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Home Page > Environment and Planning > Pest Control > Foxes
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The Urban Fox


Picture of a FoxThe fox is a resourceful and adaptable wild animal and over recent years there has been a sharp increase in the number of foxes living in urban areas. For foxes to thrive, they need somewhere to hide, particularly during the day, and a reliable supply of food and water. A fox hole, or earth, is often constructed in open ground though may be located under a shed or outbuilding. In urban areas foxes have become highly adaptable in terms of food. Foxes will take rats, mice, frogs, toads and poultry, where available. However, they have become equally skilled at scavenging from dustbins, compost heaps and bird tables.


Keeping Foxes out of Gardens


Controlling foxes in urban areas can prove to be very difficult. The following general advice may help to discourage them and reduce potential conflict if you wish to do so:

  • A product sold by garden centres under the name "Renardine" when applied to gateposts, fences, the base of trees and the point where foxes enter and leave the garden, may act as a deterrent. 
  • As far as possible domestic rubbish should be kept in a bin with the lid tightly fastened down. Bags of rubbish should not be left at night where foxes can rip them open. 
  • Do not use organic fertilisers such as bonemeal, dried blood, hoof and horn, etc. 
  • Do not put food waste onto a compost heap. 
  • Do not leave food overnight on bird tables. 
  • Make sure domestic animals, particularly rabbits and poultry, are securely locked away at night. 
  • To discourage foxes from digging shallow holes, lawns can be treated with products available from garden centres, which will destroy worms and insect larvae. 
  • A wire fence constructed at the boundary of the property may prove to be the ultimate deterrent providing it is at least 6 feet (2 metres) high and deeply buried into the ground.

Removal of Foxes

 

The Pest Control Section does not provide a fox removal service. However, a number of private pest control companies will provide a service on a fee paying basis. Details of companies appear in Yellow Pages and other trade directories.

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