What would you do if a coyote suddenly appeared in your Georgia yard? It might be shocking, but there are clear steps that can keep you and your pets safe.
At the same time, some actions can make the situation worse without you realizing it. Knowing what to do—and what to avoid—makes handling it much easier.
Taking the right approach helps you keep your yard secure and stress-free.
1. Make Noise to Scare Them Away
Grab a pot and pan or whistle when you spot a coyote lounging in your Georgia yard. These wild canines typically fear humans and will retreat when confronted with loud, unexpected sounds.
Shouting, clapping, or using noisemakers creates an unwelcoming environment that encourages them to move along. Remember, consistency is key – make noise every time you see them.
2. Remove Food Sources
Coyotes follow their stomachs, so eliminating potential meals makes your property less appealing. Secure garbage cans with locking lids and bring pet food indoors at night.
Georgia homeowners should also harvest ripe fruits and vegetables promptly. Even bird feeders can attract coyotes indirectly by drawing in squirrels and birds that coyotes hunt.
3. Keep Pets Supervised
Small pets can look like prey to hungry coyotes roaming through Georgia neighborhoods. Never leave cats or small dogs unattended outside, especially during dawn and dusk when coyotes are most active.
For nighttime bathroom breaks, accompany your pets with a flashlight. Consider installing coyote-proof fencing that’s at least six feet tall with a roller bar at the top.
4. Install Motion-Activated Deterrents
Motion-activated sprinklers or lights can startle coyotes and discourage them from returning. These devices sense movement and immediately trigger, creating an unpredictable environment coyotes prefer to avoid.
Many Georgia residents find these automated solutions effective without requiring constant vigilance. Position them near property edges where coyotes might enter your yard from nearby wooded areas.
5. Hazing Techniques
Hazing involves making yourself appear bigger and more threatening when you encounter a coyote. Wave your arms, maintain eye contact, and approach the animal confidently—never run away.
Georgia wildlife experts recommend using multiple hazing methods together. Try shaking a can of pennies while moving toward the coyote, or spray water from a hose in their direction to reinforce that your yard isn’t safe territory.
6. Secure Compost and Garden Areas
Coyotes have excellent noses and will investigate any food smells. Use enclosed compost bins with secure latches rather than open piles, and consider adding hot pepper to compost to make it less appealing.
Throughout Georgia, gardeners should install sturdy fencing around vegetable gardens. Protecting potential food sources eliminates one major reason coyotes might visit your yard repeatedly.
7. Report Repeated Sightings
If coyotes repeatedly visit despite your efforts, contact Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division. They track coyote populations and can provide specific guidance for your situation.
Unusual behavior like aggression or appearing during daylight hours might indicate illness. Reporting helps wildlife officials monitor potential problems while keeping Georgia’s wild and human populations safely coexisting.
8. Don’t Feed Coyotes
Never intentionally feed coyotes, even if they look hungry or cute. Feeding creates dangerous associations between humans and food, leading to bolder behavior and potential conflicts.
Georgia wildlife officials emphasize that a fed coyote becomes a dead coyote. Once they lose their natural wariness of humans, they’re more likely to approach people and may ultimately be euthanized for public safety.
9. Don’t Run Away
Running triggers a coyote’s chase instinct—exactly what you want to avoid. Instead, maintain eye contact and back away slowly if you encounter one in your Georgia yard.
Stand tall, wave your arms, and act confidently. Running makes you appear like prey to a coyote’s natural hunting instincts. Remember, despite their wild nature, coyotes in Georgia rarely attack humans unless cornered or sick.
10. Don’t Try to Trap Yourself
Amateur trapping attempts often end badly for both human and animal. In Georgia, trapping wildlife requires specific permits and training that most homeowners don’t possess.
Improperly set traps risk injuring pets or non-target wildlife. Instead, focus on making your property unattractive to coyotes and contact licensed wildlife professionals if removal becomes absolutely necessary in your Georgia neighborhood.