see a coyote sometimes. Knowing what to do can help in preventing coyote encounters that could be risky.

Coyotes are usually scared of people. But sometimes they lose this fear, often because people have fed them (even by accident, like leaving out food).

What to Do If You See a Coyote In Your Yard

Do Not Run: Stand your ground. Running can trigger their chase instinct.
Make Yourself Look Big: Spread your arms. Open your jacket. Stand up tall.
Make Noise: Yell loudly. Wave your arms. Clap your hands. Use a whistle or air horn if you have one. You want to make the coyote uncomfortable and scared. This is called “hazing.”
Back Away Slowly: Do not turn your back. Keep facing the coyote. Slowly walk backward to get inside or put a safe distance between you.
Do Not Let Them Get Close: Do not let a coyote approach you or your pet. If they do not run away when you make noise, they are too bold.
Go Inside: Get yourself and your pets indoors as quickly and calmly as you can.

Hazing Techniques

Hazing means making a coyote feel unwelcome through actions.
Effective hazing can include:

Yelling and waving arms.
Using noisemakers (shaker cans, air horns, whistles).
Throwing small objects towards them (not at them) like pebbles or sticks to startle them.
Spraying them with a hose or motion-activated sprinklers.

The goal is to make the coyote think “this is not a safe place for me.”

Teaching Children

Talk to children about coyotes. Teach them what to do if they see one:

Never approach a coyote.
Stay away from them.
If a coyote comes near, stand tall, be loud, and slowly walk towards an adult or inside.

Report Bold Coyotes

If a coyote seems not afraid of people, approaches people or pets aggressively, or is seen regularly during the day in populated areas, report it. Contact your local animal control or wildlife authority. A coyote that has lost its fear of people can be dangerous. They may need to be managed by professionals.

Learning how to react if you see a coyote is a final layer of protection. It helps keep you, your pets, and the coyote safe by reinforcing their natural fear of humans.

Working With Neighbors

Coyotes do not know property lines. If your neighbor leaves food out, it can bring coyotes to your whole street. Wildlife prevention methods work best when everyone in the area is involved.

Talk to Your Neighbors: Share information with them about coyotes in the area. Explain the steps you are taking.
Encourage them to Secure Attractants: Talk about securing garbage, bringing in pet food, and watching pets.
Share This Information: Give them links to good resources or print out guides.
Work Together on Fencing: If you share a property line, maybe you can work together on fence improvements or adding an L-footing.
Start a Neighborhood Watch: A wildlife watch group can share sightings and remind each other to be careful.

A neighborhood working together creates a larger area that is safe and less attractive to coyotes. This is much more effective than just one house trying to manage the issue alone.

Reviewing Humane Coyote Control

The methods discussed here are part of humane coyote control. Humane means kind. We want to keep coyotes away without hurting them. Coyotes play a role in the environment. They help control populations of rodents and rabbits. The goal is to teach them that populated areas are not good places for them to find food or rest, so they stay in wilder areas.

Humane methods focus on:
* Taking away food sources.
* Removing shelter spots.
* Using deterrents to scare them away.
* Using barriers like fences to block entry.
* Teaching people how to behave if they see a coyote.

Trapping and relocating coyotes often does not work well. Coyotes can travel long distances. Relocating them can cause problems for other animals in the new area. It can also break up coyote families. Killing coyotes is often a last resort and is usually done by wildlife professionals only if a coyote is a direct danger. For most situations, making your yard unwelcoming is the best and most humane approach.

All these methods help with keeping coyotes away from property in a way that is safe for people, pets, and the coyotes themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coyotes

Here are some common questions people ask about coyotes and how to keep them away.

h4 Can a coyote climb a fence?

Yes, coyotes are good climbers. They can climb over fences that are not tall enough (under 6 feet). They can also use trees, sheds, or other things near the fence to help them get over. That’s why height and having no nearby climbing aids are important for coyote proof fencing options.

h4 Are small pets really in danger?

Yes, small pets like cats and small dogs are seen as prey by coyotes. It is very risky to leave them outside unsupervised, especially at night, dawn, or dusk. Protecting pets from coyotes means keeping them close or in a completely secure area.

h4 Do coyote deterrents like sounds or lights actually work?

They can work, but often only for a while. Coyotes are smart and can get used to things. Deterrents are best used with other methods like securing food and using fences. Random or changing deterrents (like motion-activated ones) might work better than ones that are always on.

h4 Is it okay to feed coyotes?

No, absolutely not. Never feed coyotes. Feeding coyotes, even accidentally by leaving food out, makes them lose their fear of people. This makes them bolder and more likely to come into yards. It increases the risk of dangerous encounters. This goes against all principles of humane coyote control and wildlife prevention methods.

h4 What should I do if I see a coyote during the day?

Seeing a coyote during the day does not always mean it is sick or dangerous. They sometimes hunt during the day. However, if a coyote seems too comfortable around people during the day, or approaches people, it could be a problem. Use hazing methods (yelling, waving arms) to try and scare it away. If it does not leave, report it to your local animal control.

h4 Does securing garbage really help?

Yes, securing garbage from wildlife is one of the most important steps. Garbage is an easy food source for coyotes. Removing this food source makes your yard much less attractive to them.

h4 Where can I find more help?

Contact your local animal control department or a state wildlife agency. They often have programs or advice specific to your area. They can help you understand the local coyote behavior and give tips. They are key resources for preventing coyote encounters and getting help if needed.

Conclusion

Keeping coyotes out of your yard takes effort, but it is possible. By following these steps, you make your property a less appealing place for them to find food, water, and shelter. Remember the key actions:

Remove food sources, especially by securing garbage from wildlife and pet food.
Clean up your yard to remove hiding spots and make it open.
Use coyote proof fencing options to create a physical barrier.
Try different coyote deterrents to scare them away.
Always supervise and protect your pets, using the best methods for protecting pets from coyotes.
Know what to do if you see a coyote to help in preventing coyote encounters.
Work with your neighbors on wildlife prevention methods.

These steps are all part of humane coyote control. They help coyotes stay wild and keep your home and pets safe. By taking action, you can greatly reduce the chances of coyytes visiting your yard.