Coyotes are highly adaptable canids increasingly common in suburban and urban environments, drawn to residential areas primarily by the availability of food, water, and shelter. Their presence indicates that a property offers easily accessible resources, which can lead to conflicts with people and pets. Keeping these animals away involves a multi-faceted approach focused on humane, preventative exclusion and deterrence. Consistency in applying these strategies is paramount to reinforce the coyotes’ natural wariness of humans.
Eliminating Property Attractants
The foundational step in preventing coyote visits is systematically removing every potential food incentive from your outdoor space. Coyotes are opportunistic scavengers who quickly learn where to find easy meals, so securing garbage is a primary concern. Trash containers must have locking or tight-fitting lids and should be stored inside a garage or shed until the morning of collection.
Pet food left outside is one of the strongest attractants, as it provides a predictable and calorie-dense meal. All pet food and water bowls should be brought indoors, especially at night. Other potential food sources must also be managed, including promptly picking up fallen fruit and regularly raking up spilled birdseed. Bird feeders can inadvertently lure coyotes by attracting rodents and small birds, which then become prey.
Water sources, particularly during dry seasons, can be just as alluring as food. Low-sitting pet water bowls and open bird baths should be removed or emptied before dusk. Potential den sites, such as overgrown brush piles or space beneath sheds and porches, should also be eliminated or sealed off. Removing these resources makes your property less hospitable, encouraging coyotes to move on.
Physical Barriers and Fencing Requirements
A robust physical barrier is often the most reliable, long-term method for coyote exclusion, but standard fencing is frequently inadequate. To prevent coyotes from jumping over, a fence should stand a minimum of 6 feet high, as these animals are capable of easily clearing lower barriers. For maximum security, some experts recommend a height of 8 feet.
To counter their climbing ability, the fence design must include a deterrent at the top. This can be achieved by installing coyote rollers, which are smooth, cylindrical devices that spin when a coyote tries to grip the top rail. Alternatively, add an outward-angled extension or overhang to the top of the fence, making it impossible for the animal to gain a secure foothold.
Because coyotes are skilled diggers, the barrier must also extend below ground level. The fence material should be buried at least 12 to 18 inches vertically into the soil to deter tunneling. A highly effective alternative is to install a wire mesh apron, known as an L-footer, which extends 12 to 18 inches horizontally outward from the base of the fence, buried just beneath the surface. This design prevents digging directly next to the fence line.
Active Deterrence (Hazing) Techniques
Active deterrence, often called hazing, is the immediate, non-lethal harassment of a coyote to restore its natural fear of humans. This technique is necessary when a coyote shows a lack of wariness or is actively present in an unacceptable area, such as your yard. The goal is to create a negative association with being near people and property.
When encountering a coyote, you must never run away, as this can trigger a chase instinct. Instead, stand tall, make yourself look large by waving your arms or opening a jacket, and maintain eye contact. You should be assertive and loud, yelling and shouting phrases like “Go away!” as you move toward the animal.
Use various noisemakers to increase the intensity of the experience, such as blowing an air horn, a whistle, or shaking a can filled with pennies. Throwing small objects like tennis balls or sticks toward the coyote, but not directly at it, is an effective tactic to startle it. A garden hose or a spray bottle filled with water can deliver a harmless but unexpected physical deterrent. Persist with the hazing until the coyote completely leaves the area.
Utilizing Passive Deterrence Devices
For round-the-clock protection when you are not present, automated passive deterrence devices can supplement attractant removal and physical barriers. One of the most effective tools is the motion-activated sprinkler, such as the ScareCrow device, which detects movement and sprays a sudden burst of water. Research has shown that these devices can significantly reduce the number of coyote visits to a residential area by delivering a startling and unpleasant surprise.
Another category includes flashing or blinking light deterrents, often solar-powered, which are designed to mimic the eyes of a predator. These devices are particularly useful at night, as they create an illusion of constant surveillance, making the coyote feel exposed. Many of these units are combined with ultrasonic sound emitters, which pulse high-frequency sounds inaudible to humans but disturbing to coyotes when triggered by motion.
While commercially available, the effectiveness of pure ultrasonic sound repellers and scent-based repellents is generally considered limited. Coyotes are intelligent and can quickly habituate to a single, constant stimulus. Therefore, passive devices work best when used intermittently and in conjunction with the more reliable methods of property maintenance and physical exclusion.