Fox

Most fox 'nuisance' experienced by people in urban and suburban areas falls into three categories; digging, fouling and noise. The challenge is to keep foxes out of your garden. The first thing to be said is that trapping the fox for relocation, or even killing it, is a waste of time and money. Without doubt another fox will soon move into the displaced foxes territory and your problems will be back. Better to deter foxes from entering garden in the first place. The best way is with suitable fencing, but there are several means outlined below in our 'How to Control' section.

Where are they found?

Foxes have adapted to life in our cities and they are now well established in virtualy all cities and most towns in Britain. Here we will deal with urban foxes.

Habitat:

Foxes thrive in an urban environment because all their basic needs are met: shelter in which to hide and raise cubs; food in abundance and ample water.
In addition, the urban fox has few enemies except the motor car.
Foxes find shelter in derelect buildings, waste land and gardens.
Food is found from discarded take-aways, rubbish bins, natural quarry such as rats and mice, and from people who enjoy feeding foxes in their gardens.
Cubs are frequently raised in quiet corners of gardens, under sheds and buildings, within earths excavated in banks and even under homes.

Habits:

Although foxes are sociable animals, they tend to hunt alone. However, during the mating season of December, January and February pairs of foxes can work together.
Foxes are omnivores and will eat small mammals, birds, insects, fruit and any food discarded by humans.
Foxes tend to follow much the same route every night on their quest for food, so they may always pass by your hen run just in case you have forgotten to close the door.
If they do get into poultry or pets, they will kill until every bird or animal is dead, despite not needing the food. Foxes have been know to fill several hundred hens in a single night, but carry away only one or two.
Foxes can become very vocal during the mating season and the blood-curdling screams can be very alarming if you don't know it is the foxes mating call.