The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is widespread across the vast majority of British towns. The fox is an opportunist which has adapted perfectly to urban and suburban environments. It is a small member of the canine family, an omnivore that will eat practically anything.

Man is largely responsible for attracting foxes into the town environment, providing the fox with a ready supply of food and habitat. Although people often enjoy seeing foxes around their homes or in parkland, foxes can cause significant damage and nuisance. Rurally, the fox remains a pest to the farmer but in the towns has become a pest to the gardener and householder.

Hunting for rabbits has been substituted for scavenging in bin bags, and foxes will quite happily dig up your garden in search of earthworms and grubs. Although not a direct threat to you or your pets, foxes often carry fleas and can easily pass on diseases such as distemper, mange and scabies.

Foxes are territorial animals and this behavioural trait can be exploited to discourage them from entering suburban gardens. Their natural behaviour is to mark out their territory by scenting or urinating thereby warning off other foxes.

There are a number of commercially available products on the market which act as repellents by imitating the scent of a fox. ‘Scoot’ is a powder which is mixed with water and performs best on grass and foliage. For bare soil areas ‘Get Off’ which comes in the form of jelly granules works well. There are also electronic devices which deter foxes by, for example, imitating red flashing eyes at night. These have varying degrees of success.

No foodstuff should be left in the garden. Fish, blood or bone meal fertilizers should be avoided as they smell like buried food to a fox.

There are commercial companies who will carry out fox eradication in addition to deterrent work. Details can be found by searching on the internet. However it should be borne in mind that if a fox is destroyed its territory will soon be taken over by another fox. The most successful way to keep foxes out is to make the area unattractive and even threatening to them.

There are two websites which are particularly informative regarding foxes: fox project and the Fox website. Also there is a pre-recorded Fox Deterrent Advice Line on 01892 826222.

Foxes are nervous animals and will run away when faced with humans, however they may bite in self defence if an attempt is made to catch them. If you find a fox trapped in a building, do not try to pick it up. Leave it an escape route out of the building and it will leave as soon as it feels safe to do so.

Foxes will approach homes, either through being inquisitive or seeking food. They quickly learn if the occupiers are friendly or not, and react accordingly.

Foxes eat a wide range of foodstuffs, including small mammals, birds, worms, beetles, berries, rabbits, eggs, insects, fruit and vegetables. Although foxes are predators, foxes are lazy so will not bother with elusive prey, where scavenging a meal will be easier. One third of their food is scavenged or deliberately provided by householders. They readily store their food, usually by burying it in the ground.

Foxes will take livestock such as chickens, ducks, rabbits and guinea pigs if they are not properly secured, but are unlikely to threaten cats, dogs or humans. The fact that they often appear unafraid of humans has more to do with the fact they know how quickly they can move compared to us.

Foxes are predominately nocturnal, however you may see urban foxes out during the day. Most foxes are rather secretive and are usually only seen fleetingly. They spend most of the day in burrows known as earths or dens. Foxes may dig these out themselves, but will also take over rabbit burrows enlarging the openings, or cohabit with badgers. Urban dens may be under garden sheds and outbuildings, in overgrown gardens, or even under the floorboards of houses.

Dealing with fox problems is the responsibility of the owner or occupier of the property where the problem occurs, and a realistic expectation of what can be achieved is essential. Foxes are now established residents of many urban areas and are likely to remain so. They are attracted to gardens by the food and shelter they offer, and some people actively encourage them, by providing food. This may cause problems, and the interests of neighbours should be considered.

Unfortunately there is no simple solution to the problems that foxes cause. The first step is to positively establish that it is in fact a fox causing the problem. Often foxes are blamed for things they have not done; frequently the culprits are stray dogs, cats and even squirrels. Foxes can be identified by their droppings and paw prints.

If you are satisfied that a fox is causing your problem, ask yourself whether it really needs any action. Some problems will solve themselves in the course of time. For example a litter of cubs will disperse as the summer progresses irrespective of any action taken.

Unfortunately, there is no simple solution to the problems that foxes cause. The most effective deterrent is a suitable perimeter fence, however fox-proof fencing can be expensive and unsightly.

Foxes will scavenge food, so domestic food waste should not be easily available. Bin bags and waste should be stored in a suitable receptacle to block easy access; access to areas containing food and pet food should also be blocked. Ensure overgrown areas and accumulations of rubbish and rubble do not build up, as this will encourage foxes to stay in your garden. To stop access to your garden secure fencing and block any gaps.

Foxes can be trapped or snared but only by a professional pest contractor. Foxes can not be poisoned under the legislation "Protection of Animals Act 1911".

There are however, a number of alternative measures that will minimise, if not eliminate fox problems:

1. Do not feed foxes, either intentionally or unintentionally. Ensure that foxes cannot access food put out for other wildlife or pets. Make bird tables inaccessible for foxes to climb onto – erect a covered table at a minimum height of 1.5m (5ft), and always clear away spilt bird food. This will also help prevent birds being attacked by foxes whilst feeding.
2. Store rubbish, especially food waste, in fox-proof metal or plastic containers. Ensure that bin lids are secure and avoid leaving rubbish sacks unprotected. If you have fruit trees, clear away wind-falls.
3. Damage to lawns is sometimes caused by foxes attracted to the presence of worms, beetle larvae, caterpillars etc. These pests can be removed using a commercially available insecticide, but this should only be considered as a last resort. If you have placed a fish-, blood-, or bone meal-based fertiliser on your lawn, foxes will be attracted to this since it smells like buried food.
4. Provide secure, fox-proof accommodation for vulnerable pets and livestock, especially at night. Foxes can bite through ordinary chicken wire; welded mesh provides a much stronger alternative. Foxes can be very determined, especially if they have a ‘taste’ of what is available.
5. Foxes can be excluded from gardens by wire mesh fences. A suitable mesh fence needs to be at least 2m (6'6") high, buried to a depth of at least 45cm (1'6") and with a sheet of smooth material at the top of at least 30cm (1') deep.
6. Chemical repellents can be used to deter foxes from your garden. The repellent has an unpleasant odour or taste which makes the area unattractive to foxes. Only compounds that are approved as animal repellents may be applied and they must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The most effective products are 'Scoot' and 'Get Off My Garden' and are available from garden centres and hardware stores.
7. Fill in excavations, with loose soil as soon as they appear, to prevent foxes moving in. However care must be taken to ensure that the hole is not part of an active badger sett; blocking or interfering with a badger sett without a licence is illegal.

Foxes are not and have never been classified as ‘vermin’, so Central Bedfordshire Council, have no legal obligation to act against them. If you decide to undertake fox control you are advised to employ a professional pest controller