The fox may bring life and colour to an urban neighbourhood but they can also be a nuisance. More recently the number of Urban Foxes has grown quite dramatically due to the fact that waste is more prominently dumped around towns and so the need for them to scavenge for wildlife is greatly reduced.

Problems Caused by Foxes

It is unlikely that a fox will attack a dog or a cat. However, if you keep small animals or birds in your garden then you will need to protect them. Ensure that their cages are stoutly built of strong materials and kept in good repair.

Also be wary of the fact that the urban fox can carry a range of diseases, which can be harmful to both yourself and your pets. Not attracting them in the first place is the only sure-fire way that you and your pets will be safe.

Foxes can also play havoc in your garden by digging up lawns, strewing litter all over the place and causing a general nuisance.

Controlling Foxes

As foxes cannot be controlled conventionally without the input of enormous and expensive resources, or without upsetting other residents, other means of dealing with the nuisance must be sought.

Fox nuisance can be controlled by taking the actions suggested below,which will minimise any problems that they might cause whilst allowing others to enjoy the presence of these animals.

Removing Food Sources

Keep rubbish in bins until the day of collection wherever practical. Make sure bins have lids on and they are properly secured or build some sort of barrier.

• Remove possible sources of food such as scraps from compost heaps.
• Do not put out large amounts of bird food. Use special bird feeders and do not leave food on the ground.
• Do not feed dogs and cats out of doors.
• Make sure that small pets and chickens are housed in strong hutches or enclosures and that foxes cannot dig their way in.

Using Chemical Repellents

When using Chemical Repellents you are effectively “scent-marking” your territory much as a fox does and competing with it to win back your garden. You will need to be persistent in removing a fox's droppings and using chemical repellents in order to succeed.

There are currently no chemical repellents with a specific label recommendation for repelling foxes. However, there are a range of chemical repellents supplied for the home garden market that carry very general recommendations for use against a wide range of animals and birds.

You are advised to read the labels of chemical repellents carefully and if in doubt, further advice regarding its suitability on repelling foxes should be sought from the retailer or manufacturer. It is important to note that chemical repellents should only be used in situations and manner as prescribed by the manufacturers.