What to do if a Fox is Around Your House: A Comprehensive Guide
Encountering a fox near your home might be unsettling, but understanding the proper steps is crucial. Learn what to do if a fox is around your house? by removing attractants, ensuring your safety, and coexisting peacefully with these wild neighbors.
Understanding Fox Behavior and Urban Adaptation
Foxes, particularly the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), are increasingly common in urban and suburban environments. They are adaptable creatures, often drawn to residential areas by the readily available food sources and shelter they can find. Understanding their behavior is the first step in knowing what to do if a fox is around your house?.
- Adaptation: Foxes are opportunistic and have adapted to scavenging and hunting in human-altered landscapes.
- Denning: They often establish dens under decks, sheds, or in dense vegetation.
- Activity: While primarily nocturnal, foxes can be seen during the day, especially during breeding season or when raising young (kits).
- Diet: Their diet consists of rodents, insects, fruits, and occasionally, unsecured pet food.
Removing Attractants: The Key to Prevention
The most effective way to discourage foxes from frequenting your property is to eliminate what attracts them in the first place. This is a critical component of what to do if a fox is around your house?.
- Secure Garbage: Use tightly sealed garbage cans and ensure they are stored securely.
- Remove Food Sources: Pick up fallen fruit from trees, clean up spilled birdseed, and don’t leave pet food outside.
- Control Rodents: Reduce rodent populations around your property. Foxes are attracted to areas with abundant prey.
- Clean Grills: Clean grills after each use to remove food residue.
Protecting Pets and Poultry
Foxes can pose a threat to small pets, especially cats and small dogs, as well as backyard poultry. Taking preventative measures is key to protecting your animals and understanding what to do if a fox is around your house?.
- Supervise Pets: Always supervise small pets when they are outside, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Secure Poultry: Keep chickens and other poultry in secure coops with wire mesh that is buried at least 12 inches deep to prevent digging.
- Fencing: Install a fence that is at least six feet high, with an outward-facing overhang or buried wire mesh to prevent climbing or digging.
Maintaining a Safe Distance
While most foxes are not aggressive towards humans, it’s essential to maintain a safe distance and avoid direct interaction. This is a crucial element of what to do if a fox is around your house?.
- Avoid Feeding: Never feed foxes. Feeding them can lead to habituation and increased boldness.
- Make Noise: If you encounter a fox, make noise by shouting, clapping your hands, or banging pots and pans to scare it away.
- Stay Away: Avoid approaching or touching a fox. Even if it appears friendly, it’s still a wild animal.
Recognizing Signs of Rabies and Distemper
While rare, foxes can carry rabies or distemper. Knowing the signs is essential for protecting yourself and your pets. This knowledge is essential to what to do if a fox is around your house? should there be any signs of illness.
| Symptom | Rabies | Distemper |
|---|---|---|
| ——————- | ——————————————————————————————————– | ——————————————————————————————————- |
| Behavior | Aggression, disorientation, paralysis, excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing. | Lethargy, depression, circling, head tilt, seizures. |
| Physical Symptoms | Foaming at the mouth, erratic movements. | Discharge from eyes and nose, thickened footpads, muscle tremors. |
If you suspect a fox has rabies or distemper, contact your local animal control or wildlife agency immediately. Do not approach the animal.
Dealing with a Fox Den on Your Property
If a fox has established a den on your property, it’s best to wait until the kits are weaned (usually around late summer) before taking steps to discourage them from returning. This needs careful consideration when asking “what to do if a fox is around your house?” and has made its home there.
- Humane Deterrents: After the kits have left, use humane deterrents such as bright lights, loud noises, or motion-activated sprinklers.
- Seal Entry Points: Seal any entry points to under decks or sheds.
- Professional Assistance: If you are unable to safely remove the foxes, contact a professional wildlife removal service.
FAQs
What are the main reasons why foxes come into residential areas?
Foxes are drawn to residential areas because of the readily available food sources, such as unsecured garbage, pet food, and rodents, as well as the potential for shelter under decks and sheds. Their adaptability makes them successful at exploiting these resources.
Is it safe to approach a fox?
No, it’s never safe to approach a fox. Even if a fox appears friendly, it is still a wild animal and can be unpredictable. Approaching a fox increases the risk of being bitten or scratched, which could potentially transmit diseases.
What should I do if a fox approaches me aggressively?
If a fox approaches you aggressively, make yourself look large by raising your arms, yelling loudly, and throwing objects towards it. Back away slowly while maintaining eye contact. Report the incident to your local animal control or wildlife agency.
Can foxes carry diseases that are harmful to humans?
Yes, foxes can carry diseases that are harmful to humans, including rabies and certain parasites. While rabies is rare, it is fatal if left untreated. Always avoid direct contact with foxes and seek medical attention if you are bitten or scratched.
How can I tell if a fox is sick or injured?
Signs of illness or injury in a fox include lethargy, disorientation, difficulty walking, excessive salivation, or visible wounds. If you observe a fox exhibiting these symptoms, contact your local animal control or wildlife agency.
Will a fox attack my pet?
Foxes can attack small pets, particularly cats and small dogs. Supervise your pets when they are outside, especially at dawn and dusk, and keep them on a leash.
Are fox dens dangerous to humans or pets?
Fox dens themselves are not inherently dangerous, but it’s best to avoid getting too close to them, especially during the spring and summer when foxes are raising their young. Keep pets away from dens to prevent conflicts.
Is it legal to trap or kill a fox?
The legality of trapping or killing a fox varies depending on your location. Check with your local wildlife agency for specific regulations and restrictions. Humane deterrents are generally preferred over lethal methods.
What are some humane ways to deter foxes from my property?
Humane ways to deter foxes include removing attractants, using bright lights, loud noises, motion-activated sprinklers, and sealing entry points to under decks and sheds.
Should I call animal control if I see a fox in my yard?
If the fox appears healthy and is not exhibiting aggressive behavior, it is usually not necessary to call animal control. However, if the fox is acting strangely, showing signs of illness, or behaving aggressively, contact your local animal control or wildlife agency.
What is the best time of year to try and deter foxes from denning on my property?
The best time to deter foxes from denning on your property is in the late summer or early fall, after the kits have been weaned and have left the den. This avoids disturbing the animals and disrupting their breeding season.
How can I help educate my neighbors about coexisting with foxes?
You can help educate your neighbors by sharing information about responsible wildlife management practices, such as removing attractants, securing pets, and avoiding feeding foxes. Encourage them to contact local wildlife agencies for further assistance. Always remember to what to do if a fox is around your house? requires a community effort for long-term success.