Coyotes are active year-round in Central Florida, but once winter hits, their behavior shifts. From January through March, they enter mating season, which means they’re more vocal, more territorial, and sometimes a little bolder than usual. Normally, coyotes steer clear of people, but during this time, you might see them more often, especially in neighborhoods near wooded areas or open fields.

If you’ve spotted a coyote wandering through your yard or heard eerie howls at night, you’re not imagining things. You’re just witnessing nature at work. Understanding what’s happening during this season can help you protect your pets, secure your home, and avoid unnecessary encounters.

Why Coyotes Are More Active in Mating Season

Coyotes only pair up and breed once a year, making winter their busiest season. Males and females seek out mates, establish territories, and prepare for pups that will be born in the spring. This means more movement, more noise, and, unfortunately, a greater chance of coyotes crossing paths with people and pets.

Because they’re so focused on finding a mate and defending their space, coyotes might act differently than usual. They’re still wary of humans, but they may be bolder around homes, especially if food is nearby. Some homeowners notice more coyote activity at dawn and dusk, when they’re most active.

If you’re hearing more howling than usual, that’s likely a group of coyotes communicating—either calling to a mate, warning off rivals, or marking their territory.

Why You’re Seeing Coyotes Near Your Home

Coyotes naturally avoid people, but winter forces them to venture out more often. Food is scarcer in the wild, so they look for easier meals like garbage, pet food, or even rodents in suburban areas.

Another big reason is den sites. Pregnant females start looking for safe, sheltered spots to raise their pups. That overgrown corner of your backyard, the space under your shed, or a wooded area near your fence could look pretty appealing to a coyote searching for a place to settle down.

Once a coyote chooses a spot, it may become more defensive of the area, especially if it thinks it’s a safe zone for raising pups.

Protecting Pets from Coyotes During Mating Season

Coyotes are opportunistic hunters, and small animals, especially cats and small dogs, are at risk. Even larger dogs can run into trouble if a territorial coyote feels challenged. Here’s how to keep your pets safe:

1. Keep pets indoors at night

Coyotes are most active during the twilight hours of dusk and dawn. While they can also be active at night, they tend to move and hunt the most just after sunset and just before sunrise. Keeping pets indoors during these times is especially important, as coyotes are more likely to be on the move looking for food or defending their territory.

2. Supervise pets when outside

Even during daylight hours, coyotes may be present in the area, especially if they have found a nearby food source. If you let your pets out, keep a close eye on them and avoid leaving them unattended. Coyotes may see small animals as an easy meal, especially if they are near the edges of properties. Having a high, secure fence and clearing out hiding spots can reduce the risk.

3. Use a leash

Walking dogs on a short, sturdy leash reduces the chance of an encounter. A six-foot leash gives you more control than a retractable one, which can let your dog wander too far ahead. If a coyote approaches, a shorter leash allows you to pull your pet close and react quickly. Carrying a deterrent, like a whistle or a small air horn, can also be useful in case of an unexpected encounter.

4. Secure outdoor pet food

Leaving pet food outside can attract more than just coyotes; it can bring in raccoons, opossums, and rodents, which in turn attract predators. Coyotes are opportunistic and will return if they find a reliable food source. Feeding pets indoors and cleaning up any leftover food immediately can help prevent unwanted wildlife visitors. If you must feed pets outside, remove any remaining food as soon as they are done eating.

Coyotes are naturally cautious animals, but food and opportunity can override their fear of people. Preventing easy meals and shelter reduces the chance of them lingering near your home.

What to Do If You Encounter a Coyote

Most coyotes avoid humans, but if you find yourself face-to-face with one, stay calm and follow these steps:

1. Stay calm and don’t run

Running can trigger a chase instinct, making the coyote more likely to follow you. Instead, stand tall and assertive, maintaining eye contact without appearing aggressive. Running away signals weakness, which a territorial coyote might see as an opportunity to chase. Keeping a calm but commanding presence helps establish that you are not a target.

2. Make noise

Clapping your hands, shouting, or using a whistle can startle the coyote and make it back away. Coyotes prefer quiet areas where they won’t be noticed, so unexpected loud sounds can be a deterrent. Carrying a noise-making device, such as an air horn, is a good precaution when walking in areas where coyotes have been seen. Using noise in combination with assertive body language can reinforce the message that they should leave.

3. Wave your arms and appear larger

Expanding your size makes you look more intimidating, which can discourage a coyote from approaching. Raising your arms, opening a jacket, or using an umbrella can make you seem bigger. If you’re carrying a bag, raising it above your head can add to the effect. The goal is to convince the coyote that you are not an easy target and that they should leave the area.

4. Back away slowly

Never turn your back on a coyote, as sudden movements can encourage them to follow. Instead, maintain eye contact and step back gradually while continuing to make yourself appear large. Moving too quickly can make you look like prey, so controlled, confident steps are key.

Coyotes that linger near homes or act aggressively may need professional removal. If you frequently see one near your property, it may be time to call for help.

How Wildout Can Help

Coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem, but that doesn’t mean they belong in your yard. If a coyote has been lingering near your home or acting aggressively, it may be time for professional help.

At Wildout Animal and Pest Removal, we specialize in humane coyote control, offering:

1. Property Inspections

We conduct thorough evaluations of your yard and surroundings to identify coyote attractants and entry points. This includes checking for food sources, potential den sites, and areas where coyotes may be slipping through fences. We provide expert recommendations to make your property less inviting.

2. Humane Trapping and Removal

If a coyote is showing signs of aggression or frequenting your yard, our team can handle the removal process. We use humane trapping methods that comply with Florida wildlife regulations.

3. Exclusion Solutions

Preventing future coyote visits is just as important as removing existing ones. We provide fencing recommendations and deterrents to keep them from returning. Coyotes can dig and climb, so specialized barriers and professional-grade deterrents can make a difference.

4. Expert Advice

Not sure what’s attracting coyotes to your home? Our team provides education and ongoing support. We guide you on how to keep your yard secure, store trash properly, and minimize coyote risks for long-term protection.

If coyotes are becoming a problem near your home, Wildout is here to help.

Keeping Coyotes Away from Your Home

Long-term prevention is key to avoiding coyote issues. Making your property less inviting helps keep them from settling nearby.

1. Secure trash bins

Coyotes have an excellent sense of smell and can easily detect garbage left outside. Using wildlife-proof lids or storing bins inside a garage can reduce attraction. If trash day is coming up, take bins out in the morning instead of leaving them out overnight. Double-bagging smelly food waste can also help reduce odors.

2. Remove outdoor food sources

Bird feeders, pet food, and fallen fruit can all attract coyotes, even if unintentionally. While feeding birds can be enjoyable, spilled seed attracts rodents, which then lure coyotes. If you have fruit trees, pick up fallen fruit promptly. Feeding pets indoors and cleaning up outdoor food bowls can eliminate an easy meal source.

3. Close off hiding spots

Coyotes look for sheltered spaces to rest or den, especially in preparation for raising pups. Open spaces under porches, sheds, and decks should be sealed with strong materials to prevent access. Dense shrubbery and overgrown vegetation can also provide cover, so keeping landscaping trimmed helps remove hiding spots.

4. Install fencing

A sturdy, six-foot fence with a buried barrier can be effective in keeping coyotes out. Since coyotes are agile jumpers and diggers, adding an outward-angled extension or underground deterrent strengthens the fence. Chain-link fences are less effective unless modified, while solid wood or vinyl fencing provides better privacy and security.

5. Use deterrents

Motion activated sprinklers can startle coyotes, discouraging them from entering your yard. While this method is not foolproof, combining it with the above measures can help make your property less appealing to coyotes.

Coyotes are adaptable, but taking these steps makes your home less attractive to them. The goal is to remove easy access to food and shelter.

Contact Wildout for Expert Coyote Control

Coyote mating season brings increased activity, but you don’t have to deal with these animals alone. Whether you’re seeing coyotes too close for comfort or just want to make your property less attractive to them, we’ve got the expertise to help.

Don’t wait for a close encounter—call Wildout today and let us handle the problem for you.

Contact Us:

Wildout Animal and Pest Removal

Lakeland

863-315-WILD (315-9453)

Orlando

407-465-WILD (465-9453)

Tampa

813-WILDOUT (945-3688)

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