Seeing a fox in your backyard can be alarming at first, but there are several steps you can take to handle the situation safely and humanely. Foxes are opportunistic animals that are drawn to areas with ample food and shelter. By understanding their behavior and modifying your yard to make it less appealing, you can usually encourage foxes to move on without much intervention.
Assess the Situation
The first step is to simply observe the fox from a distance to get a sense of its age, health, and temperament. Healthy foxes will appear clean with shiny coats, clear eyes and responsive alert ears. Foxes infected with mange may appear underweight with patchy fur loss. Mother foxes with kits will be protective and defensive, while solitary juvenile foxes are often curious and not easily frightened. Seeing foxes during the day is normal, especially for mothers hunting food for their kits. Observe the fox’s behavior and signs of distress — such as circling, staggering, or crying — which may indicate the fox needs help. Avoid interacting with foxes exhibiting concerning behaviors and contact wildlife rescue instead.
Protect Pets and Livestock
Foxes pose little danger to people, but pets and backyard livestock may be vulnerable. Make sure pet food and water dishes are not left outside when pets are not present. Keep cats indoors and small dogs supervised in fenced areas. House chickens, ducks and other poultry in secure coops at night. Foxes can squeeze through very small spaces, so ensure any outdoor pens have buried fencing skirting the ground by at least 12 inches. Livestock guard animals like livestock guardian dogs, donkeys, or llamas may deter foxes.
Remove Attractants
The key to deterring foxes is eliminating what draws them to your yard. Foxes are attracted to easy sources of food, water and shelter. Make sure trash and compost bins have tight fitting lids and do not contain food waste. Clean up fallen fruit from trees. Bird feeders should have catch trays to prevent seed spillage, and bird baths should be emptied regularly. Keep pet food inside, except when pets are present. Do not feed foxes! Leaving food out encourages them to return and teaches them to associate yards with easy meals. Eliminate potential den sites like brush and wood piles, elevated sheds, openings under porches/decks, and gaps in foundations. Stop up potential den holes and ensure any vents or openings have screens to block access.
Use Deterrents
Once attractants have been removed, additional deterrents can make yards even less welcoming to foxes. Strategically placed lighting can make foxes uncomfortable entering or lingering in a space. Motion-sensor lights and spotlights aimed at potential fox paths and den sites help convince foxes to avoid lit areas. Sprinklers set on motion detectors or timers also effectively startle foxes and deter them from entering yards. Strong smells from ammonia soaked rags or predator urine repellants placed around the perimeter may also discourage foxes from entering. Finally, noisemakers such as rattlers, bangers, or loud music are useful when foxes are first spotted to scare them away from yards.
Exclude Foxes
If foxes have taken up residence under decks or sheds, exclusion is necessary to evict them permanently. Carefully identify all possible entry points and seal them up with wire mesh, rocks, wood or metal flashing. Avoid using plastic sheeting or flimsy wire fencing, which foxes can easily tear through. Be absolutely certain there are no foxes (or kits) still inside before completely sealing up den entrances. The optimal exclusion times are from late June to late August when kits are independent. Excluding a mother and her kits too early often separates them and causes the kits to die. Be prepared to hear whines or cries from excluded foxes wanting to get back in. These behaviors typically stop within a few days as foxes move on.
Consider Fox Deterrent Fencing
In some cases, installing specialty fox fencing may be warranted to keep foxes from entering yards. Effective fox fencing uses a combination of exclusion techniques. Fence lines should either be L-shaped, with a section buried outward at the base to prevent digging underneath, or use a wire mesh apron secured on the ground outside the fence. Fences should be at least 5-6 feet high and constructed of woven or welded wire fencing. Small spacing (2″ x 4″) prevents foxes from attempting to climb or squeeze through openings. A hot wire option along the top delivers a non-lethal electric shock when touched and further deters climbing attempts. Professional installation is recommended for best results.
| Fence Height | Fence Material | Fence Base |
|---|---|---|
| 5-6 feet | Woven or welded wire fencing | Outward facing buried L-shaped base or wire mesh apron |
Try Fox Repellents
There are a variety of commercial fox repellents available that claim to make yards undesirable. These usually contain urine, feces, or scent gland extracts from predators like coyotes, wolves, or foxes. Brands like Shake-Away, Fox Away, and Deer Off incorporate these ingredients into granular products that can be spread along fence lines or throughout yards. The goal is to trigger foxes’ innate fear of predators and convince them the area is too risky. Some anecdotal evidence suggests these work for a short time, but results are mixed. Rainy or humid weather can dilute scents, requiring reapplication. Follow product instructions carefully when using repellents.
Use Fox Resistant Landscaping
Certain plants and landscaping designs can help deter foxes by eliminating places to hide, play, or den. Avoid dense shrubs, tall grasses, wood/brush piles, and any vegetation giving concealment or refuge. Instead choose open, manicured lawns, sculpture gardens with gravel and stone features, or planted borders using low-growing herbs (lavender, thyme) or native plants with prickly textures. Remove plants giving food and cover, and thin overgrown areas. Creating an exposed, less inviting habitat removes much of the yard’s appeal. Hardscapes like patios, decks, and pathways leave fewer places for foxes to dig dens.
Try DIY Remedies
For adventurous DIYers, there are a number of home remedies said to repel foxes using common household ingredients. Spreading human hair clippings, ground black pepper, or oil of mustard around yards creates an irritating zone foxes will avoid. Sprinkling cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, vinegar, or garlic powders may also mask other attractants. Others recommend sticking bars of deodorant soap onto fence posts, hanging ziplock bags filled with water overhead, or placing plastic owls around yards to frighten foxes. Many claim these tactics are effective, but they require regular reapplication and results vary.
Call Animal Control
In situations involving sick or injured foxes,orphaned kits, or fox dens in very problematic areas (like under porches), contacting animal control may be appropriate. Depending on location, services may include advice, fox removal, wildlife relocation, or coordinating rescue and rehabilitation. Choose humane exclusion methods whenever possible. Lethal removal should only be considered in extremely compelling cases where a fox poses an immediate, direct threat to human health and safety.
Hire Professional Fox Control
For serious or persistent fox problems, contacting a wildlife control professional may be warranted. Reputable companies use humane exclusion and deterrent techniques tailored to specific situations. They can conduct advanced exclusion jobs, install commercial-grade deterrents, provide fox-resistant fencing solutions, and offer other specialized services unavailable to homeowners. Costs vary depending on the control methods used and materials required. Be sure to verify licensing, check reviews, and understand all services (and guarantees) provided before hiring any contractors.
Coexist with Caution
In many cases, foxes are transient visitors simply passing through yards on their way to more suitable habitat. Assuming no fox dens or kits are present, maintaining your landscape diligently can encourage foxes to move along within a couple weeks. Baby foxes require 4-5 months of parental care until they disperse. Foxes are not always deterred on the first attempt. Be patient, persistent, and use multiple humane tactics for best results. With some committed coexistence effort, foxes and humans can peacefully share suburban spaces.
Conclusion
Spotting a fox in your yard can be startling, but they are usually just searching for food and shelter. By removing attractants, using deterrents, and modifying landscaping to make yards less welcoming, foxes can be discouraged humanely. Exclusion and fencing may be required for persistent fox denning issues. Repellents, scare devices, and professional services provide additional options for difficult cases. With persistence and an understanding of fox behavior, these intelligent wild animals can be safely convinced to move on without unnecessary harm.
