Troubled by Foxes?
The red fox (vulpes vulpes) is a relative of the dog and is native to Britain. It is an intelligent and adaptable animal and has become well established in the suburban environment and it is likely that the fox population in this borough is at a stable maximum.
Although many people enjoy and encourage their presence there are many that find them a nuisance. Most complaints are about smell, damage to domestic refuse sacks, the taking of small domestic animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs and sometimes damage to gardens. Their eerie and alarming calls at night at certain times of the year can be frightening and disturbing to some people.
Foxes are very territorial and after breeding, possibly in an earth under a garden shed or in an overgrown area, the young males will compete for territory. This is often the reason for the screaming noises they make. This strong territorial behaviour is the reason for the constant marking with urine, faeces and scent glands. Foxes, although naturally afraid of humans, can become relatively tame if they are being fed by persons in the neighbourhood and this apparent boldness can give the impression that they could attack.
About Foxes
Are Foxes Dangerous?
There are no fully authenticated reports of foxes attacking humans, even babies. Neither are they known to attack cats or dogs and any such incidents attributed to foxes would certainly be in self-defence when being attacked themselves.
Do Foxes Carry Disease?
They may carry the same diseases and parasites as dogs and cats but the idea that “urban foxes” are all mangy and otherwise unhealthy usually springs from their untidy appearance when moulting. If you do see an obviously diseased or badly injured animal you could contact the RSPCA for advice and they may decide to visit and destroy it.
What do Foxes Eat?
Their natural food comprises worms, grubs, small mammals and birds but their success in suburban areas is very much due to the availability of discarded take-away food and food waste in accessible refuse sacks. They probably play a significant role in keeping the rat population under control.
What does Kingston Council do about Foxes?
In common with other Local Authorities, Kingston does not provide a service to control foxes. In the interests of hygiene we will collect and dispose of dead foxes (and other larger animals) from the public highway and public places. Foxes are not a statutory pest (this only applies to rats) and there is not a duty for councils to control them. Furthermore, The Wild Mammal (Protection) Act 1996 restricts measures that could be taken to control them. Poisoning is prohibited and trapping and releasing elsewhere would be both ineffective, as the vacated territory would be quickly reoccupied, and cruel, as a fox released elsewhere would probably result in its death or injury in territorial fighting.
What can I do about Foxes if they are a Nuisance?
The most effective way to deter foxes is to make your garden unattractive to them. Clear overgrown areas that could provide resting areas, and ensure there is no food available to attract them. To deter them, the use of chemical repellents based on smell is recommended.
Repellant products include Scoot, Stay Off, Get Off My Garden, Wash Off and Get Off. They should be applied in and around areas frequented by foxes, and reapplied as necessary. Most foxes will choose to move elsewhere.
The Fox Project has an advice line that explains how to deal with fox problems. The number is 0906-272-4411 - calls are charged at 25p per minute. They also publish an excellent booklet entitled Unearthing the Urban Fox, costing about £5, which gives detailed advice on foxes and how to deter them.
However, you do not need to pay for information as there are many web sites discussing urban foxes, some enthusiastic about them and some aimed at advising how to avoid being troubled by them. Typing "urban foxes" or something similar into a search engine will find many such sites.