Fox control

The European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a widespread non-native pest in NSW. It negatively impacts the economy, community, and environment.

Since its introduction in the 1870s, the European red fox has caused severe declines and extinctions of native fauna, especially medium-sized mammals, ground-nesting birds, and freshwater turtles.

Feral foxes are widespread, highly mobile and efficient breeders. They can quickly move in and recolonise areas where fox numbers have been reduced.

Impact of foxes

Foxes are a major predator of lambs, poultry and goat kids.

They play a significant role in the decline of native wildlife, including rock wallabies, numbats and bird species.

Foxes also carry diseases such as mange and tapeworm.

Monitor your property for signs of foxes

Fox activity and population size around your property can be observed and monitored by looking out for evidence of foxes including:

• visible sightings – day and night
• missing/dead animals (chickens and stock)
• fox faeces
• prints
• dens.

videocam 3:17

Close(Press escape to close)

Video transcript

Know the signs of feral foxes

Hi, I'm Skeen from the North Coast Local Land Services.

I work for the Invasive Pest Team and I assist

landholders in managing feral species on their properties.

One of those being the fox.

The European red fox is the only fox species found in Australia.

It's important for landholders to undertake control methods

once they see signs of foxes being on their properties.

Let me introduce you to the European red fox and

some of the signs that you will have on your property.

[Music plays]

The European red fox normally breeds

between August to September and has three to five

cubs in a litter. They're a very elusive

animal. They can travel up to 10 kilometers a night.

Signs of foxes on your property are going to be more active during breeding time.

This is when they'll be actively hunting native species.

Foxes prey on native wildlife including birds, amphibians, rodents and marsupials.

It has been noted that the fox has caused a

massive decline in a lot of these native species.

[Music plays]

So normally farmers might find scats on clear

pathways or roadways. Fox scats are normally

cylindrical in shape, tapered at both ends.

There'll be bits of fur, bones, beetles and bugs in there.

So a good way for farmers to find signs of a fox

being present on their property is to look down.

Often after rain or if there's softer soil or

sandy soil that you'll often find a clear print

in the ground. Fox and dog prints are

similar. The distinguishing feature between a fox and

dog print is the front pad and the back pad can be separated by a straight line.

Another sign of foxes being present on your

property is evidence of kills or attempted kills.

There'll be dead or missing poultry and piles of feathers. Foxes can also be the

transmitter of diseases that can affect humans and domestic pets.

Another sign of foxes being present on your

property is a den. Dens are normally hidden

under thick vegetation, log piles or on creek banks where it's easy to dig.

You can also see signs of foxes as there'll be a

lot of footprints and tracks in and around that area.

[Music]

So do your bit to protect our native

wildlife. If you see signs of foxes on your property,

please report it through the Feral Scan

website by uploading your details or downloading the

Feral Scan app or you can also contact your

North Coast local land services biosecurity officer.

[Music]

So remember, fox control is best done over a large

scale. If you see signs of foxes on your property,

your neighbours have probably also got the

same problem. So contact your neighbours to

see if they can come on board to assist with the fox control program.

For additional resources on controlling foxes and other pest species, visit Pestsmart 

Report signs of foxes on FeralScan.

Pest management in your region

We've worked with regional pest animal committees and the community to develop regional strategic pest animal management plans in each of our 11 Local Land Services regions.

Your Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plan will tell you what priority pest animal pest animals you need to manage and how.

Regional strategic pest animal management plans