The red fox was introduced to Australia in the 1850s for hunting purposes. Today they are considered a major pest. For sheep and goat farmers, foxes are a serious problem during lambing and kidding respectively. There have also been reports of predation during problem calving in cows.
In 2013, it was estimated that foxes cost Australia $35 million in lost production. Foxes are also believed to be the primary cause of small mammal decline in Australia and can spread noxious weeds and disease. Under the Catchment and Land Protection (CaLP) Act, Victorian landowners are legally required to manage all declared noxious weeds and pest animals on their land.
Behaviour and Diet
- Foxes can travel up to 10 kms per night, spreading weeds such as blackberries through their dung.
- They often rest during the day.
- Foxes are omnivores and will eat a combination of meat, insects and plant material.
- They often kill more than they require at the time, and consume around 150kg of meat yearly.
- They often cache (bury) excess meat and eat this at later stages.
- Foxes breed once a year with cubs usually born in spring with a typical litter size of three to five.
- 85 percent of young females breed in their first year.
Mortality
Most fox deaths in Australia occur from humans or drought – they have few natural predators in Victoria, although fox cubs are vulnerable to dogs and birds of prey. Despite human control, fox populations can rapidly reinvade areas after control due to their resilient nature.
Negative Impacts of Foxes
- The environmental impact of foxes in Australia is estimated to be $190 million.
- Red foxes are considered a threat to 48 mammals, 14 species of birds, 12 reptiles and two amphibians, of which a number are critically endangered.
- Foxes are believed to have contributed to the demise and extinction of many ground-dwelling native species over the last 130 years.
- Foxes cause significant distress when they kill livestock.
- Foxes spread native and invasive species through their dung – seeds take up to 48 hours to pass through their digestive system resulting in unwanted spreading of boxthorn (lycium ferocissimum), sweet briar (rubus rubuginosa), and blackberry (rubus frutiscosis).
- They can spread diseases that dogs and humans are susceptible to, including sarcoptic mange, hydatids and leptospirosis.
Managing Foxes on your Property
There are several control measure that can be adopted to mitigate the impact of foxes on your farm. These include:
- Baiting
- Shooting
- Den fumigating and ripping using machinery to destroy the den
- Property hygiene
- Above ground harbour removal, eg rubbish piles, rocky outcrops or patches of woody weeds
- Exclusion fencing and guardian animals, eg alpacas, donkeys or Maremma dogs
Key things to remember when managing foxes:
- Effective control often requires an integrated approach using a combination of methods.
- Consider working with neighbours to achieve the best results.
- Native animals may use fox habitat so make sure the management program does not affect them.
- Timing is important for effectiveness but also for animal welfare implications.
- Consider the relevant acts associated with different control methods to avoid any animal welfare implications and safety issues.
- If considering using baiting as a control method, 1080 and PAPP are registered for the use of controlling pest animals such as foxes in Victoria. These are restricted chemicals, and you must hold an agricultural chemical users permit (ACUP) with 1080 and PAPP endorsement to be authorised to purchase and use them. To become accredited to use 1080 or PAPP baits, training courses can be done through Auschem or other registered training organisations.
For a comprehensive management guide, visit the PestSmart website here.
Other Problem Predators
Wild dogs, wild pigs, some pest birds and feral cats are also a major problem in various parts of Victoria. More information on these pests can be found here.
Take Home Messages
- Foxes are major pests in Australia, spreading weeds and diseases as well as causing destruction to native animals and livestock.
- Following a management guide will assist with effective control.
- Ensure fox management is adhering to relevant acts – visit the Agricuture Victoria website for more information.