Expert Guide on How to Get Rid of Foxes Yourself

UK wildlife doesn't come much more charismatic - and controversial - than the red fox. This native species is unquestionably cute, and they perform an important role in the environment, reducing the numbers of other pest species like rats and mice.

However, foxes are becoming a problem. Red foxes thrive in cities, where our rubbish provides year-round food and our gardens make great denning sites. Although not dangerous to people, they can be a threat to pets and can make a mess of your property.

As native wildlife, red foxes are not pests, and it's illegal to harm them. But there are ways to stop them from messing up your property without harming them. Here's how to deal with foxes in a humane but effective way.

Understanding Fox Behaviour

What Are Foxes?

Foxes are members of the dog family. The red fox, named for its distinctive reddish-brown fur, is found throughout the UK.

Foxes are nocturnal; they usually only come out at night. They're also territorial and will protect their home from other foxes. These animals are highly adaptable and live in every major British town. Actually, there are more urban foxes than there are in the countryside.

What Do Foxes Eat?

Like dogs - and humans - foxes are omnivorous and eat a wide range of foods. In the wild, they eat small mammals like mice and rabbits, plus birds and their eggs. They will also eat insects, worms, and other invertebrates, and often dig up a lawn for juicy bugs.

They also eat fruit and vegetables, and this omnivorous diet means they can live off just about anything humans eat, including the food we throw away.

That's why foxes are so comfortable living among us. The average city generates all the rubbish foxes need.

What Noise Does a Fox Make?

You can tell a red fox by the noises they make. Foxes are very vocal. They can bark like dogs, make a clicking sound called 'gekkering', whine, yell, and whimper.

They also scream. This is one of their most annoying habits, as the loud screams often sound like a human scream. Foxes usually scream only at night, which makes it even more annoying.

Why Do Foxes Scream?

Foxes scream for a couple of different reasons. One of the main ones is that it's a signal from a female that she's ready to mate. Vixens also scream during mating. Fox mating season happens from December to February, so if you hear foxes screaming at this time, that's why.

However, foxes will also scream to communicate and warn each other of threats. And they scream as part of their territorial disputes with other foxes.

The screams resemble a human woman screaming, so it can be very unsettling. Remember, though, that it doesn't mean the fox is in distress. It's just a natural part of fox life.

Why Do Foxes Visit Your Property?

Human homes provide a lot of attractants for foxes, including:

● Easy access to food via rubbish bins, pet food, and compost bins.

● Good locations for shelter, under garden sheds, in hedges, or underneath garden equipment.

● Lack of predators.

Identifying Signs of a Fox Problem

Common signs of fox activity on your property include:

● Scattered food scraps from your rubbish bins

● Dug up flowerbeds or lawns

● Fox footprints

● Fox droppings

Fox Droppings

Fox droppings resemble those of dogs, but they are more tapered with pointy ends. They have a unique musky smell and often contain fruit seeds or the fur and bones of small animals.

Foxes use their droppings as territorial markers, so they leave them in very visible places to let other foxes know that this is their home.

To get rid of fox poo, scoop it up with a shovel and put it in a rubbish bag. Use gloves before you handle the droppings, and disinfect the area with a safe cleaning solution, like a household cleaner or a mild bleach spray.

Spotting Fox Dens

Foxes dig dens to raise their pups, also called kits. Often, foxes dig under structures like a garden shed or patio. They also dig in the loose soil of flowerbeds or the base of trees.

If you spot a fox den on your property, don't disturb it. There may be pups inside, and you don't want to scare the mother off before her pups are ready to leave. Plus, it's illegal to try and scare foxes off by putting chemicals down a den.

Preventing Foxes

Remember, it's illegal to harm or harass foxes. That really limits your options and how to get rid of them, so the best thing to do is to prevent yourself from having a problem in the first place. Here's how to make your property less attractive:

Remove Food Sources

● Get tight-fitting lids for bins to keep foxes out

● Don't leave pet food or water bowls outside overnight

● Remove fallen fruit as quickly as possible and fence your compost heaps.

● If you have lawn pests like chafer beetles, treat your lawn to avoid attracting foxes.

Deny Shelter

● Block potential den sites (under sheds, decking, or garages) with chicken wire or steel mesh.

● Remove thick vegetation and long grass.

● Prune hedges and shrubs regularly.

Secure Your Property

● Repair any holes in fences and gates.

● Use wire mesh or chicken wire to block holes, buried one foot deep so foxes can't dig underneath.

● Use anti-climb spikes on fences.

● Motion-activated lights and sprinklers can scare foxes away.

Long-Term Fox Prevention Tips

● Inspect your property regularly for signs of activity.

● Remove rubbish and clutter.

● Fox-proof chicken coops.

● Encourage your neighbours to do the same.

Humane DIY Fox Control Methods

Use Fox Deterrents

Ultrasonic devices make noise humans can't hear, but foxes hate. Place them near bins and around gardens to make your home less inviting. You can also use strong-smelling chemicals like bleach, ammonia, or garlic near your rubbish bins.

Natural deterrents include chilli powder and vinegar. Also, human hair or the urine of other animals like dogs can scare foxes. You can even buy wolf urine to spray in your yard and make foxes think there is a predator nearby.

Foxes don't like noise, so windchimes or even a radio can put them off. Large birds like owls and hawks prey on young foxes, so a decoy statue of a predatory bird may help.

Set Up Fox-Proof Boundaries

The best way to deal with foxes is to keep them out. Chicken wire or steel mesh can fence off your shed, compost bin, or chicken coop, but bury it at least one foot underground so foxes can't dig under it.

When to Call a Professional Pest Controller

Because foxes are protected, there are some very strict legal limits on what you are allowed to do to get rid of them. If your attempts to scare foxes away haven't worked, think about calling a professional. Professionals have access to specialised deterrents and may be licensed to humanely trap foxes to get rid of them.

Legal Considerations

The rules around what you can do to foxes are strict, and can even result in jail time if they are broken. You're not allowed to block or destroy fox dens that are occupied, use dogs to hunt them, gas them, or poison them. You can shoot foxes, but that's not a solution in any urban environment.

Ultimately, the best way to deal with a fox problem is to make your property as unattractive to these animals as possible.

Final Thoughts

Because of strict wildlife laws, the only really effective way to deal with foxes is to make your property unattractive to them. Understanding fox behaviour will help you think like a fox and eliminate attractants like food and good denning sites.

Foxes can be very persistent, so you need to be persistent, too. But it is possible to humanely get rid of foxes if you try the approaches above.

Check out our range of fox deterrents and other products that can help protect your garden from these beautiful but annoying creatures.

At PestBuddy, we're here to empower you with effective, fast, safety-conscious DIY fox control products. Explore our range of products to take control of your pest problems with confidence.