Foxes
About
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.
Control methods
Chemical
There are strict laws and regulations on using poisoned baits such as 1080 and strychnine to control feral and invasive animals.
Physical
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.
Biological
There are currently are no effective biocontrol methods for managing fox populations in Australia.
Report a fox hotspot
With your help, the PHBG can identify locations of feral animals. We want to know about populations that concern or affect you. Click the green button below to open the reporting form in a separate tab.
More resources
Factsheets
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)