Hey there! As someone who’s dealt with sneaky foxes in my backyard for years, I’ve learned quite a bit about these clever creatures and their impressive jumping abilities. Let me share what I’ve discovered about foxes and fences plus some proven ways to keep them out of your yard.
The Short Answer
Yes, foxes can definitely jump over fences! These agile creatures can jump up to 3 feet high directly from the ground. But here’s the scary part – they can actually climb fences up to 6 feet high or even higher using their sharp claws. Pretty impressive (and annoying), right?
How Do Foxes Get Over Fences?
These crafty creatures use several methods to get past fencing:
- Jumping: Clear vertical jumps of 3 feet
- Climbing: Can scale fences up to 6+ feet using their claws
- Using leverage: They’ll use nearby objects like trees, bins, or garden furniture as launching pads
- Digging: If they can’t go over, they’ll try going under by digging beneath the fence
- Finding gaps: They’ll squeeze through any weak spots or holes in fencing
Why Are Foxes Coming to Your Yard?
Before we talk solutions, let’s understand why these furry visitors keep coming back. In my experience, foxes are usually attracted to yards for two main reasons:
Food Sources
- Pet food left outside
- Outdoor pet water bowls
- Bird feeders and fallen seeds
- Trash bins
- Compost piles (especially those with fish or meat scraps)
- Small pets or livestock
- Fruit and vegetables in gardens
- Rodents
Shelter Opportunities
- Dark, enclosed spaces
- Areas under decks
- Crawl spaces
- Dense bushes
- Abandoned structures
How to Fox-Proof Your Fence
I’ve found these methods super effective at keeping foxes out
1. Height Matters
- Minimum fence height: 6 feet
- Recommended height: 8 feet for extra security
2. Add These Deterrents
- Coyote rollers on top of fence
- Outward-facing overhangs
- Electric fence wire (combined with regular fencing)
- Buried fence extending 1.5 feet underground
3. Choose the Right Materials
- Steel posts instead of wood (harder to climb)
- Wire fencing specs:
- Thickness: > 0.9mm gauge
- Hole size: 3×3 inches minimum
- Avoid regular chicken wire (too flimsy)
Beyond Fencing: Additional Fox Prevention Tips
Remove Attractions
- Keep pet food inside
- Clean up fallen fruit
- Secure trash bins
- Block access to crawl spaces
- Remove standing water
- Pick ripe vegetables promptly
- Keep small pets indoors at night
Deterrent Methods
- Motion-activated lights
- Night-time garden lighting
- Noise-making devices
- Fox repellent sprays
- Human hair scattered around (yes, really!)
- Used cat or dog urine (sounds gross, but works!)
When to Call the Pros
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, those pesky foxes just won’t take the hint. If you’ve tried everything and still have problems, it’s probably time to call animal control experts. They’re trained to handle wildlife humanely and can often solve persistent fox problems more effectively than DIY methods.
Final Thoughts
While foxes are amazing climbers and jumpers, they’re not impossible to stop. The key is using multiple deterrent methods together – no single solution is perfect on its own. I’ve found that combining a proper fence setup with removing attractants works best.
Remember, maintaining your fox-proofing is just as important as setting it up. Check your fencing regularly for damage, keep your yard clean, and stay consistent with deterrent methods. With some patience and the right approach, you can definitely keep those clever foxes out of your yard!
Have you tried any of these methods? What worked best for you? I’d love to hear about your experiences dealing with foxes in your yard!
Need more backyard tips? Check out our other articles on dealing with wildlife and protecting your outdoor space!
Fencing for fox control
Barrier or exclusion fencing is a non-lethal method commonly used to prevent fox attacks on domestic livestock and threatened wildlife species. Although fences are commonly used to protect livestock (eg poultry) from fox predation on a small backyard scale, they have only recently been used on a larger scale in Australia. This has mainly been in response to the need to protect threatened wildlife species and the availability of electric fencing materials.
Fencing can be effective, but the barrier is not absolute. A monitoring system and a management plan need to be in place to rapidly detect and control any breaches. Surplus killing (where they kill more than they can eat) by foxes that manage to breach a fence protecting endangered species can be catastrophic. Additional fox control in a buffer zone outside the enclosure can make fencing much more effective.
There are a range of fence designs that have been developed to exclude foxes. Choosing the best design depends on:
- which species are to be protected
- the area to be covered
- whether other pests are also to be excluded (eg rabbits)
- the presence of non-target animals
- maintenance resources and budget.
Features of the local environment also need to be considered, such as the topography, substrate (soil, rock etc), vegetation density, climatic conditions and geographical location.
A standard-height fence with electric wires added for deterrence. This is a relatively cheap fence to construct and maintain, although it does not provide a complete barrier to all foxes. It is best used in areas that can tolerate occasional fox incursions1,2.
Most fence designs are composites containing wire netting and electric wires. Wire netting (40—50 mm diameter hexagonal) stops foxes pushing through the base of the fence (30 mm diameter is needed if rabbits are to be excluded as well). Electric wires are used as added deterrents, although they are generally ineffective by themselves. Placement and spacing of wires can vary (see diagrams).
Foxes are excellent diggers, so the wire netting should be either buried at least 450 mm underground or attached to a concrete or wooden floor (in the case of a small pen). Alternatively, an apron of netting angled outwards across the ground for 300—600 mm at the base of the fence is also effective. These aprons need to be secured with weights or pegs in areas of soft substrate or water courses.
Foxes are also excellent jumpers and climbers. They can jump a standard 900 mm fence; so many designs double this height (1800 mm) using more netting or various spacings of electric wires. However, this naturally increases the cost of the fence. Standard-height fences are often used when the area can tolerate occasional fox incursions and the cost needs to be minimised.
An outward-facing overhang can also prevent animals scaling the fence. These overhangs can be floppy or rigid and incorporate electric wires as added deterrents. In smaller pens, a complete wire netting roof is also an option.
Posts and corners are often targeted by foxes and should be given special consideration. Steel posts are more difficult than timber ones for an animal to climb. Extra netting should be added at corners to discourage climbing. Weak points in netting and joins should be strengthened to prevent foxes from forcing their way through. Wire needs to be thicker than 0.9 mm, as foxes can chew through this gauge.
A fence of mid-range price that increases the height of a standard fence by using closely spaced electric wires to prevent foxes climbing and jumping. The mesh apron prevents digging, and the smaller size mesh at the bottom prevents access by rabbits1,2.
A relatively expensive fence, designed to protect native wildlife. The extra height and use of wire overhang make it virtually impossible for foxes (and cats) to gain access by jumping or climbing. The mesh apron prevents digging, and the smaller size mesh at the bottom prevents access by rabbits1,2.
It is important to contact the relevant federal, state or territory government agency before undertaking fox control to ensure you have the right permits in place
Fox leaping over fence
FAQ
Can a Fox jump over a 6 foot fence?
No, foxes can’t jump over a 6 feet tall fence. However, they can still scale a 6 feet wall by using their claws to climb up after the initial jump. Red foxes can jump as high as 6 feet. Red foxes are bigger than most other fox species, giving them extra height when jumping. How High Can a Fennec Fox Jump?
Do foxes climb fences?
The good news is that there are simple additions you can make to your fence to keep even determined foxes away from your garden. Foxes are highly skilled climbers. Not only that, but they can jump quite high and will also use nearby objects as leverage to get over a fence if they can’t clear it on their own.
How do foxes jump?
The highest fox jumps are achieved with a running start for extra momentum and lift. Foxes’ jumping skills allow them to easily clear many fences under 6 feet tall without needing to climb or dig underneath. A motivated fox can combine jumping with climbing abilities to get over higher fences up to 7 feet.
How high can a Fox climb a fence?
Foxes can jump up to 3 feet, but with their claws, they can climb up to 6 feet. They can climb fences or trees, and do so to get food or to get away from predators. Foxes are quite acrobatic, and with strong legs and claws, they’re good climbers. They’re seen as pests, climbing over fences into people’s gardens or yards.
How high can a Fox Jump?
Many foxes can jump three feet high, and with their claws, they can climb up six feet high or even higher. As such, unless you’re prepared to build a new Berlin Wall around your home, it isn’t the best way to keep foxes out. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few tips and tricks to help you outfox those foxes and keep them out of your yard.
Can a red fox jump a fence?
An urban red fox in the UK can scramble over a 6ft fence and can jump up to 3ft and dig under a fence. They are excellent jumpers and climbers.