The fox is a mammal that is opportunist in nature. Elusive, the fox does not seek contact with humans and yet, it will take advantage of the opportunities we offer to it in the towns and cities.
The Urban Fox
Solitary in habit, the red fox mainly lives, hunts and sleeps alone, unless it has young. They are more active at night, their pointy faces and lithe frame a common sight darting across roads in towns and cities.
They are rarely a nuisance but there are some of their habits that can cause us distress;
- Nocturnal Habits – foxes are scavengers. They will rummage through bins, compost bins and anything where they smell food such as a rotting chicken carcass. The shuffling, the noises, bin lids falling etc. is often depicted as a common night time noise in the city.
- The Mating call – a piercing eerie sound, the female fox, the vixen, will call to male suitors during the mating season. A loud and unpleasant ‘scream’ repeated several times, there is little to be done about the mating call. It will pass after a few days when the mating season ends.
What can TAH Environmental Do About Foxes?
Foxes, like all other animals, must be treated humanely. They cannot be hunted with dogs or be caused unnecessary suffering.
The urban fox will be attracted to areas where there is food. Simple preventative steps such as tight fitting bins lids on compost, waste and recycle bins etc. will deter the fox.
Foxes can only be trapped and euthanized, or shot. Clearly, a pest controller roaming the city or town streets at night with a rifle is not the best nor the safest solution.
Euthanizing any animal is expensive and not an expense many people are prepared to pay.
Our Solutions
At TAH Environmental, we have worked with many homeowners, tenants and business customers to make the outside area of their properties less attractive and appealing to foxes.
We also work with landowners to ensure foxes are not causing damage to their land or property, ensuring that livestock such as chickens and ducks, are protected as much as possible with fencing.
We can offer night time surveillance and control with the use of night vision equipment as one of the many solutions to effecting controlling foxes.
