Pest Control Fact Sheets

Foxes

In urban areas such as Barking and Dagenham the life expectancy of a fox is 14 months
70-80% of fox cubs die before they reach maturity and so never breed
Foxes are mainly nocturnal and hunt during the night but they sometimes venture out during the day
In urban areas, foxes eat a diet of scavenged food scraps, berries, plant bulbs, worms, garden insects, birds such as feral pigeons and the occasional small mammal including rats and mice
Foxes will take pet rabbits and guinea pigs if they are given the opportunity. Using strong weld mesh or chain-link wire on hutches and runs will make pets more secure, chicken wire is not sufficient. Bolts are more secure than hook or twist catches and cannot easily be opened by a fox. Garden pets should be made secure before sunset
Foxes generally avoid contact with dogs and cats
Foxes can carry the same diseases as domestic dogs

Foxes may be heard 'screaming' during the mating season in December and January
In late August and September fox cubs leave their dens and prepare to find new territories of their own. Vixens (female foxes) may be heard calling loudly as they loose control of their cubs. The cubs may be heard squabbling over food and rights to new territories
These sounds are only heard for a few weeks. If you are kept awake by foxes try turning on a light, making a sudden noise or opening the door. Usually these sounds and movements will scare a fox away

Around February vixens look for a place to have their cubs. They may enlarge a hole under a shed, dig under tree roots or into compost heaps to create an 'earth'. Overgrown gardens are attractive to Vixens looking for a place to have their cubs as they provide shelter and plenty of cover
In August and September there are lots of cubs trying to find food and new territories for themselves. They may dig up plant bulbs and create holes in lawns looking for insects to eat. The cubs prefer well-maintained gardens, as digging for food is easier and there is more space for play
This damage usually only occurs for a few weeks. Blocking off the underside of sheds and removing piles of debris and compost heaps before the breeding season will encourage them to look elsewhere. Careful use of deterrents can protect a garden and cause the foxes to move on (please follow manufacturers instructions carefully). Be careful never to block a cub into an 'earth'

During August and September, when the cubs are preparing to move on, toys, shoes and other items may be removed or damaged. Items made of rubber or leather is especially attractive to foxes
This is part of the foxes learning process and normally only lasts a few weeks. They are exploring new objects, playing and finding out what is good to eat. Make sure these objects are shut away before sunset

Rubbish from refuse bags scattered around
Research has shown that the cause of this is more often cats and birds than foxes. Don't put refuse bags out until the morning of collection unless you keep them in a lidded dustbin

There has been no increase in urban fox numbers over the last 30 years
More complaints are received about fox nuisance during the months of August and early September because of the temporary increase in numbers and due to cub activity
Culling of foxes makes no difference to fox numbers overall. Killing the resident fox will encourage other foxes to move in from surrounding areas and, as more food is available to those left, more cubs are produced
Deterrents do work. The problem does not simply move down the road, the foxes usually move to a site where they are tolerated or appreciated
See information on deterrents

Killing and controlling foxes is restricted under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
The Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 makes it an offence to intentionally inflict unnecessary suffering on any wild mammal
There is no poisonous substance authorised for use on foxes
It is an offence to set snares for foxes in a situation where a dog, cat or protected animal may be killed or injured
It is an offence to use a firearm close to a highway or near inhabited properties
It is considered cruel to cage trap foxes and to release them elsewhere. This is because the new territory would be unfamiliar to the fox causing them difficulty in finding shelter and food. They may also be encroaching on another fox's territory and thus lead to fights
The use of gin traps is banned under the Pests Act 1954