Fox Removal in Washington D.C.
District Wildlife Solutions provides humane fox trapping and removal services. We know everything about the foxes of Washington, DC and Maryland, and specialize in safe, humane, and effective fox removal and the prevention of foxes from home and property. Foxes require special trapping considerations, and we have the correct traps, tools, and experience to properly address the unique characteristics of foxes. Call us now at 202-997-3410 for Washington DC area fox removal.
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Professional Tips For Fox Trapping and Exclusion in Prince George’s County
If you live in a rural area, woodlands, or near foothills, there’s a pretty decent chance you will see foxes on your property from time to time. Why? Because as human settlement further encroaches into fox habitat, it’s no surprise fox-human interaction has been on the rise.
There are five species of foxes found in North America. However, only two – red and gray foxes – are well adapted to towns and cities.
Since foxes tend to avoid humans, they are rarely dangerous. However, acclimatized foxes may pose a series of other risks. For example, if you have a chicken coop on your property, foxes will attack your chickens. They are also potential carriers of several zoonotic diseases including rabies, canine distemper, leptospirosis, and tularemia.
They may also attack other livestock, small pets, and even kids. And in their quest for food, they will make a mess of your trash cans. Our knowledgeable team is available to help you learn about fox removal and exclusion from your property.
Thankfully, fox removal from your property isn’t too complicated. In this post, we share some of the proven tactics we use at District Wildlife Solutions to keep foxes at bay.
Cut off food and water supply
Believe it or not, a hungry fox will go to great lengths to find food – even if that means invading your property. And since foxes have a diverse diet – from rodents to frogs to carrion to fruits and berries – your trashcan can attract these nuisance pests.
That’s why eliminating food supply from your property is very important. Here are some things to bear in mind:
- Ensure that your trash cans are securely closed.
- Cover stagnant water at night to prevent drinking.
- Pick up fallen fruits and vegetables in your garden.
- In your garden, avoid using fertilizer made from bone, fish, or blood.
Eliminate hiding spots and dens
In the wild, foxes dig burrows called dens. Dens provide a cool area for foxes to sleep, store food and raise their pups. But in properties, foxes will burrow under structures like decks or sheds to make a suitable home. Seal off their dens with rocks, logs, or bricks. What’s more, clear off shrubs in your yard.
Try repellents
Several kinds of repellents can be used as part of your fox removal strategy. Some of the most common ones include:
Scent repellents
These work by giving off a scent foxes find discomfiting. Examples include aluminum ammonia sulfate, methyl nonyl ketone, and even predator urine.
Taste repellents
Applying Capsicum(pepper spray) to your trash cans and prized vegetables can also help keep foxes away from them.
Note that repellents quickly lose their effectiveness with time. Hence, they need to be constantly reapplied to remain effective for fox removal.
Try these scare tactics.
Scare tactics are used to scare foxes away when they come into your property. Examples of scare tactics include motion-sensitive alarms, lights, and water sprinkler systems that go off when foxes come near your house. Human voices from a radio in your garden or areas frequented by foxes will also scare them away.
What’s more, having a big pet dog in your yard can also keep foxes away. Foxes are quite small in size, so they’ll avoid confrontation with a big dog, which may help with fox removal efforts in your backyard.
Build a fence
At District Wildlife Solutions, fencing is one strategy we strongly advocate for. Why? Because it is very effective for keeping foxes and other wildlife out if the fence is well-built. However, it’s one thing to build a fence, and it’s another to build one that’s effective for keeping foxes out.
Here’s what you need to know. Use narrow steel mesh as fencing. Ensure the fence is at least 6 feet high to prevent jumping. Try an overhang that bends outwards at 45 degrees. Also, the fence should be buried at least 12 inches and L-shaped to prevent them from digging under.
Trap and release
Foxes are very intelligent animals, so care has to be taken when you are completing fox trapping. First off, ensure that you use a large cage trap. Also, ensure that you do not handle the trap with your bare hands to avoid transferring human scent to it. Use canned dog food or raw meat as bait and place the trap in an area frequented by the fox. Relocate any trapped fox at least 10 miles from the capture site.
Wrap Up
Whether you are dealing with a fox infestation problem or are unable to attempt fox removal on your own, District Wildlife Solutions can help ensure that fox problems are a thing of the past for you. Promptly contact us today for fox removal services in the Washington, DC area.