A similar parallel can be drawn when you have a baby in the house. Foxes taking chickens/rabbits/guinea pigs/etc fall into this category.Р’В It is our job to secure our pets from the attentions of predators. We share our environment with many species that will exploit an opportunity if it arises.

Foxes are perfectly at home in our towns and cities and this can cause issues for people wanting to keep free-range livestock in their gardens. Before we explore how we might go about securing our pets/livestock and making the garden a fox-free zone, it is worth taking a moment to look at why this might be necessary. There are occasional reports of foxes killing cats and even small dogs and there have been anecdotal reports suggesting attacks on cats may be increasing but, despite recent media reports suggesting otherwise, there is no evidence that foxes represent a significant threat to pet cats or dogs.Р”Р‡oxes have a chequered relationship with humans and are the victim of so many stories and so much word-of-mouth that it has become difficult to separate fact from fiction РІР‚вЂњ this is perhaps one reason why they arguably polarize public opinion more than any other wild mammal. Small pets-guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, mice etc.-are most at risk from foxes if insecurely housed. Housing for small pets must include a secure frame, with sturdy wire (steel mesh, not chicken wire or plastic mesh) and either a secure floor or wire buried into the ground to prevent foxes digging into it РІР‚вЂњ most important is that the door must contain secure locks, not simple twist catches.

Similarly, if the fox is attracted to your garden by livestock or pets you need to ensure that the animals are securely housed If the fox raids your compost heap, for example, look at fencing it or investing in a compost bin. Ultimately, the best course of action is to find out what attracts the fox to your garden and remove or disguise the temptation. There are various repellents (chemical, physical and audible) available that have been used with varying degrees of success none are guaranteed to work in every situation and some individual foxes simply are more sensitive or persistent than others. Moreover, the successful physical exclusion of foxes will often also exclude non-target mammals, such as hedgehogs. Summary:Р’В Short of turning your garden into a militarized zone, it is almost impossible to stop a determined fox from gaining entry.

Animals chewing on plastic lattice