What do red foxes look like?
Red foxes are small mammals ranging in weight from nine to 12 pounds. They are just over three feet in length with a pointed nose and ears and a long bushy tail with a white tip on the end. They have black feet and white fur on their underside. They resemble dogs with pointy ears, and much like dogs, they will even bark. In addition to barking, foxes are known for their high pitched screams, which is a territorial warning to prevent other foxes from coming near their land. Foxes are nocturnal, sleeping during the day and regaining energy to hunt at night. Red foxes are omnivores and eat small mammals, reptiles, eggs, fish, fruit, nuts and seeds.
Where do red foxes live?
Red foxes are found all over Virginia, with the exception of the south eastern region. They tend to live in forested areas where they will burrow or make a den to raise their babies or pups in. From time to time, foxes will make their way into suburban or even urban areas and can make their burrow in your neighborhood. Foxes usually won’t stay in an urbanized area very long unless they have just recently given birth and they need a place to care for their young. Foxes might be drawn to your property because it offers safety and food sources.
Do you have foxes on your Northern Virginia property?
The most obvious way of knowing you have a fox on your property is to see it. Foxes are sneaky and sly, but you still might be able to see them on your property. It may be hard to see them though because they are nocturnal and sleep during the day and hunt and eat during the night. In highly populated or urbanized areas, foxes may be more active during the daytime hours. Another way of knowing you have foxes is seeing their burrow or finding their tracks or feces. Sometimes it can be difficult to know if you have a fox or some other kind of animal, so in this case, a wildlife expert should be contacted to determine what the animal is and how to best resolve your problem with the animal. At Summit, we offer a free inspection where the technician will come out and determine what needs to be done and the technician will give you a price for the treatment after they complete the inspection.
Are foxes dangerous?
Much like any wild animal, people should be cautious around foxes and never try to touch, feed or threaten them. Foxes are especially dangerous when they have rabies, a viral infection of the nervous system. Some signs and symptoms of rabies are change in appearance, seeing them during the day, walking strangely or staggering, and generally not looking healthy. Fortunately, the strain of rabies carried by foxes has never been transmitted to a human, but it is still advised to be cautious. In addition to rabies, foxes can carry a variety of other harmful parasites, such as mange, fleas and heartworm.
What damage can foxes cause?
While foxes will not cause any structural damage to your home like some other wild animals, foxes can however disrupt your yard or garden with their burrow. They will also eat fruits and vegetables you may have planted and eat your livestock and sometimes even your pets if given the chance. Foxes can also spread bacteria and parasites to other outdoor animals or even your pets.
What are some effective fox deterrents?
According to the Humane Society, foxes are very thrown off by strong and odorous scents such as animal urine and human sweat. The Humane Society suggests placing urine-soaked kitty litter and sweaty clothes and socks near the areas where there have been foxes on your property. In addition to foul scents, foxes are deterred by shiny things such as mylar balloons. There are also pellets that can help to deter foxes, there are various brands of granules. To keep foxes at bay, it is important to keep trash cans closed and other food sources sealed. If you have livestock such as chickens, it is crucial they are in a pen that can not be opened by foxes.
Who to call when there are foxes on my property
When there are foxes on your property, it’s important to call an animal removal service like ourselves. Animal control will only help to remove a fox from your property if it is wounded or sick. Foxes are very sneaky and smart, so trapping doesn’t really prove to be an effective means of removing foxes from your property. The best thing to do is to make the area where they are frequenting inhospitable. When a fox feels like it can no longer provide for itself or its young in their current area, they will leave and try to find a new place to live. At Summit, we will work to exclude the fox from your property and implement ways to prevent them from returning to your property in the future. Most frequently, our technicians will recommend a wildlife barrier which is essentially a small fence or wall that prevents various animals from digging and burrowing near your home and the animals will typically leave on their own and find another location that better suits their needs.
For fox exclusion services in Fairfax, Alexandria and Arlington, contact us today. Our prices are very competitive and we will work diligently to make sure there are no more foxes on your property. We understand that seeing a fox near your home can be a scary experience because wild animals are often unpredictable in their behaviors and actions. We are up for the job and helping to solve any other animal issue you may be having. Whether it is squirrels in the gutter, mice in the walls, raccoons in the attic or birds stuck in your dryer vent, we are skilled, prepared and knowledgeable about how to safely and effectively remove these animals from your home. For more information or to schedule a free estimate, contact us today by phone or fill out a contact form.
