Comments on: How to trap a Fox

By: Tech Support

Tech Support — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:13:36 +0000

@Rich: If you read the article above, you'll get a bunch of tips and guidelines on how to trap a fox. No doubt there are certain critical things that must be done like having the right sized trap. We actually have many people contact us who are using a trap that's just not tall enough and fox won't enter anything too small. So for starters, make sure it's at least as large as as the traps we have listed above.
The second thing you need to do is cover the trap as demonstrated in the video above. Ideally, the trap should be somewhere you know the fox has been foraging. Once such a location is found, set it up by covering it like we did in the video. When done properly, the trap should be presented as a potential den or other natural bit of landscape so the fox is curious to inspect it and not to be wary of it.
Next, use the "step trapping" method explained in the article. This is done by first baiting just outside the trap, then at the trap entrance, then slightly inside the trap and eventually deep enough inside the trap so that the entering animal will set it off and get caught. This method will "teach" the fox to be comfortable with accepting the food close to the trap which over time will build trust. And once he gets comfortable being around the trap and feeding, it will be easy to get him to enter.
Now if you don't have the patience to step trap and get the fox acclimated to the trap, get one of the Bait Cages we have listed and use this to hold a rat, squirrel or chicken inside the main trap. Using live bait is very effective for fox, coyote and bob cat and in most cases, you'll be able to get them to enter with a lot less effort.

By: Rich

Rich — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:54:13 +0000

A coyote or fox killed our two cats. We were new to the area and did not know about the predators in the area. We let our cats out during the day and kept them in at night. One night they did not come back and were killed. Then we found out that many cats in the area were killed or missing. And we found out that there are a lot of fox and coyotes in the area and we have seen them. We have been trying to trap them but have not had any luck. I need some tips on how to trap them. Thanks!

By: Tech Support

Tech Support — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:48:42 +0000

@adam: We deal with many subdivision residents and other small communities that get predators and in most cases, the kidnapping of pets will continue until the feeding animal is removed. These communities will sometimes hire a service company to do the work or get from us the equipment to do the job themselves. It sounds as though some action will be needed in your community if you wish to stop the behavior unless this animal runs out of food and moves on. In most cases, once a predator gets established, they tend to stick around so if you choose to "wait and see", it could prove costly.

By: adam

adam — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 03:24:43 +0000

well I live in Englewood Colorado all likely hood it was fox or a coyote and I was told a lot of cats in the neighborhood have been missing lately so I take it it's a good time to trap the culprit?

By: Tech Support

Tech Support — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:56:24 +0000

@adam: Without knowing what predator animals are active in your region, it's hard to say. I do know fox, coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, cougar, bear, badgers, fisher cats and raccoons have been known to attack cats but I'm sure there are more possibilities. And if you only found the hind legs, it was most likely consumed by the killing animal.

By: adam

adam — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:42:31 +0000

Last night my cat was ripped apart by either a fox or a coyote all that was left of her was her back legs is the above trap the best way to go? Plus was curious what I should do when I do catch the predator that likely killed my cat? What do you think killed and ate her? Can a fox really catch a mid aged fit cat? Or was it likely a coyote? Thanks for the time anyone!

By: Tech Support

Tech Support — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 11:46:25 +0000

@Jacey: Don't waste your time with meat. Use something alive along with the live bait cage we talk about in the post above. Fox get hypnotized by prey animals like rabbit, rats, mice and other small animals. Using one in live trap like the ones we have featured above will work hands down; using lures and meat will tend to catch young, immature animals only so your experience thus far is to be expected.
LT152248RD: http://www.bugspraycart.com/traps/cage/live-trap-15-x-22-x-48-rear-door
Bait Cage: http://www.bugspraycart.com/traps/cage/live-bait-cage

By: Jacey

Jacey — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 04:17:00 +0000

We have a -ton- of foxes running around our area (a neighbor was keeping them as pets in her culvert)… now that the babies have grown and have had babies of their own they are becoming an enormous headache for us since they are eating our chickens like crazy!…. We've been able to catch 2 of the 3 pups by our place but the mom fox seems way too smart to go near a trap… any ideas??? We've tried the raw meat (hamburger) leaving it by their den opening… and have had no luck! Any other suggestions????

By: Tech Support

Tech Support — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:52:29 +0000

@ashley: Probably not. In most states it's prohibited from keeping wild animals as pets but you'll need to check your local ordinances to see for sure. Call your local "animal control" office; the one funded and run by your state. I'm pretty sure most every county in the USA has one. If you're not able to find a local office, contact your local Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Game or whoever handles the local hunting and fish regulations. I'm sure they'll be someone there who can answer for sure.

By: ashley

ashley — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 04:03:11 +0000

Is it legal to trap a fox and keep it as a pet??????????????????????