What You’ll Wish You’d Done When You Hear Coyotes Overnight
Hearing coyotes yipping and howling overnight might not mean they’re right on top of you—but it does mean they’re close enough to care. If you’ve got livestock, outdoor pets, or a coop nearby, it’s a wake-up call.
You don’t want to be the one saying, “I should’ve done something earlier.” A few smart steps now can help you sleep better tomorrow night.
Lock Up Smaller Animals Early
Coyotes don’t mind getting close to people if they know there’s food nearby. That includes chickens, goats, and even barn cats. If they’re not secured before dusk, they’re vulnerable.
Close up coops, latch doors, and double-check fencing every night. Once a coyote gets a free meal, it’ll be back—and it might bring friends.
Add Motion Lights Near Fence Lines
Coyotes are bold, but they don’t love surprises. Motion lights can make them hesitate, especially if they’re paired with a noisy element like wind chimes or a clattering gate.
Install lights at entry points or weak spots in your fence. If something triggers it overnight, at least you’ll know there was movement and where it happened.
Store Feed and Scraps Out of Reach
Leaving feed outside—even in bins—can attract coyotes, raccoons, and rodents. They smell it from farther away than you’d think, and it encourages them to hang around.
Move scraps, pet food, or trash far from your buildings. Store feed in metal or secured plastic containers, and sweep up any leftovers.
Reinforce Low Fence Sections
Coyotes don’t always jump—they squeeze under. Walk your fence line and look for places where the ground is soft or low. If you can fit a boot under it, they can too.
Add landscape timbers or buried wire to discourage digging. A solid bottom edge does more good than a few extra feet of height.
Keep a Spotlight or Airhorn Handy
If you hear something close, having a way to scare them off matters. A powerful flashlight, spotlight, or even an airhorn can break the tension and buy you time.
You don’t need to patrol the yard, but having something loud and bright within reach gives you options if they cross the line.
Track Where They’re Coming From
Coyotes tend to travel the same paths. If you’ve heard them more than once, start paying attention to where the sound comes from and which direction they move.
That’ll help you reinforce the right part of your property or set up deterrents where they’ll matter most. Guessing doesn’t work—watching does.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
