Coexisting with Wildlife

Foxes can be drawn to residential areas in search of food. They can rifle through garbage and can be drawn to areas when fed by well-meaning, but misguided people.

It is commonly known that foxes can kill small animals, and chicken in particular – hence the phrase “a fox in the henhouse”. While there is no data on the extent of fox-related poultry deaths in the United States, a 2004 study in the UK found that less than 2% of free-range poultry are killed by foxes each year. Chickens and other birds can be kept safe by being contained in secure enclosures.

Due to, often unfounded, fears of attacks on humans and children in particular, the simple sighting or presence of foxes around human settlement can be considered nuisance. There are also some fears around disease transmission, including rabies. A 1990s study found that around 500 people in the United States sought medical attention after a fox bite per year.

As foxes are territorial, killing them rarely solves human-fox conflict as the territory will be taken over by other foxes.

Tightly secure garbage cans with bungee cords or rope. Store trash bins inside sheds, garages, or other enclosed structures.

Put garbage out the morning of pickup, not the night before.

When composting, use well-secured bins. Don’t add dog/cat waste, meat, dairy, or eggs.

Do not store animal feed outside and put suet bird feeders high off the ground.

Fence vegetable gardens or use a greenhouse.

Install motion-activated outdoor lighting.

Install motion-activated sprinkler systems. (And use a powerful garden water hose to scare away a seen coyote.)

Ensure vulnerable animals who live outside, such as chickens, are housed in secure spaces.

Close off crawl spaces under porches, decks, and sheds.

Foxes have relatively complex language with around 30 different vocalizations recorded. While howling is associated with dogs and wolves, these canids also have a form of howling, which is perhaps closer to a scream, to communicate with others over distance.

Foxes are fast! They can run up to between 30 and 40 mph.

Gray foxes are good climbers – they are the only member of the dog (canid) family that can climb well.

Researchers believe that foxes use the earth’s magnetic field to help them hunt. If they jump on prey in a north easterly direction, they are successful around 73% of the time whereas they are usually unsuccessful if they pounce in other directions. It is believed that they use the earth’s magnetic field as a “rangefinder” to judge distance.