Foxes

In recent decades foxes have become more common visitors to our towns where they can scavenge for food.  They will eat almost anything including worms, berries, carrion (such as animals killed on the roads) and small mammals, birds and rabbits if they can catch them.  However by nature they will not bother to hunt prey when they can get a meal more easily by scavenging.

Foxes will take smaller livestock like chickens, and pets such as guinea pigs and rabbits if they are not securely protected but will rarely bother cats and dogs or humans.

Common problems associated with foxes are fouling, digging, scavenging in rubbish and noise. Fortunately there are things you can do to deter foxes and reduce these.

How can I reduce problem with foxes?

• Don't feed foxes.  Although this gives some people great pleasure it can lead to problems for you and your neighbours.  It can reduce the amount of territory they need so increase the number in the area so increase the likelihood of fox problems generally.
• Make sure your rubbish is secure.  A standard domestic dustbin should stop foxes from scaveging in your waste and scatttering it around your garden or along the street.
• Keep your garden clean and tidy.  Foxes can be attracted to the cover in overgrown gardens, especially mothers with cubs.
• Female foxes may dig a den for their cubs under a shed or other garden building.  Putting these on a concrete base will stop this from happening.
• Remove fox scents.  They often repeatedly foul the same place - this is to mark their territory.  Cleaning concrete areas with chemicals like bleach will temporarily mask the smell but not remove it so the fox will go on fouling there.  washing affected areas with a biological washing powder mixed with hot water or an enzyme based product from a vet should break down the residue and reduce the fouling.  Always wear gloves when removing fox waste.  If you persistently clean the same area for a couple of weeks the fox should get the message and stop fouling there.

What can I do to get rid of foxes?

East Northamptonshire Council does not provide a service to treat foxes.  However, if you need to employ someone to control them you may find a private pest control contractor in your local Yellow Pages that can help you.

There are several commercial deterents you can buy to put foxes off coming onto your property.  These are either substances that smell unpleasant to foxes or are electronic devices that make a make a high pitched noise that we cannot hear but foxes can and dislike.

The University of Bristol's fox website is a good source of more information about foxes.