How to Set Fox Traps
With more people owning small pets and gardens at home, foxes have become quite a nuisance. Many who live near foxes choose to feed them while forgetting that they are wild animals that can cause sizable damage to property. Fox trapping has changed little since the 19th century. Most traps are very basic in design and, with the proper instructions, very easy to use. You may not get much regard from your neighbors who perceive the fox as cute, but you will have rid yourself of a pest.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Buy the proper supplies and take care to use them properly when trapping. Many new traps have oil or grease on them to prevent rust and decay. The scent of this may be strong enough to dissuade a fox from venturing nearby. Examine your traps and clean them if necessary.
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2
Find the fox's usual path if you can. A fox is more likely to venture closer to lures that have high proximity to its usual route. If the fox has damaged crops or livestock, set the trap near where the damage has been done.
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3
Set two coil traps. Set the coil traps 36 inches away from each other. After this, put a stake in the ground between the two traps to secure them. Make sure the stake is solidly in the ground. Otherwise a fox may just be able to run off with one of your traps.
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4
Spread hay around between and over the two traps. Make sure the hay is spread evenly and that it covers the traps completely. Make sure that none of the metal parts of the traps shine through the hay.
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5
Apply the fox lure to the hay. Do not use very much. Only a small bit is necessary. A few drops should do the trick. For the best effectiveness, put a small amount in the center of your setup and some on the traps themselves.
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6
Check the traps every morning. Stay as far from the traps as possible when checking them. After setting the traps it is important not to get any human scent on them. Foxes can pick up on this and will be more likely to avoid their usual routes if they smell a human.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you have pets for whom you may be setting traps to protect in the first place, make sure they cannot roam freely around the trapping area.
If you have caught a fox with the trap, it is possible to reuse the same hay without addition of more fox lure. If you must examine the trap closely, apply some fox lure to the bottom of your shoes beforehand.
