Picture this: You wake up on a nice Sunday morning and decide to open your front door to take a look outside. Lo and behold you see something in your yard that is sure to leave you scratching your head…holes!

Were those holes dug by a canine? A fox perhaps? If you’re like most homeowners, you probably would never think that a wild animal like a fox would come visit your home. But now it likes like you have fox holes in yard issues, and you want to know what’s going on.

If you do indeed have fox holes in yards, it’s also no laughing matter. Not only do these holes lead to damage in your yard and garden, but you can likely hear the animals screeching at night. You may even smell a foul odor if the fox has made a den close enough to your bedroom windows.

How on earth are you going to manage fox holes in yards? Don’t worry – we’re here to help. If you have fox holes in yard problems, we have solutions. Keep reading to learn more!

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How To Identify Fox Holes In Yard

Fox holes can be mistaken for other types of animal holes.
Having foxes living in your yard is a great way to help control the rodent population, but you may be wondering whether it’s safe to have these animals around. Furthermore, you may also be wondering what has attracted foxes to your property in the first place.

Foxes are wild animals, and they’re attracted to environments where their needs are most easily met. They are omnivores who will eat bugs, rodents and other small animals, berries and plants—but if you’ve had any of your own small pets like rabbits or livestock like chickens go missing, it could be a sign that foxes are making their home near yours.

It’s not unusual for foxes to make their dens in the ground, so if you’ve noticed holes in your yard or garden, they could have been dug by a fox. However, there are several different types of animals that dig holes in the ground as well, and while some of them are harmless (like rabbits), others can threaten your safety and do damage to your property.

Here’s how to identify fox holes in yards.

Look at their shape:

Foxes dig fairly deep and narrow holes around their dens. They’re usually about 6-8 inches wide, which might seem larger than rabbit holes but smaller than those made by skunks. The holes are often crescent-shaped (sort of like a boomerang with the ends pointing downwards), with distinct ridges of dirt on both sides. Sometimes you can also see claw marks around the edges.

Check for paw prints:

Fox paw prints are very distinctive, so they’re a good way to confirm whether or not these holes were dug by a fox. The front paw prints tend to be much smaller than the hind ones, but all of them are oval shaped with four toes and a small pad print behind them. You can find more information about how to identify a fox track in this video below:

How To Identify If The Fox Holes In Yard Are Active

Now that we’ve gotten the process of elimination out of the way, we can find out if you have active fox hole in yard problems. When inspecting the hole, look for any evidence that it’s currently being used as a den. This might include:

Scat (fox poop) around the entrance
The presence of urine or musk around the entrance
Fresh tracks leading in and out of the hole

So, is the fox hole in your yard active? If the answer is yes, then we suggest you keep reading!

Why Do I Have Foxes And Fox Holes In Yard Problems?

Fox may create holes to care for young, but there are many other reasons they dig holes.

It’s early springtime, and if you’ve recently noticed a lot of holes in your yard that weren’t there before, it might be the work of foxes. Foxes will dig holes (and often use them) for many reasons, including as hiding places or dens, to bury food, to escape predators, and even to draw in prey.

Foxes will also create several dens in their territory to use as needed at different times of year. These dens can be more elaborate than just a hole in the ground—some can include tunnels that stretch for several feet underground and include multiple exits.

While foxes typically live in wooded areas like forests and grasslands, the growing urbanization of their natural environment has made it more likely for them to move into our neighborhoods and neighborhoods like ours. If you happen to find yourself with one of these new neighbors, here are some common questions you might have:

Do foxes dig up my yard because they want to eat my plants?

Nope—foxes are not plant-eaters. They’re carnivores who eat lots of different kinds of small animals: everything from earthworms to squirrels to rabbits. They rely on their excellent eyesight, hearing, and sense of smell to detect their prey and then pursue it using their speed and agility.

So why do they dig all those holes?

Foxes dig four main kinds of holes, including dens, bolt holes, latrines, and earths.

Dens are where foxes live and breed. They’re fairly complex structures with different areas for sleeping, raising young, storing food, and going to the bathroom.

Bolt holes are simple shelters that foxes can quickly run into when danger arises. They’re often situated near dens or latrines. Latrines are places where foxes go to the bathroom (and sometimes urinate to mark territory), and earths are places where foxes stash extra food.

Foxes are omnivores and will eat just about anything they can find, as we mentioned above. So if you have a garden or keep chickens in your yard, it’s no surprise that foxes might be attracted to your property.

If you’re noticing a lot of holes in your lawn or flower beds, the culprit might actually be a fox rather than a burrowing rodent like a ground squirrel or gopher. Foxes dig for several reasons: to make dens under tree roots or inside stumps; to bury scraps of food for later; to cache food (like mice) for their pups; and even to create latrines.

All of these types of holes serve important purposes for foxes, so if you want to discourage them from digging on your property, try using humane scare tactics like motion-activated sprinklers or sound machines (or set up a dog kennel or temporarily plant some shrubs in the area). If you dislike seeing a mess of holes in your yard but don’t mind a few fox visits, do nothing—but if you want them gone altogether, consider how their presence might be benefiting you due to their diet of smaller animals and insects that are considered pests.

If the foxes’ presence isn’t bothering you, the best thing to do is leave them alone. In fact, in most areas it’s illegal to kill wild animals without a permit or license.

So, if you do notice fox holes in yards, it’s important you do your research before you decide how to proceed.

Removing Foxes And Fox Holes In Yard – What You Should Know First

Before you go about removing fox holes in yard, it’s important you know the legalities of your area.

If you’ve found and identified fox holes in yards, you are probably asking yourself what your next steps should be. But before you run to your local pest control store or prep your traps, it’s important to consider the legalities of how to get rid of foxes safely and appropriately.

Removing foxes from your yard can be a tricky thing. If you have pets or small children, the threat of an animal bite is always on your mind when dealing with wild animals. You might notice that the fox has taken up residence under your front porch or shed. Even worse, it may be that the fox is holed up in the crawl space underneath your house.

The problem with getting rid of these foxes is that in many states it is illegal to trap any native animal without proper certification and licensing. This means that even if you do trap a wild animal like a raccoon or a fox, there’s no guarantee that Animal Control will accept it. You might simply have to release it or find somewhere else to put it (which isn’t really an option).

Another thing to keep in mind is that trapping any type of wild animal can be dangerous. Even the most placid creatures can bite when they feel threatened so if you are thinking about doing this on your own you may want to think again!

Luckily, there are products you can use to repel foxes and get them to leave their fox holes in yards on their own.

Best Products For How To Get Rid Of Fox Holes In Yard

Many products are available to help repel fox and deter fox holes in yard from being created.

When you have a fox problem and you’re looking for products to help get rid of it, there are lots of questions that come up.

What are the best products for how to get rid of foxes in the yard? How can you find the best products for how to get rid of fox holes in yards? How can you look for good products for fox removal? And which products for fox removal are safest?

Foxes are a common nuisance in many backyards, but there are lots of ways to deter them from making themselves at home in your yard. Let’s take a look at the best products for repelling foxes and keeping foxholes from developing in your yard.

First, let’s look at products that repel foxes using scent. Most of these products use animal scents that foxes find offensive, including coyote urine, bobcat urine and mountain lion urine.

Fox urine is effective as well, but it should be avoided because it smells like dog urine and sometimes can attract dogs to your yard. Because the scent wears off over time, you’ll need to reapply it regularly. Consider purchasing a product with an applicator wand to make this task easier.

Another way to repel foxes is by using sound devices. Sonic repellers emit sounds at frequencies that humans can’t hear but that foxes find disturbing. These frequencies often include ultrasonic sounds or predator cries such as those of bobcats, coyotes or wolves.

You can also use scented products and essential oils to repel foxes and keep fox holes in yards from developing. We have listed a few products below that are ideal fox repellent products.

Natural Armor Animal & Rodent Repellent

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Natural Armor Animal and Rodent Repellent is a versatile product that works well at preventing fox holes in yards. It is effective against many animals and rodents, including foxes.

It is odorless, non-toxic, and safe for use around children and pets. It can be applied to gardens, flower beds, yards, trash cans, sheds, patios, basements, under porches, under decks or anywhere you don’t want foxes or other animals. It is long lasting and does not need to be reapplied as often as many other types of repellents.

Simply spray Natural Armor Animal and Rodent Repellent on the ground surrounding the area you wish to protect and the scent will last up to 30 days. This product is also available in granular form if you don’t have access to a hose or nozzle. Simply sprinkle the granules around the area you wish to protect. The scent will last up to 6 months.

Defendy Ultrasonic Animal Repeller

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Defendy Ultrasonic Animal Repeller is a solar Powered Animal Repellent product that works to repel a number of wild animals like foxes. This is a safe and effective product that works without the use of chemical ingredients or sprays.

The Defendy Ultrasonic Animal Repeller has been designed specifically to defend your home, garden and other property from animals like foxes, rabbits and squirrels. It uses ultrasonic technology along with flashing LED lights to deter these animals in an effective manner. The product is solar powered and has been developed in such a manner that it can be simply installed on the walls of your house or in the garden as well.

The ultrasonic animal repeller is water resistant so you can use it outdoors to help deter fox holes in yards. The product will emit strong ultrasonic wave sounds at specific intervals causing irritation among wild animals. The foxes and other pests will try their best to flee from the area where this device is installed. The device also emits flashing light at different intervals which is another deterrent for these animals.

Some common pests that this product helps to deter include not only foxes, but also squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, stray cats, deer, and more.

Safer Brand Critter Ritter Animal Repellent Granules

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Safer Critter Ridder Animal Repellent works effectively to repel animals like skunks, raccoons, foxes, rodents and other pests safely using natural ingredients like a blend of other ingredients like essential oils including clove oil and cinnamon oil, in addition to capsaicin which is the active ingredient in hot peppers. These ingredients are non-toxic and won’t harm animals or the environment.

The repellent can be used in the yard or garden to keep pests away from orchards, plants, flowers and vegetables. It can also be sprayed around your home’s foundation or entry points to keep pests out of your home.

One 32 oz bottle of Safer Critter Ridder will cover approximately 1,500 square feet (about 25 feet by 60 feet) and lasts up to 30 days. We recommend spraying this spray once every two weeks to keep the area protected and prevent fox holes in yards from developing.

In addition to being an effective animal repellent, Safer Critter Ridder has a pleasant scent that humans find appealing.

Havahart Motion Activated Animal Repellent Sprinkler

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The Havahart Motion Activated Animal Repellent Sprinkler is a helpful tool for those who want to keep their lawn and garden safe from pesky animals. The sprinkler works to repel animals like skunks, raccoons, foxes, deer, rodents, and other pests safely without the use of chemicals or sprays.

It is a solar-powered sprinkler that is motion-activated, with a sensor that can detect movement up to 35 feet away. When it senses a pest nearby, it will spray water for about five seconds and make a loud noise that scares the animals away. The device is also weatherproof.

This product can be used almost anywhere to help prevent fox holes in yards from developing, as long as it receives some sunlight during the day. Its solar panels convert the sun’s energy into electricity that powers both the sensor and pump that provides water pressure.

You may need to experiment with different installation locations at first to find out where you get the best results with this device. You may also need to adjust the angle of the sprinkler head to create the best spray pattern for your yard (the instruction manual will give you tips on how to do this).

Home Remedies To Keep Fox Holes In Yard From Becoming A Repeating Problem

Many people love foxes, but they don’t love the holes they dig in their yards.

The fox can be a beautiful animal, but it’s a bit more difficult to appreciate when it starts taking over your yard and digging up your garden. Luckily, there are some easy home remedies that can help you get rid of foxes or keep them from coming onto your property and digging fox holes in yards.

We’ll go through what those remedies are, how to use them, and whether or not they actually work so you can make an informed decision about how to get rid of foxes.

You probably already have most, if not all, of these ingredients in your kitchen or pantry. Most of these home remedies for fox repellent are all natural and non-toxic, so they’re perfectly safe to use around kids and pets (although you should always check with a vet before using these ingredients on an animal).

They won’t kill the foxes, but they will make your yard less comfortable for them and might encourage them to move somewhere else.

Mothballs

Mothballs are very effective at keeping foxes away and preventing them from making fox holes in yards. They are also a great method for keeping mice and rats away, which is an added bonus.

Try sprinkling mothballs around areas where foxes often dig or around any dens or holes they’ve already created. Be careful not to get any mothballs on your skin or inhale it, as mothballs are toxic and can be harmful to humans if ingested.

The reason mothballs work so well is because they contain a chemical called naphthalene. This chemical gives off an odor that not only repels foxes but also other animals like mice, rats and even rabbits and deer.

Vinegar

Another one of the best ways to repel foxes and prevent fox holes in yards is by using vinegar! Foxes have a very powerful sense of smell, so if they smell something that they think might be dangerous or unpleasant, they will avoid it altogether.

If there isn’t much activity around your property at night, then getting rid of foxes with vinegar may just do the trick! You can make your own homemade vinegar spray recipe by mixing equal parts water and apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle. Then spray this mixture all over any areas where you think foxes may be entering from, including around shrubs or trees.

You can also use this spray around the perimeter of your yard or around any dens or fox holes in yards you suspect may be active.

Ammonia

Ammonia is an effective repellent for foxes and other animals because it smells like urine to many of these pests. It’s also one of the common ingredients in commercial repellents that have been proven to work for preventing fox holes in yards.

You can make your own homemade ammonia spray recipe by mixing one cup of ammonia with three cups of water in a spray bottle. You should spray this mixture directly onto areas where foxes might enter like under decks or window wells for an effective deterrent that won’t harm other wildlife around your home or garden.

Essential Oil Spray To Repel Foxes

The potent smell of essential oils can discourage not only foxes from coming too close, but many other pests like rats, mice, snakes, and even insects. Best of all, essential oils are a natural alternative to chemical repellents.

If you want to keep foxes at bay and reduce the number of fox holes in yards, try using the below essential oils around your property:

Peppermint Oil
Eucalyptus oil
Garlic oil
And Lavender oil

To make your own homemade essential oil spray to repel foxes, you will also need other ingredients like cayenne pepper.

Mix equal parts water with the essential oil and a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and spray the mixture on the plants in your garden and other areas of your property that you’d like to keep fox-free.

Fox Holes In Yard – Getting Rid Of Foxes Safely, Humanely, And Effectively

Getting rid of foxes means being proactive and knowing how to make your home less attractive to them.

Getting rid of fox holes in yards means your property is attractive to not only these animals, but likely the prey they feed on.

Remember, foxes can feed on many things found around your home including rodents and other small animals, insects, and even fruits and vegetables. If you notice fox holes yards, it could be that a fox is living there or simply visiting in search of food.

The best way to keep foxes out of your yard and prevent future fox holes in yards is to make your yard as inhospitable to them as possible. This means eliminating any access to food or shelter.

Remove possible food sources around your yard by keeping the area clean and free of garbage, compost piles, fallen fruit from trees, and leftover pet food

Eliminate hiding places for small rodents that foxes could prey on by trimming shrubs, keeping your lawn trimmed short, and removing excess debris around your property.

Reduce areas around your home that could also serve as shelter to foxes like garden sheds or spaces beneath your deck, chimney, or crawl space.

And if you want a more immediate solution for how to get rid of fox holes in yards, you can try trapping the animals with a live trap and relocating them.

However, this should only be attempted if the animal is near your home and causing damage or posing an immediate threat. It’s also important to be sure you have permission from local authorities before doing this and that you are abiding by any local laws.

When using a live trap, make sure it will not harm the fox in any way and that there are no sharp edges or other dangers within the trap. You may need to add bait such as water or food to draw the animal in.

Once trapped, the animal will need to be humanely relocated at least ten miles away so that it does not return. This should always be done by professionals who are trained in handling wildlife. Do not attempt to relocate a fox yourself, as it could become aggressive or even result in injury.

So, how do you manage fox holes in yards once and for all?

In the end, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for fox pest control. It is important to thoroughly educate yourself about foxes, their habits and habitats, before taking measures to get rid of them. This way, you can be sure that your home and family are truly safe from these little creatures.

What do you think about fox holes in yards? Would you prefer to let foxes stay put or do you find it necessary to get rid of them? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading!

Jack Miller

Jack founded our blog after two decades of working in the pest control industry. His vast experience dealing with a wide array of pests allows him to diagnose issues quickly and get to the heart of pest problems quickly and effectively. He has serviced more than 2,000 homes over his career and there is hardly any pest situation that he has not seen before.