| 1) Digging in Gardens |
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There will likely be a certain amount of disruption to a garden which is part of a foxes feeding ground as it digs for food such as worms and beetles. However, this shouldn't be to the extent that it causes considerable damage. If the digging is concentrated in one place, in a sheltered part of the garden and it is winter or early spring it may be that it is a vixen looking for a den site. In summer it may be naughty cubs practicing their skills. These two possibilities are best dealt with using the general deterrence steps listed below. If the digging is more random and generally in your flower beds consider the fertiliser you are using. Many contain blood or bone meal which of course smells like dinner to a fox. He is digging trying to locate the tasty morsel making that smell. The simplest solution is to change your fertiliser. |
| 2) Fouling |
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If your garden is the site of excessive fouling then it could be that you are on the border of a territory and so the foxes feel the need to mark there regularly to reinforce their 'ownership'. Follow the steps below for general deterrence. |
| 3) Noise |
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Some find the noises made by foxes disturbing, largely because they sound like screaming or animals fighting. They tend to be rather less disturbing once they are understood. Most noise made by foxes will be between the months of September and January. In September, cubs leave their parents and seek their own territories. At this point there will be competition between individuals for space. This rarely leads to serious fights and two foxes can sometimes be seen standing on their hind legs, their front legs on each others shoulders, ears back and "cackling" at each other. This is nothing to be concerned about and this period will only last a short time. Then in December foxes mate and can then be heard calling to each other. Again this is nothing to be concerned about and will only last a short time. If foxes continue to make noise outside of these times, or the noise is excessive, then general deterrence as described below should help. |
| 4) Killing of Pets |
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We've owned rabbits and poultry ourselves
so we know only too well how much they mean to their owners. We understand
that to see a much loved pet be killed is extremely distressing.
However, it is important to realise that foxes are only doing what
comes naturally and not to overreact and anthropomorphise by accusing the fox of being
malicious or evil. There are often accusations that foxes kill for fun.
This is not true - only humans are guilty of this. The old story of a fox
in a hen house killing more than it can eat is easily explained. A fox is
stimulated to kill by the presence, sound, smell and movement of a
prey animal. If there is one such animal it will kill one. If there are
thirty it's instincts tell it to keep killing. Bear in mind that nowhere
in nature would a prey species be congregated and confined in such a small
area. The fox lacks the foresight to understand how many it can and can't
eat. It is operating on a purely instinctive level. |