Foxes
What do they look like?
A fully grown fox is slightly larger than a male cat. It
weighs about 6kgs and is about 60cms long - excluding the bushy
tail. All have pointed faces, red brown fur with long black hairs,
a white throat and chest, and black legs.
Where do they live?
Due to suburban development of their natural habitats, foxes
are born and raised in built up areas, and would struggle to
survive in open country.
Foxes dens, called earths, have one entrance and one exit
(bolt hole), and these may be found under garden sheds, in dense
undergrowth, or in banks of earth.
What do they eat?
Foxes kill poultry, domestic fowl, rabbits, etc for
food. They also scavenge for food in unsecured refuse and bin
bags.
What damage do they cause?
Foxes will make an earth under a house if they can gain access
through an airbrick, or by any other means.
Within gardens
- Foxes mark their territory by their droppings or urine although
this is not usually a major problem. Foxes tunnel under sheds or
among shrubs, making large piles of earth or sand. Occasionally
they dig shallow holes in the lawn when they hunt for earthworms or
grubs. (Mainly Autumn)
Livestock
- Foxes kill poultry, domestic fowl, rabbits, etc for food
How do I control them?
To protect chickens, rabbits and other domestic pets, or
prevent access to a garden, a barrier of at least 2 metres high
with a 30cm overhang should be erected and buried into the ground
to a depth of 30cms. Cages and runs for animals should be
constructed of galvanised mesh rather than chicken wire.
Chemical repellents, approved for use against foxes, are often
the most effective way of keeping them away from your property.
These products contain pungent chemicals which, although not
harmful to animals, will make treated areas less attractive to
foxes.
Products of this nature can be purchased at most garden
centres.
When using pesticides always follow the
instructions on the label.
Last Updated on 6/25/2012