The phone calls and e-mails are rolling in- it is fox pup time and a lot of people are seeing adult foxes near their homes and becoming alarmed. What they don't realize is that foxes are coming in close to people to raise their families because coyotes are in the further out areas. If a coyote finds a fox den, it may dig up the den and kill all the young. Foxes know this so they choose what they believe to be the lesser of two evils and come in closer to humans and away from the coyotes to have their litters. Please be kind and "rent" out your space to momma fox. You will be glad you did.
People tell me "My gardens were never better!"
And "Thank you for talking to me about the fox family. We watched them instead of TV. They were so wonderful!"
And "We hope they come back next year!"
Foxes may have a den under your shed, porch, barn or in the back yard in a hill. The family will likely be moved in a few weeks to a new place. When the pups are older (July, August) they will start to be seen less and less. By September, the fox family will be gone and everything will be back to normal. Red foxes will not live in a den year round. They only den to raise their families. Out of a litter of 6, it is likely that only two or three foxes will live to see September.
People are often alarmed, thinking their family pets and children are being stalked. Stalked by a 10 pound fox? I don't think so. In fact, foxes do not want to kill or eat your child, cat or dog, no matter how small . They eat primarily mice, rats, rabbits and woodchucks. They may certainly watch your pets with concern, bark at them and may even chase your cat back into your yard if it goes near the den- Of course good cat owners realize that they shouldn't let their cats roam free. Your 16 pound kitty will be able to hold his ow her own against the fox. Remember, it is the outdoors and the fox belongs there.
Please allow the mother fox to raise her pups in peace. Do not hire someone to "relocate the family" this will not work! The most that will happen is that one or two pups will be caught (and surely killed by the hired person) and the mother will get scared and move her family. Most states have laws that state captured wildlife must be killed. Be patient, enjoy the fox family. it is a lot of fun to watch the pups scampering and tumbling with each other. In fact, it is a lot better entertainment than most TV shows on these days. Enjoy the breath of fresh air and the beauty in your back yard- it may be a once in a life time event for you. 
Many people are afraid they can't let their animals out to go potty now. keep in mind that before you realize the family was there, you let your pets out and everything was OK.
Inform your neighbors not to shoot the foxes they see crossing the yards during the day . Red foxes are Not nocturnal! Momma works very hard to feed her family. She will work all day and night catching rodents, snatching roadkill and bringing it back to her growing babies. Foxes also eat a great deal of grasses and insects too. They are omnivores.
If you really can't have a fox family in your yard, you may place an object such as a chair or a bucket near the den, but not too close as to scare momma away from grabbing her pups and moving them away from the scary object. About 10 feet from the den should be enough to concern her. Think about this though, momma felt safe enough in your yard to have her pups there. Where else will she be able to move those pups where they will be safe?
Please, appreciate this gift of nature.
Thank you for the info on how to treat the foxes in my neighborhood here in Sun Valley, Idaho. One of my favorite foxes died and I was afraid that it died from salmonella from eating the dead pine siskin birds who have this disease from dirty bird food that was laying on the ground. (No one ever tells people they must disinfect their bird feeders and pick up all the shells or they are possibly subjecting their smallest little friends to a terrible death.} But was surprised to learn that it is mange that is killing our foxes. I hope there is time to save the 4 that still come around every night. You are right...they are not a danger to you or your children but they will run from your dog and are smart enough to run the dog to the highway where my beagle got run over. Foxes are smart. They are also great parents and the babies are so cute and they love eggs.
Posted by: Jeramie Dreyfuss | Wednesday, 22 April 2009 at 08:38 PM
I agree! We had a family of foxes come into our garden, which was previously overrun with mice and rabbits. We could never grow anything! Finally we tried planting again, and had great success! We were very blessed to have this wonderful family stay with us. She trusted us enough to even come out to play with her pups when we were picking veggies. The pups were so cute, we hardly watched our TV for the duration of their stay!
Posted by: Lisa | Friday, 27 June 2008 at 08:51 PM
Hi,
When you start spending more time around your deck I am sure mother fox will decide it is just too much activity for her and move them. other than that, they are not aggressive or dangerous in any way.
Elise
Posted by: Elise | Friday, 05 May 2006 at 05:14 PM
Today I saw a mother grey fox and two babies come out from under our deck. We have a fenced in back yard and pool and do lots of entertaining on our deck. What should we do? We are concerned about leaving the foxes there all summer and into the fall as we have all kinds of people over to swim.
Posted by: Connie VanKempen | Friday, 05 May 2006 at 04:55 PM