How to identify a fox infestation

 

Fox’s like to live in shallow burrows known as earths or dens. They often dig these under sheds or decking. The entrance to a fox den is usually around 20cm wide, so look around your garden holes around this size.

 

Other things to look out for are, small shallow holes in flower pots and lawns. Rubbish strewn across the garden. Droppings in prominent places. A pungent musky smell. Shallow digs under fencing for access.

 

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How fast can a fox infestation grow?

 

This depends on the time of year.

 

December - March

 

Dispersal and mating season. Early in this period foxes that where born in the previous year leave or are chased out of the den and are out and about looking for their own territory and a mate. This can be a noisy affair!

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Young Vixens will often prepare a den (hole/burrow in the ground, or under decking, or under a shed etc) for her cubs to be born in.

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An established den will have a male and female and may also have a vixen who was born last year but has been allowed to stay in order to help with new cubs.

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March - November

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Cubs are born in March. An average litter size is five cubs so you can expect to have around seven or eight foxes on average living in your garden for this period. The cubs start to venture out around April and are hard to distinguish from the adults by September.

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Diseases foxes may carry

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Toxocariasis. Weil’s disease. Hydatid disease. Sarcoptic Mange. Fleas and ticks. Rabies. Britain is currently rabies free.

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How to get rid of foxes

 

If foxes are passing through your garden but have not set up a den then the suggestions below are probably the way to go. However if you do have a den in your garden or are having problems with persistent fox’s then we suggest professional pest control in order to remove the dominant, troublesome animal or animals from their territory.

 

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Fox Deterrant And Proofing Suggestions

 

Make your property fox unfriendly.

 

· Store rubbish in sealed bins.

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· Remove anything edible such as pet food, bird food, fallen fruit etc.

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· Remove heavy undergrowth.

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· Do not use plant food with animal products in them such as bone meal.

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· Vulnerable pets or poultry should never be left to free range unsupervised.

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· Children’s toys should be put away every night.

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· Use an enclosed composter as compost heaps contain grubs, worms and other wildlife foxes feed on.

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· Cover garden lighting cable and irrigation systems in metal conduit or plastic guttering.

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· Sheds should be sited in the centre of a solid concrete slab or paving slabs. This concrete base should be wider than, and overlap the shed in order to prevent foxes digging underneath. If the shed is to be placed in the corner of the garden it should be placed as close as possible to any fencing, eliminating any possible gaps which can be used as fox harbourages.

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· Decking. Paving slabs can be laid adjacent to decking to prevent foxes from digging underneath and setting up home. Two inch galvanised steel mesh can be used to block any access points around the sides.

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· Bristle strips can be fixed to the top of fencing or walls to discourage foxes climbing over. Paving slabs or steel mesh can be laid/dug in, along the bottom of fences in order to deter digging under. Metal rods can also be driven into the ground in order to create an underground fence.

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· Steel mesh can be attached to metal railing type gates and fencing using cable ties to prevent foxes squeezing through gaps.

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· Scent deterrents can be effective. Two of which we have found helpful are “scoot” and “get off my garden cat and dog repellent”.

 

 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us

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02084 518867

07984794186

info@barrattandsons.co.uk

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