How to keep coyotes out of your backyard – 5 natural ways to deter these wild creatures before they become a problem

Known by many names including the American jackal, prairie wolves or bush wolves, coyotes are a species of wild canine that are highly adaptable, and found across various states.

As much as it's great to see all forms of wildlife thriving, having coyotes visit your yard can cause harm to surrounding ecosystems and even pets. So it's best to deter them as much as possible, whether you're using pest repellent plants or other tips and tricks to keep their paws away from your property.

After talking to gardening experts who are all too familiar with coyote visitors, we gathered a comprehensive guide on some of the best natural methods to keep coyotes out of your yard.

1. Grow barrier plants

If the perimeter of your yard is easy for coyotes to slip into, they're going to walk in and out as they please. But if you plant barrier plants around the edge of your yard - dense intruder proof hedge plants that will serve as a natural wall between your yard and pests - they're going to struggle to make it through to your yard space.

Tamara Hogan, plant expert at Fast Growing Trees, says, 'Barrier plants are a defensive landscaping technique of planting for home security that helps to deter animals from crawling through a space and onto your property. Some good examples of plants to use are barberry or firethorns as they have very dense foliage in addition to thorns.'

Firethorns, otherwise known as pyracantha, are available in many varieties including the pyracantha 'goldrush' available from Secret Garden Growers, and grow well in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 to 9. Whereas barberry thrive in zones 3 to 8 depending on the variety. Make sure to check the compatibility of different barrier plants before planting them up in your yard.

Barrier plants are additionally a great, scenic way to help create privacy without blocking light from entering your yard - so win, win.

Tamara Hogan

Tamara Hogan graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture and an emphasis in Greenhouse Management. She worked within various horticulture fields before joining Fast Growing Trees.

2. Install a fence

If barrier plants aren't working or will take too long to grow if you're starting from scratch, adding in a fence to create a literal barrier between your yard and coyotes will help. Though it's important to note that coyotes can jump quite high - in some cases over eight feet.

Tammy Sons, CEO of TN Nursery, says, 'If you're debating whether to fence your backyard to keep coyotes away I recommend using a high one over six feet with a roller bar or barbed wire at the top. These animals are tricksters so you'll need all the deterrent quality you can get.'

Installing roller bars at the top of your fence like the ultimation pack of 2 10" long roller and bracket set from Amazon will make it harder for coyotes to climb over into your yard as their paws can't grip the surface. It's also the more animal-friendly option out of the two, and can easily adhere to your fence by securing the brackets.

Tammy Sons

Tammy Sons is a horticulture plant expert, garden writer, and educator. Tammy is the CEO and founder of TN Nursery, a thriving online plant nursery based in Altamont, Tennessee. She is also a prolific writer, sharing her knowledge through articles on various gardening topics, including plant care, sustainable landscaping, and the latest trends in horticulture.

3. Deter coyotes with fragrant plants

There are many beautiful, fragrant plants that coyotes detest the scent of, so adding a few of these into your spring gardening schedule is bound to help keep coyotes at bay, without creating an eyesore in your yard.

Paul LeBlanc, owner of Bloomist, says, 'Coyotes have an incredibly keen sense of smell, which they use for hunting and navigating their territory. By strategically incorporating certain plants into your landscaping, you can create a natural pest control barrier that discourages coyotes from entering your yard.'

Paul breaks down three common plants that coyotes can't stand:

1. 'Lavender: This hardy perennial not only adds beauty to your garden but also emits a calming fragrance that humans enjoy while repelling coyotes. (The Phenomenal Lavender Plant from The Sill is a popular choice, and even boasts its pest-deterring qualities.)
2. Marigolds: These vibrant annuals are easy to grow and maintain, and their pungent odor is known to deter pests, including coyotes. These French marigold seeds from Amazon are Amazon's Choice, blooming into gorgeous oranges and reds.
3. Mint: Spearmint and peppermint are a great pest deterrent, and they're one of the best mouse repellent plants, but coyotes also can't stand their strong scent. They are vigorous growers that spread quickly, making them ideal for planting along borders or near entry points to create a fragrant barrier.' The hydroponic city seed starter trays from Amazon are suitable for outdoor use or sitting on your windowsill. Perfect for getting your mint seedlings started then transferring outside.

If you're unable to add more to your yard or would rather seek an alternative route, you can invest in sprays for garden use like the mighty mint peppermint oil insect and pest control spray with concentrate from Amazon and spray it in problem areas of your yard. Though it's important to be mindful of how these scents can impact pets.

4. Use a motion sensor

Motion sensors are a more hands-off approach to deterring coyotes but they can make a world of difference. The two main types to look out for are ultrasonic devices like the 2024 upgraded ultrasonic pest and insect repellent from Amazon which deters pest through emitting high frequency noises, and motion sprinklers such as this motion activated sprinkler repellent for yard, also from Amazon. When a coyote walks within a certain radius of the sprinkler, they will be suddenly sprayed with water and humanely scared away.

Paul says, 'Coyotes are wary of sudden movements and noises, so utilize motion-activated sprinklers or outdoor security lights to startle them. Solar-powered options are ideal for areas without readily available electrical outlets.'

Paul LeBlanc

Paul LeBlanc owns Bloomist, a purveyor of sustainable, nature-inspired garden accessories and home decor. Celebrated for timeless design and exceptional craftsmanship, Bloomist curates hand-thrown pots, live plants, artisan-crafted accents, and garden essentials, all crafted to deepen connections with the natural world.

5. Avoid leaving food scraps in your yard

Many nocturnal animals scour their local area for food scraps to stay warm and full, so if your garden becomes known as a spot for food, you're going to have unwanted visitors. Coyotes won't just come after compost heaps with items you shouldn't compost, but also scraps left out for birds and neglected pet food. All three experts agree it's incredibly important to keep outdoor food sources to a minimum, and bird food should be secure and not include human food scraps like bread overnight.

Tammy says, 'Make sure any food sources, like pet food or open trash, are stowed away safely or removed completely.'

Tamara echoed this, adding, 'All animals need three things - food, shelter, and water. So the best way to keep coyotes off of your property is to remove items that alleviate these needs. For instance, keep your property clean from garbage and secure your trash cans so coyotes can't search for food scraps.'

Paul suggests feeding your pets indoors and routinely inspecting your yard for fallen fruit from homegrown harvests to prevent your neighboring coyotes from finding their next snack in your yard.

'Outdoor pet food is an open invitation to coyotes and other wildlife,' says Paul. 'Always feed pets indoors and clean up any spills promptly. In the same vein, don't forget to pick up fallen fruit from trees as they can attract coyotes as well.'

Combining these good habits with other preventative measures such as a secure fence and fragrant plants should have your yard coyote-free in no time.

If rats and mice are the predominant problem in your yard instead of coyotes fear not, for there are many ways to make them scurry out of your yard. Here are five smells rats and mice hate, as well as specifics on how to keep rats away from your yard.