Fox

• Canid species with body 45–90cm long, bushy tail 30–55cm long.
• Males weigh around 6kg, females around 5kg.
• Muzzle is pointed.
• Skull is flattened, slender.
• Ears are large.

• Adaptable to variety of habitats, including deserts and urban environments such as inner-city areas, parklands and airports.
• Less likely to be found in tropical areas.
• Usually active at night and rests during day.

• Widespread throughout most of Queensland.
• Areas of north Queensland are the only parts of the state free of foxes.

• Breeds annually over 2–3 weeks in early winter, with gestation period of 51–53 days.
• Average litter size 4–10 pups.
• High mortality rate for young foxes, with up to 80% dying in first year.
• Most foxes live less than 4 years.

Economic

• Preys on lambs and kids, inflicting significant impact on sheep and goat industries.
• Occasionally damages irrigation systems and horticultural crops.

Environmental

• Greatest threat to long-term survival of many small marsupial species in Australia.
• Can significantly affect ground-nesting birds and turtles.

Social

• Preys on small or young animals, lambs, poultry and livestock, despite an abundance of food.
• Can spread diseases to domestic animals.

• Control methods include shooting, trapping, fencing, baiting, and livestock guardian dogs, combined with land management.

Shooting

• Shooting is an opportunistic method, mostly used to control small populations or individual problem animals.

Trapping

• Trapping is time-consuming and labour-intensive. Success using leg-hold traps and snares depends on operator's skill.
• Effective when used as part of integrated approach.
• Only padded or offset laminated jawed traps are acceptable.
• May be used in conjunction with trap alert systems to ensure trapped foxes are attended to quickly.
• Can be used on urban fringe.
• Minimal impact on non-target species if used correctly.

Poisoning

• Poison baits are an economical and effective control method. Processed manufactured baits or fresh meat baits can be laid quickly by hand, vehicle or from air, with population reductions of more than 90% recorded from some baiting campaigns.
• There are 2 poisons that can be legally used for fox control: 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) and PAPP (para-aminopropiophenone).
• These poisons are restricted chemical products also known as S7 poisons. The possession, supply and use of S7 poisons is regulated under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 and associated regulations and other Queensland Health Regulations. Read Queensland Health medicines and poisons for full details.
• Commercial manufactured 1080 or PAPP baits may be purchased from licenced S7 retailers subject to the buyer fulfilling the requirements of the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019.
• Poison baits must always be used in accordance with the product label directions or the conditions of an Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) minor use permit and meet the requirements of the Queensland Health departmental standard.
• Some local government agencies (LGA) provide a baiting service for landholders in their area. Contact your LGA for further information.

Guard animals

• Guard dogs (primarily maremmas) and alpacas are used to protect sheep and goats from foxes in many countries, including Australia.

Exclusion fencing

• Exclusion fencing is expensive, and fences must be well maintained due to foxes' agility and ability to squeeze through small holes. Fencing is most often used to protect high-value stock, poultry or wildlife from foxes in settled areas where other control methods cannot be used.
• Consider secure poultry runs and night yards for small livestock in areas with foxes. Foxes can dig and climb so construct runs and yards with this in mind.

• The fox is a category 3, 4, 5 and 6 restricted invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
• You must not move, keep, feed, give away, sell, or release into the environment. Penalties may apply.
• You must take all reasonable and practical measures to minimise the biosecurity risks associated with dealing with foxes under your control. This is called a general biosecurity obligation (GBO).
• At a local level, each local government agency (LGA) must have a biosecurity plan that covers invasive animals in its area. This plan may include actions to be taken on foxes. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact your LGA for more information.