If you hear coyotes nearby, try not to panic. Take action to keep yourself and your pets safe.
The best thing you can do is make loud noises, wave your arms, and show coyotes you’re not prey. Usually, they’ll get the message and move on pretty quickly.
Coyotes get more active at dawn and dusk. If you know what their howls sound like, you’ll be better prepared to deal with them.
Responding calmly and confidently goes a long way toward protecting your yard and keeping coyotes from getting too comfortable.
You might wonder what else you can do to keep coyotes away for good. There are some simple steps that help make your space less attractive to them—so everyone stays safe.
Immediate Actions to Take When You Hear Coyotes
When you hear coyotes close by, your first moves really matter. Acting quickly and calmly can keep you and your family safe.
Protecting pets and kids, avoiding risky choices, and knowing when to call in the pros are the main priorities.
Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
Hearing coyotes can rattle your nerves, but try to stay calm. Pause and listen to figure out how close they might be—sometimes, sounds travel farther than you’d think.
If you can, look around from inside your home. Coyotes mostly howl to talk to each other, and they usually won’t come close if they know people are nearby.
Try to notice if the howling is constant or odd; that can mean pups are nearby or a coyote is guarding its turf.
Keeping your cool helps you make better choices. If you panic, you might rush outside or make noises that could stir up trouble.
Secure Pets and Children Indoors
Coyotes see small pets and kids as easy targets, so bring them inside right away. Don’t wait if you hear howling or spot coyotes nearby.
Close all windows and doors tightly so nothing gets in or out. If your pets are outside, call them in as soon as you can.
Their movement or barking might attract coyotes, even if they’re not in danger yet. When you take pets outside, keep them on a leash—especially after dark.
Coyotes tend to roam most at dawn, dusk, and night. Keeping everyone inside during those times lowers the risk.
Once everyone’s safe, keep an eye on things from indoors.
Avoid Direct Confrontation or Approaching
Coyotes are wild and can act out if they feel trapped or scared. Don’t try to chase them off too aggressively when you hear them close by.
If you see a coyote, stay at least 50 feet away. Don’t run—running might make them chase you.
Instead, stand tall, look as big as you can, and slowly back away while keeping your eyes on the animal.
Avoid shining bright lights or shouting out of nowhere. That might startle them and make things worse.
A steady, calm response usually encourages them to leave you alone.
Report Unusual or Aggressive Behavior
If a coyote gets bold or acts aggressive, reach out to animal control or a wildlife biologist. They know how to handle these situations safely.
Watch for things like a coyote hanging around during the day, coming close to people or pets, or acting like it might attack.
If you keep seeing the same coyote, it could mean it’s getting too used to people.
Share what you see with wildlife pros—they track coyote activity and help keep neighborhoods safer.
Never try to deal with an aggressive coyote yourself. Let the experts handle it.
Check out this coyote safety guide for more tips on what to do if you run into one.
How to Keep Your Property, Family, and Pets Safe from Coyotes
Coyotes are curious and will come closer if you make things easy for them. You can protect your home, pets, and family by removing what attracts them, scaring them off smartly, and building barriers they can’t cross.
Eliminate Food Sources and Secure Trash
Coyotes show up because they find food nearby. Bring pet bowls inside, especially at night.
Don’t leave birdseed or fallen fruit lying around—those attract small critters, which then attract coyotes.
Make sure your trash cans have sturdy, locking lids. Compost bins should stay sealed, and never leave scraps or meat out where animals can get them.
Keep your yard tidy. Tall grass and brush piles make perfect hiding spots for coyotes and other pests.
When you cut off their food, coyotes learn your place isn’t worth the trouble.
Use Hazing Techniques to Deter Coyotes
If a coyote wanders into your yard, hazing can teach it to stay away. Make yourself look big and loud—wave your arms, shout, stomp, or use noisemakers like whistles or cans with coins.
Keep things like sticks or tennis balls handy so you can toss them near (but not at) the coyote to scare it off.
You can also use pepper spray or a water squirt gun. Repeat this every time a coyote comes around.
That way, they remember not to get too close to people or pets.
Install Coyote-Proof Fence and Coyote Rollers
A solid fence really goes a long way in keeping coyotes out. For best results, build it at least six feet tall.
Dig the fence down about 18 inches so coyotes can’t just burrow underneath. They’re persistent, so you don’t want to make it easy for them.
Try adding a coyote roller on top. It’s basically a metal bar that spins if a coyote tries to scramble over, making climbing just about impossible.
Take a look at your fence now and then. If you spot gaps or weak spots, fix them up.
A sturdy fence doesn’t just keep coyotes out of your yard—it also helps cut down on wildlife wandering in, which means you’re less likely to run into ticks too.
