Use noise-making devices, such as transistor radios or motion-sensitive alarms.If you want to prevent future denning activity in certain areas where foxes are not welcome, try one or more of these humane, yet effective, approaches: Foxes are excellent diggers, so the best defense is to bury an L-shaped footer of hardware cloth around the perimeter of the area you are trying to exclude. If the den site is under a porch, deck or shed, then it will remain an attractive denning area and not just to foxes. Once the den has been abandoned, make sure all the kits are out of the den before any permanent exclusion is put in place. The purpose of these techniques is to make the parents uncomfortable enough to move the litter to a more secure location. Spread capsicum-based granular repellent around the den entry.Mount shiny party balloons or 12-18 inch lengths of Irri-tape on sticks or poles a few feet off the ground just outside the den entrance.Place urine-soaked kitty litter, a sweat-soaked T-shirt, a pair of smelly sweat socks or old sneakers in or near the den opening.Loosely pack leaves, soil or mulch in the den openings to disturb the residents.Here are a few humane harassment options once the kits have emerged: If you need a fox family to move on sooner rather than later, mild harassment (scaring them away) may encourage an earlier move. How can I get rid of a fox or fox den in my yard? At nine weeks, they will begin to hunt with their parent at this time, it’s safe to encourage them to leave. At this point they are nearly ready to say goodbye to the den site and move on for good.įox kits are born in the spring, usually in March or April, and you’ll see them emerge from the den four or five weeks after birth. If you find a fox family in an inconvenient spot, consider allowing them to stay until the young are old enough to begin accompanying their parents on foraging outings. Read More Hazing Tips What should I do if a fox is under my porch, deck or shed?īoth red and gray foxes dig dens mostly for raising kits, but also to use as shelter from severe winter weather.ĭens under porches, decks or sheds are not uncommon in urban areas. These foxes can easily be scared away by making loud noises such as yelling or blowing whistles, dousing them with water houses or squirt guns or throwing objects such as tennis balls toward them. If a fox doesn’t appear scared of you, they probably learned to associate people with food (likely because someone has been feeding them) and may exhibit boldness or even approach you. Usually, the best thing to do is leave foxes alone. A fox cutting through your yard is probably just passing through on their way between hunting areas, and no action is necessary on your part. Foxes are afraid of people and will usually run away when they detect your presence, but they may visit your backyard or neighborhood. It’s not unusual for a fox to be seen out and about during the day. Foxes are omnivores, hunting very small animals and scavenging in cities and towns where freely available pet food and garbage can make life easier.

Are fox nocturnal