News Beat
Drivers warned of increased road collision risk due to foxes
Ecologists have issued a warning to drivers as foxes travel further during this period and they could be seen on more roads, increasing the risk of collisions, especially on rural and suburban roads when it gets dark.
The wildlife experts at Arbtech have issued the warning to UK drivers now as the peak mating season for foxes runs from December to February.
They add that the loud noises are a part of the process for foxes as they look to mate but what you’ll need to be aware of is their movements, particularly when driving.
Drivers urged to look out for foxes on rural roads during mating season
Male foxes roam widely in search of females, often venturing into suburban streets and residential areas.
A spokesperson for ecology consultancy firm Arbtech said: “Fox mating season can be surprisingly noisy, and the screams can be worrying if you haven’t heard them before or don’t know where it’s coming from.
“This is completely natural behaviour – the foxes aren’t injured or fighting, they’re just trying to attract a mate.
“At the same time, their increased movement means people do need to take extra care on the roads, particularly in rural areas or suburban communities where foxes are known to frequent.
“Our advice is to slow down, stay alert, and watch out for wildlife crossing this winter.”
Native wild animals in the UK
5 expert tips to remember during fox breeding season
The firm shared five tips for you to follow during fox breeding season.
It said to expect some noise – this is normal behaviour for foxes during this period.
The experts added that homeowners should secure pets after dark, including dogs and cats, to avoid confrontations with foxes.
Motorists should drive with caution and slow down on rural roads, especially at night. You should be ready to brake if a fox crosses your path.
Avoid leaving food scraps outside as this can attract foxes to your garden, meaning they’ll be in a residential area near roads.
It’s important you do not feed or try to get close to foxes.
How to keep foxes away from your garden
While some homeowners love to see wildlife in their gardens, others might want to keep foxes away.
The RSPCA explains that this can be done humanely and it’s important to know that poisoning foxes is illegal.
However, the charity says you can “use an animal repellent approved for use with foxes – these are widely available from garden centres or hardware stores.”
It added: “It’s illegal to use any substance to deter foxes that haven’t been approved for that use”.
To keep them away, you should “remove access to any food source” to stop the foxes returning when hungry.
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If you have sheltered spots in your garden, you might want to consider removing them if you don’t want foxes to get cosy in them.
The RSPCA advises keeping doors to sheds and garages closed and cut any long grass or overgrown plants.
If you have any gaps under decking or sheds, you need to close them up to avoid foxes finding them and making a fox den.
Find out where foxes are coming into your garden and work to target that area by putting up fencing or put some prickly plants by the entry point to deter them.
Have you seen foxes in your garden? Let us know in the comments below.
