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The European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was introduced to Australia in the 1850s for recreational hunting and has since become a significant pest across mainland Australia.
Foxes prey on poultry, young livestock, and native wildlife, and are known carriers of diseases such as distemper, parvovirus, and mange.
They thrive in both rural and urban environments, making effective control measures a necessity. Coordinated efforts across multiple properties are more effective than isolated actions, with late winter to early spring being the optimal period for control, as foxes are breeding and their food demand is highest.
We can help develop a control program suitable for your property using current best practice methods. Fill out this form and we will contact you as possible. Please note that as we are a small team, you may not receive a same-day reply.
There are strict laws and regulations on using poisoned baits such as 1080 and strychnine to control feral and invasive animals.
Physical control methods for feral and invasive animals in Australia requires adherence to local regulations and consideration of animal welfare standards.
Best practice methods are:
Shooting: Using a high-velocity rifle equipped with a telescopic sight, shooting can effectively reduce local fox populations.
Trapping: Employing cage traps to capture foxes, which can then be humanely euthanised.
Den fumigation: Introducing gas into fox dens to eliminate occupants.
Exclusion fencing: Constructing barriers to prevent foxes from accessing specific areas.
There are currently are no effective biocontrol methods for managing fox populations in Australia.
Trapping of foxes using cage traps [PDF] (PestSmart)
Trapping of foxes using cage traps [Website] (PestSmart)
Trapping of foxes using padded soft jaw traps [PDF] (PestSmart)
Trapping of foxes using padded soft jaw traps [Website] (PestSmart)
Glovebox Guide to Managing Foxes (Pestsmart)
National Standard Operating Procedure: Ground shooting of foxes (Pestsmart)
Fencing for fox control (Pestsmart)
The facts of 1080 baiting (Pestsmart)