What do I do if a coyote is in my backyard?

Coyotes have become a familiar sight in Dallas suburbs, showing up in backyards, alleys, and even near busy streets. As urban areas expand, these adaptable animals are learning to live closer to people in search of food, water, and shelter. While spotting one in your backyard can feel alarming, it’s not unusual in North Texas.

The good news is that most coyotes prefer to avoid people and will leave if they don’t find easy meals or hiding spots. Knowing how to respond calmly and effectively can keep your family, pets, and property safe without harming the animal. This guide walks you through what to do in the moment, why coyotes wander into neighborhoods, and how to prevent them from returning.

Immediate Steps to Take When You Spot a Coyote

• Stay calm and don’t run. Running can trigger a coyote’s natural chase instinct, making the situation more dangerous. Instead, stand tall and maintain eye contact so the animal knows you’re aware of its presence. A calm but firm stance communicates that you’re not prey.
• Secure children and pets indoors immediately. Coyotes see small pets as potential food sources, especially at dawn or dusk. Bring them inside quickly and avoid leaving them unsupervised until the coyote is gone. This simple step can prevent risky encounters.
• Use hazing to scare the coyote away. Loud claps, yelling, banging pots, or waving arms can convince the animal to leave. Coyotes are naturally wary of humans, and hazing reinforces that fear. Consistency is key—make sure the coyote understands your yard is off-limits.
• Do not approach or corner the coyote. Getting too close can make the animal feel threatened and provoke defensive behavior. Always give it a clear escape route so it doesn’t feel trapped. Coyotes are more likely to leave quickly if they have a safe path out.
• Call for professional help if needed. If the coyote seems aggressive, injured, or refuses to leave, don’t try to handle it yourself. Contact local wildlife control, such as AAAC Wildlife Removal of Dallas, for safe and humane assistance. Experts have the training and equipment to deal with coyotes effectively.

Why Coyotes Wander Into Yards in Dallas

Coyotes are highly adaptable and opportunistic, which means they’re constantly looking for the easiest sources of food. In Dallas neighborhoods, that often includes unsecured trash bins, pet food left outdoors, or fruit that has fallen from backyard trees. Once they find a consistent meal, they’re more likely to return, making your yard part of their nightly route.

Shelter is another major reason coyotes venture into residential areas. Overgrown bushes, piles of wood, or gaps under decks can provide safe hiding spots for resting or nesting. As open land gets developed for housing, coyotes look for alternatives, and backyards can unintentionally become the perfect substitute.

Finally, water access draws coyotes in during Dallas’s hot summers. Bird baths, ponds, or even dripping hoses can be enough to attract a thirsty animal. With Texas heat pushing wildlife to find hydration, homeowners often see more coyote activity in yards during dry spells.

Hazing: Safely Encouraging Coyotes to Leave

Hazing is the most effective way to remind coyotes that backyards are not safe spaces for them. The goal is to make your presence uncomfortable enough that they avoid coming back without causing them harm. Coyotes are naturally cautious, so when they experience loud or startling behavior, they quickly learn to stay away.

Common hazing techniques include clapping loudly, shouting in a firm voice, banging pots and pans, or spraying a garden hose. You can also wave your arms, use bright flashlights, or shake a can filled with coins to create sharp noise. These methods take advantage of a coyote’s wariness and teach them that approaching humans isn’t worth the risk.

Consistency is key when using hazing techniques. If a coyote learns that entering your yard always results in an unpleasant experience, it will eventually stop returning. This approach not only protects your space but also helps maintain the natural balance by keeping coyotes fearful of people.

What NOT to Do Around Coyotes

Don’t Feed Coyotes

Feeding coyotes, even unintentionally, is one of the fastest ways to make them lose their natural fear of people. Once they associate humans with food, they become bolder, which increases the chances of dangerous encounters. Leaving pet food outdoors, unsecured trash bins, or bird seed on the ground can all encourage coyotes to stick around.

When coyotes get comfortable finding meals in neighborhoods, they may stop avoiding humans altogether. This shift in behavior can lead to repeated visits and potential threats to pets or even people. The best approach is to eliminate food attractants so they keep searching elsewhere.

Don’t Let Pets Roam Freely

Coyotes view small animals like cats and small dogs as prey, especially during dawn and dusk when they are most active. Allowing pets to roam outside without supervision puts them at serious risk. Even larger dogs can be seen as competitors and may be confronted by a coyote.

To keep pets safe, always bring them inside during high coyote activity times and supervise them in the yard. Using leashes, enclosed runs, or tall fencing provides extra protection. Treating your pets like potential targets helps reduce the chance of dangerous interactions.

Don’t Try to Trap or Relocate Coyotes Yourself

Attempting to trap or move a coyote on your own is both unsafe and often against local wildlife laws. Coyotes are strong, fast, and unpredictable, making DIY removal dangerous. Without the right equipment and training, you could end up injured or escalating the situation.

Relocated coyotes also rarely survive because they are forced into unfamiliar territories already claimed by other coyotes. Instead, the safest solution is to call professional wildlife control experts. They have the tools and knowledge to handle coyotes humanely and legally.

Long-Term Prevention Strategies for Homeowners

• Secure garbage bins and compost. Coyotes are excellent scavengers, and an overflowing or loosely closed trash bin is a reliable food source. Use bins with tight-fitting lids or animal-resistant containers to keep them out. Taking this simple step reduces one of the biggest attractions for coyotes in Dallas neighborhoods.
• Remove outdoor food sources. Pet food, bird seed, and fallen fruit all draw in wildlife, not just coyotes. Cleaning up regularly makes your yard less appealing for animals searching for easy meals. A consistent routine helps break the cycle of return visits.
• Install proper fencing. A fence at least six feet tall, with an underground barrier, can deter coyotes from jumping or digging their way in. Adding rollers or angled extensions at the top makes fences even more effective. Good fencing also helps protect pets and children while they’re outdoors.
• Reduce hiding spots. Coyotes seek shelter in brush piles, wood stacks, or open areas under decks and sheds. By clearing out dense vegetation and sealing off crawl spaces, you make your yard less inviting. The fewer places they can hide, the less likely they are to linger.
• Use motion-activated deterrents. Lights, sprinklers, and sound devices can startle coyotes when they enter your property. These tools work especially well at night when coyotes are most active. Combining deterrents with other prevention methods reinforces the message that your backyard isn’t a safe place for them.

Local Considerations in Dallas

Dallas’s rapid urban expansion has pushed coyotes closer to residential neighborhoods, golf courses, and even shopping centers. As natural habitats shrink, these adaptable predators rely more on suburban resources like trash, pet food, and ornamental ponds. This overlap means homeowners are more likely to encounter coyotes in their backyards, especially in areas near creeks, wooded parks, or open fields.

The Texas climate also plays a big role in coyote behavior. During the scorching summers, coyotes often roam neighborhoods in search of water sources, while in cooler months, they expand their range looking for food. Understanding these seasonal patterns helps Dallas residents anticipate when coyote activity is most likely around their homes.

When to Call Professionals

If a Coyote Appears Sick, Injured, or Aggressive

A coyote that looks disoriented, limping, or unusually bold may be sick or injured. These situations are more dangerous because illness, like rabies or distemper, can alter the animal’s natural behavior and make it unpredictable. Attempting to haze or approach a sick coyote is risky and should be avoided.

In these cases, contacting wildlife control is the safest option for both you and the animal. Professionals can assess the situation and remove the coyote humanely. Quick action ensures the safety of your family, pets, and the neighborhood.

If Coyotes Keep Returning to Your Yard

Occasional sightings aren’t unusual in Dallas, but repeated visits signal a larger problem. This usually means your yard has reliable food, shelter, or water that coyotes have learned to depend on. Hazing may not be enough to break this cycle.

Wildlife specialists can identify and eliminate the attractants that encourage coyotes to return. They also provide solutions tailored to your property, from fencing upgrades to habitat modifications. By addressing the root cause, professionals help stop the cycle of backyard visits.

If Pets or Livestock Are Attacked or Threatened

Any incident involving pets or small livestock requires immediate professional attention. Coyotes are opportunistic hunters, and once they succeed in finding prey on your property, they are very likely to return. This puts your animals at ongoing risk.

Wildlife removal experts can step in to secure your property and provide measures to protect vulnerable animals. They can also recommend safe deterrents to prevent future attacks. Taking quick action after the first incident reduces the chance of it happening again.

Coexisting With Caution

Coyotes are part of the Dallas ecosystem, and encounters with them are becoming more common as neighborhoods expand into their habitats. While seeing one in your backyard can be unsettling, most coyotes prefer to avoid humans and will move on if the environment doesn’t offer food or shelter. The key is knowing how to respond calmly in the moment and taking steps to discourage their return.

Hazing, prevention, and vigilance work together to keep your property less attractive to coyotes. By removing food sources, securing pets, and maintaining your yard, you reinforce the message that your home is not a safe place for them. These consistent efforts help reduce conflicts and protect your family and animals.

When a coyote shows aggression, injury, or persistence, professional help is the best solution. Wildlife experts, like AAAC Wildlife Removal of Dallas, provide humane and effective ways to resolve the issue. With the right response, you can safely coexist with coyotes while keeping your backyard a secure space.