How to get rid of a fox den in West Virginia | Fox

West Virginia > Animal is under my porch, deck or shed > Fox

How to get rid of a fox den

Photo accompanying step 1

Foxes normally use abandoned burrows, hollow trees, and rock piles as dens, but sometimes a fox will den and give birth to its young under a porch, deck, or shed. If possible, allow them to stay until the young are two months old and begin accompanying the adults on hunts.

If you need the foxes to move sooner, then you should encourage them to move out by:

  • Making loud noises
  • Playing loud music near the den
  • Using strobe lights and/or motion sensor alarms
  • Using repellents, such as soap shavings, vinegar, commercial fox repellents, or coyote urine

If there are young present, the adults will need time to locate an alternate den and return to remove each pup.

Once the den has been abandoned, close the entrance with rocks, logs, or bricks. Bury 1/4- to 1/2-inch hardware cloth a few inches below ground, 12 feet around every potential entrance. 

Assistance in West Virginia

Contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for a list of licensed Animal Damage Control agents in your area who can assist with animal removal, damage, damage prevention, and clean up.  Be aware that they charge for their services.  Your local Division of Natural Resources office can provide guidance regarding nuisance wildlife.  They can also provide you with a permit to remove or destroy certain animals, and advice on how to do so, if it is necessary or desirable for you to trap or shoot animals yourself.  Federally protected species require additional permits as noted if necessary.

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources district offices:    

District 1       Farmington              304 825-6787

District 2       Romney                   304 822-3551                                                                                                                           

District 3       French Creek          304 924-6211

District 4       Beckely                   304 256-6947

District 5       Alum Creek             304 756-1023

District 6       Parkersburg            304 420-4550

Op Center    Elkins                      304 637-0245

Trapped animals must be humanely dispatched.  They may not be relocated without prior approval from West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Laws and regulations to be aware of

While we attempt to provide guidance about state and federal regulations pertaining to specific species and control techniques, we do not provide information about local jurisdictions (city, town, county, etc.) where regulations may be more restrictive, especially as it applies to discharge of firearms, transport of animals or use of trapping equipment. Contact your local city or county government to inquire further. No guarantee is made that information (or lack of information) associated with a species or control technique is completely accurate or current. You should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before beginning any wildlife control activities.

Was this solution helpful?

Yes No

More solutions for fox problems

How to feed my pets when wild animals are attractedExplore this solution

How to handle garbage to avoid animal problemsExplore this solution

What to do if I see a wild animalExplore this solution

How to protect pets from foxesExplore this solution

How to protect poultry from predatorsExplore this solution

What should I do if I find an orphaned or abandoned young baby wild animal?Explore this solution

What to do with an animal that is behaving strangely or aggressivelyExplore this solution