Foxes and the pest control industry go way back. Initially introduced to the British ecosystem by Normans (after 1066) to cull the then astronomical population of rabbits (also introduced by Normans), they were once on our side. They were a valuable asset too, not only are they proficient hunters but they have tendency to surplus kill too. For example, if left in a chicken coup alone, they would undoubtedly kill the lot and cache remaining carcasses in a den for later consumption. For these reasons, the Normans saw foxes as an intelligent method of population control. However, it served as a catalyst to a lengthy war between man and fox which is still being waged to this day.

Maybe people dislike foxes because, despite our superior ranking in the animal kingdom, they manage to outwit us at every turn. The idiom ‘sly as a fox’ is not undeserved. Being crepuscular and solitary, foxes hunt by themselves at hours when human activity is at its lowest. They do so by implementing their extremely acute sense of smell and hearing to locate live prey, such as rabbits, rats and mice. Once the prey’s back is turned, the fox will burst out of its cover to administer a clean kill using its razor-sharp teeth and claws. This hunting method is made possible in part by their vertical pupils, engineered by evolution to better judge the distance of prey in order to make clean kills; exactly the same as cats.

Foxes are frequently condemned to the same strata of pest as rats and mice, but this is unfair; intelligence is how the red fox has survived so long as a non-native species. From a very early age, cubs show signs of understanding the familial hierarchy and acknowledge it through body language and vocalisations. A lower-down fox will exhibit submissive posture when approached by an elder, who will exhibit dominant posture. Scientists have even documented 28 different types of calls ranging from 100Hz to 5,000Hz, including ones for greeting, submission, alarms and contact.

Dangers

By and large they’re a nuisance, trampling flower beds, chewing plants and leaving extremely pungent droppings. Human areas are a fox’s paradise, since we toss half-eaten food away. Consequently we attract rats and mice too, two more fox-favourites.

Fox attacks on humans are extremely rare, but small pets can become targets. A common example is chickens. If not enclosed in a secure pen overnight, foxes will kill not one but all of your flock.

Life cycle

Birth- born blind, deaf and with a short black coat of fur.
Kithood (3-4 weeks)- Father leaves the den to hunt whilst kits (baby foxes) remain by their mother’s side.
Independence (1-6 months)- Father brings home less food. Kits gain eyesight and hearing so begin exploring in the wild, bringing home small prey such as mice, frogs, grasshoppers etc.
Dispersal (6 months)- Kits are undistinguishable from adults. The family splits up and kits are left to fend for themselves.
Death (4-5 years)- after 4/5 years foxes will die of old age if not killed before.

Diet

A few weeks after their birth, a vixen (mother fox) will ween the kits off her milk and begin regurgitating meat so they can develop a taste for it, which they do very quickly despite being omnivorous by nature.

Urban foxes enjoy pigeons, rats and rubbish from any bin but the recycling. Rural foxes take advantage of less frequent food sources such as bird feeders or spilled pet food, while practising their hunting skills on wild prey. Rodents, birds, insects, earthworms, plums, molluscs, crayfish and roadkill are all on the menu for a fox. The variety is one reason they have survived so long in the wild and urban areas.

Their standard daily intake is 0.5-1kg of food. However, they will hunt and kill more on most days and leave carcasses buried in separate holes to save for later and protect their stash from fellow scavengers.

Evidence of intrusion

Trampled plants/dug up beds

Like dogs, foxes will eat grass and certain plants either as a part of their diet or to purge their stomach of indigestible matter.

Half eaten fruit

Foxes are omnivorous and fruit is a large part of their diet, especially plums and berries.

Chewed shoes or toys

Kits have been known to practice hunting on small items in a garden. If you don’t have dogs as pets, the bite marks could indicate the presence of foxes.

Damage to fences

Although the average red fox can leap over 6-foot fences without sweat, sometimes they choose to burrow under the fence, ruining the aesthetic of your fence line.

Faeces

Foxes will often leave their droppings in prominent places to mark their territory.

Rubbish in your garden

Foxes will upturn bins and rifle through the contents, leaving a very blatant mess in your garden.

Holes in lawn

If worms and beetle grubs are lurking under your lawn, foxes will pick up the scent and begin digging without mercy.

Useful tricks & tips

Eliminate food sources

Remove pet food, secure bird feeders, keep pets indoors, and clean thoroughly after eating outside. Ensure rubbish bins are closed and no waste bags are accessible. Clear away any windfallen fruit.

Leave the radio playing

Keep a talk radio station playing outside to deter foxes, not because its deadly boring but because it indicates to them there is a human presence.

Keep the garden tidy

Reduce and remove the number of hiding places for foxes by keeping items stored away and hedges trimmed back.Install a deterrent

Foxes won’t enter areas that are visibly and acoustically hostile. The Defenders Mega-Sonic Fox Repeller provides a solution for foxes using LED lights and ultrasonic sound emissions. Sprinklers are also a good option and the Defenders Jet-Spray Pond & Garden Protector comes with a motion sensor, so the device only activates when movement is picked up.

Fencing

Install a wire mesh fence with a buried skirt and curved top to stop foxes digging underneath or jumping over the top.