Why Charlotte Homeowners Are Seeing More Coyotes Right Now.

How To Keep Your Kids And Pets Safe

If you have been noticing more coyote sightings around Charlotte lately, there is a reason — and it's happening during the most dangerous time of year for small pets. We hear about coyote sightings every year, but it seems this year we are hearing about them all the time.

It Is Currently Coyote Pup Season

April through June is coyote pup season. During these spring and early summer months, coyote parents are actively hunting for food and protecting dens. Wildlife experts say this is when coyotes tend to become bolder, more territorial, and more aggressive than normal.

That is why homeowners across South Charlotte, Ballantyne, Matthews, Huntersville, Fort Mill, and other suburban neighborhoods are reporting more frequent sightings — sometimes even during daylight hours.  As a "pet mom," myself, of a dog and a cat this increase in coyote sightings in Greater Charlotte is something I'm paying close attention to.

20 FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT COYOTES THAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU

Why Coyotes Are Showing Up in More Neighborhoods

Charlotte’s rapid growth is also contributing to the issue. As development continues pushing deeper into wooded areas, coyotes are adapting quickly to suburban life.

Greenways, wooded buffers, creek corridors, golf courses, and retention ponds—and the Charlotte area has plenty of these—create ideal travel routes for wildlife moving through neighborhoods.

Many people are surprised to learn coyotes now thrive in heavily populated suburban areas. However, the Greater Charlotte area is following the same trend seen in cities across the country where wildlife is adapting to rapid development.

The Biggest Concern for Homeowners

The biggest concern is usually not people — it is pets.

Small dogs and outdoor cats are especially vulnerable during pup season, particularly at dawn, dusk, and overnight. Even fenced yards are not always enough protection. Coyotes can jump fences, squeeze through surprisingly small openings, and move quietly through neighborhoods with very little noise.

Charlotte area homeowners should be especially cautious about:

• leaving small dogs unattended outside
• allowing cats to roam freely
• walking pets near wooded areas after dark
• leaving pet food outdoors overnight
  
  

What To Do If You See a Coyote

One of the biggest mistakes neighborhoods make is allowing coyotes to become comfortable around people.

If you see a coyote in your yard, do not ignore it or assume it will simply move along. Wildlife experts recommend “hazing” coyotes so they maintain their natural fear of humans. That means:

• waving your arms
• yelling loudly
• clapping
• blowing a whistle
• spraying water
• throwing small objects nearby

The goal is to make the animal feel uncomfortable enough that it avoids returning.

A Few Simple Precautions Go a Long Way

Homeowners should also:

• secure trash cans
• remove outdoor food sources
• clean up fallen bird seed or fruit
• supervise pets outdoors
• stay alert near wooded areas and greenways

The good news is that coyotes generally avoid people and most sightings do not lead to problems. But awareness matters — especially during pup season when activity levels increase and coyotes become more protective and aggressive than normal.

For Charlotte-area homeowners, it is another reminder that as the region continues to grow, encounters with wildlife are becoming a more common part of suburban life.

Helping Home Buyers, Sellers, Homeowners Navigate Charlotte Neighborhood Changes Since 1999

As Greater Charlotte continues to grow, encounters with wildlife like coyotes are becoming more common in many neighborhoods. Staying informed and taking a few simple precautions can go a long way toward protecting your family, pets, and property.

If you're thinking about buying or selling a home in the Greater Charlotte area, local neighborhood knowledge matters more than ever.

Nina Hollander with Coldwell Banker Realty has been helping Greater Charlotte home buyers and sellers since 1999 and understands the unique lifestyle, community, and environmental factors that shape our local neighborhoods. Whether you are relocating, moving within the area, or simply exploring different communities, Nina provides the kind of local insight that only comes from decades of experience living and working in the Charlotte market.

First published on www.GreatHomesInCharlotte.com