Fox Fact Sheet

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Infestation Identification: The main species of fox in the UK is the Red Fox, which has orange-red fur usually with black tips on the ears and a white tipped bushy tail. Red foxes vary in size, they range from 18 – 34 inches long not including their tails which are between 12 – 22 inches in length.

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Common Names: 

Vulpes Vulpes – Fox

Vixen – Female Fox

Dog – Male Fox

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Diet: Foxes are omnivors and will feed on fruit, vegetables, berries and any small animal such as; mice, rats, rabbits, frogs, birds, and worms. They also enjoy eating pet food. 

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Habitat: The most common places foxes will be seen are in towns and cities because it is generally easier for them to forage for food than it is in the countryside. They will dig burrows under sheds, under trees, in dense bushes and if they have access, they will live in sheds and garages.

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Prevention: It is very difficult to prevent foxes from entering gardens because they are agile climbers and can squeeze through small gaps. It is recommended that proofing spikes are installed onto fences, shed and garage roofs and anywhere foxes will be able to climb onto to gain entry in gardens. We strongly recommend feeding pets indoors, because foxes will be attracted to pet food and they take every opportunity they can to get a free meal.

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Life Cycle: A fox life expectancy is between 1 and 4 years, this depends on their environment and their food source. Foxes mate in winter months and the Vixen gestation period is 45 - 58 days, then she will give birth to 2 – 12 pups. The pups have brown or grey fur until they grow their new red fur, which is usually after 4 weeks.

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General Information: Foxes are usually nocturnal and shy of humans. To mark their territory foxes will urinate and use their scent glands on their feet, they usually live in pairs or families. A fox can be infected with Leptopirosis, fleas, ticks, Toxocariasis and Sarcoptic Mange. Mange is a very contagious skin condition caused by mites, they symptoms are skin irritation and hair loss and can be fatal if left untreated. Mange can be passed onto pets and humans, the human version is called Scabies and will last a few weeks.  Vixens make a screaming / howling sound when courtship takes place or when they are begging for food from the Dog. Foxes are very intelligent and quickly become aware of threats or feeding patterns of pets. Because people are feeding foxes, they are becoming less cautious of humans and becoming tame and approaching humans.

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Treatments: There aren’t any treatments for foxes which can be carried out. We offer a trapping service, this is where we set large live traps in the garden which are baited with meat. All traps which are set must be checked at least once a day. When a fox is caught in the trap, it is important that we are called to remove the fox immediately.

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Quick Facts:

• Foxes are becoming tamer and more confident with humans.

• They live in pairs or families.

• Foxes will get anything they can forage for.

• Sadly, foxes suffer with arthritis.

• Foxes cause damage to gardens by foraging and burying food.

• Vixens make a screaming / howling sound when courtship takes place.

• Foxes carry Sarcoptic Mange, which can be passed to humans and pets.

• A fox life expectancy is between 1 and 4 years

• Red foxes tails which are between 12 – 22 inches in length.

• Pups have brown or grey fur.