Foxes are small to medium-sized omnivorous mammals, meaning they eat both plants and meat. They belong to the Candiae family, which means they are related to dogs and wolves.[1] You can identify a fox by looking for their bushy tails, slender and whiskered muzzles, and elongated bodies.
There are several different fox species, from the fennec fox and the arctic fox to the red fox and gray fox. If you live in Florida, you will find red and gray foxes in both rural and urban areas. These animals look very similar to domestic dogs, however, you can usually tell the difference by their sleeker frames and flatter skulls.
While it can be incredibly exciting to see a fox on your property, you shouldn’t allow them to call your yard their home. Foxes can do a lot of damage to your property, eat the things growing in your garden, and even harm your pets if you let them roam around outside. Even worse, foxes can contract rabies, which can be passed to you or your animals if you are bitten.
Thankfully, it is possible to deter foxes from your property by removing food sources, making loud noises, and calling a professional fox removal service like Nuisance Wildlife Rangers.
In this article, you will learn:
- What attracts foxes to your yard
- How to repel foxes from your property
- Why you should contact a professional for fox removal
What Attracts Foxes to Your Yard?
Foxes are omnivorous, and they aren’t picky when it comes to food! They might be attracted to your yard if you have a garden that produces fruit or vegetables. Additionally, foxes will eat pet food if you are leaving bowls outside to feed neighborhood cats.
If your yard frequently has small animals like rodents or squirrels, they might come onto your property to hunt. Unfortunately, they will also be attracted by chicken coops or small dogs, as there are common animals that they hunt. Even further, foxes will come to drink out of your water fountains, ponds, swimming pools, or pet bowls containing water.
Lastly, foxes might come into your yard in search of shelter. They like to hide in sheds, timber piles, or crawl spaces under your home. Some foxes will dig holes underground to shelter their young as well.
While foxes are neat, they are still wild animals. If you have a fox problem on your property, you should consider calling a fox control company like Nuisance Wildlife Rangers. We will trap and relocate them without harming them in the process.
How to Deter Foxes From Your Property
If you have foxes coming onto your property, you might be wondering how to get rid of them. There are several steps you can take to make foxes less likely to be attracted to your yard. However, the best way to deal with a fox problem is to contact a wildlife removal company.
The easiest ways to deter foxes from your yard include:
Removing Food and Water Sources
Foxes are always on the hunt for their next meal, especially if they have babies to feed. Removing food sources from your yard might prevent them from returning.
If you leave pet bowls outside, you should start bringing them inside of your home. This will only encourage foxes to come onto your property for a meal. Additionally, you should avoid composting piles and clean up any fruit that is dropping onto the ground from your trees.
Next, you should start tending to any water on your property. Covering swimming poles and putting fences around water features like fountains or koi ponds will deter foxes.
Making Loud Noises
If you look outside and see foxes in your yard, making loud noises will scare them off. They see humans as a larger predator, so waving your arms around and yelling will cause them to retreat. That being said, you should never get too close to a fox, as they might become defensive and bite you if they feel threatened.
Fox-Proofing Your Garden
Foxes scavenge for food on your property, so you should always make sure they do not have access to your garden. This is especially important if you are growing fruits and vegetables, as foxes will start to associate your garden as a spot to find food.
To fox-proof your garden, you can install chicken wire around the barrier. You could also use an electric fence if you are worried about foxes returning to your property.
Hiring a Professional Fox Removal Service
Lastly, the best way to ensure that foxes do not return to your yard is by hiring a fox removal company. At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we use a humane and ethical approach to all wildlife removal. This means we will not harm the foxes while we are removing them from your property.
Instead of hurting the foxes, we will use live bait traps to secure them. Then, we will bring them to a remote area or a rehabilitation center if they need treatment for an illness or injury. We will also help you set up deterrents to prevent other foxes from returning in the future.
Get Connected With a Professional Wildlife Control Company
If you are struggling with a fox infestation, it’s time to consider professional help. Foxes can be dangerous if you approach them, especially because they can contract diseases like rabies. Instead of trying to remove them yourself, allow Nuisance Wildlife Rangers to take care of the problem for you.
Contact us today for more information on how we can help you solve your fox problem.
References:
- Mass.gov: Learn About Foxes