Fox holes in your yard are most likely a den (called an “earth”) that a female fox dug to raise her young. The entrance is typically oval or rounded, about 12 inches wide and up to 28 inches tall, with a noticeable mound of loose soil pushed out front. The good news: foxes only use dens seasonally, and the family will almost certainly leave on its own within a few months.
How to Identify a Fox Den
Fox den entrances are distinctly oval-shaped, roughly 12 inches wide and up to about 2 feet tall. The tunnels angle downward at about 40 to 45 degrees and can extend 16 to 23 feet underground, sometimes longer. Underground chambers sit 3 to 10 feet below the surface, and most dens have more than one entrance, with a main opening and at least one emergency exit elsewhere in the yard.
Foxes prefer sheltered, well-drained spots with loose, easy-to-dig soil. Slopes, areas under sheds or decks, spots beneath dense shrubs or trees are all prime locations. If you see a hole in one of these areas, check for the telltale signs: fox droppings and scattered food remains (bones, feathers, fruit scraps) near the entrance. Unlike badger or groundhog burrows, fox dens have no bedding material inside or near the opening. The area around an active den often looks messy and trampled, especially once cubs are old enough to play outside.
You may also notice a strong, musky smell. Fox urine and scent markings are pungent, and the odor can be noticeable from several feet away when a den is actively in use.
When Foxes Use Dens (and When They Leave)
Foxes do not live in dens year-round. A den becomes active only when a mother fox is preparing to give birth, which typically happens between late March and early April. She’ll have four or five kits. For the first few weeks the kits stay underground, and the mother rarely leaves. As spring turns to summer, you’ll see the kits venturing out more, playing near the entrance, and gradually exploring the surrounding area.
By September, the family disperses. The kits become independent, and the adults return to sleeping above ground in sheltered spots. The den sits empty through fall, winter, and most of early spring. In many cases a fox family will reuse the same den the following year, so an abandoned hole in October could become active again the next March.
Risks to Pets and Children
The primary concern with a fox den in your yard isn’t the foxes themselves, which generally avoid people. It’s what they leave behind. A University of Melbourne study examining red foxes found that over 90 percent carried at least one parasite species. The most common were roundworms (found in 67 percent of foxes), hookworms (57 percent), and flea tapeworms. All of these parasites also infect dogs and cats, and several can infect humans.
The transmission route is usually fox droppings. Parasite eggs shed in feces contaminate the surrounding soil, where they can survive for months. Children playing in dirt near a den entrance, or dogs sniffing and digging around the hole, can pick up infections. If you have a fox den in your yard, keep pets and children away from the area while it’s active, and pick up any fox droppings you find using gloves and a bag.
Foxes can also carry sarcoptic mange, a highly contagious skin mite that transfers easily to dogs through direct contact or shared resting spots. If you notice a fox in your yard with patchy fur or crusty skin, keep your dog well away from any areas the fox frequents.
How to Tell If the Den Is Empty
Before you do anything to a fox hole, you need to confirm no one is home. Blocking an occupied den can trap kits underground, where they’ll die.
The RSPCA recommends a simple test: loosely place soil or small sticks over part of the entrance. Don’t pack it tightly. A fox can easily push through loose material, so you’re not trapping anyone. Check back after three to four days. If the soil or sticks haven’t moved at all, the den is likely empty. If they’ve been disturbed, the den is still active, and you should wait.
Timing matters. If you find the den between April and August, assume kits are present or nearby. Wait until at least September before testing, when the family has naturally moved on.
Filling or Closing the Den
Once you’ve confirmed the den is empty, pack the entrance firmly with soil. Some people mix in gravel or broken stone to discourage re-digging. Because fox tunnels can run 16 feet or more with multiple openings, walk the surrounding area and look for secondary exits. These are often smaller and partially hidden under vegetation. Fill those too.
For dens under sheds, decks, or porches, hardware cloth (heavy wire mesh) buried 12 to 18 inches deep along the structure’s perimeter is the most reliable long-term solution. Foxes are persistent diggers and will try to reopen a den site the following spring if it was successful before.
Legal Rules for Fox Removal
If the den is active and you want the foxes gone sooner, the law limits your options. In most U.S. states, it is illegal to live-trap a fox and relocate it off your property. In New York, for example, relocating any wild animal is prohibited because it spreads diseases and causes stress to the animal. Removing a fox classified as a nuisance requires a permit from the state wildlife agency, and the actual removal must be handled by a licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator.
Foxes that are actively damaging property (digging up landscaping, threatening pets or livestock) can generally be addressed more quickly, but you still need to work through your state’s wildlife agency or a licensed professional rather than handling it yourself. Regulations vary by state, so check with your local department of fish and wildlife for the specific rules where you live.
Deterring Foxes From Returning
The most effective long-term strategy is making your yard less appealing as a den site. Remove brush piles, dense ground cover, and debris that provide shelter. Seal gaps under sheds and decks with buried wire mesh before denning season begins in late winter. Keep trash cans secured, pick up fallen fruit, and don’t leave pet food outside overnight.
Motion-activated sprinklers and lights can discourage foxes from settling in, though determined females looking for a den site may tolerate the disturbance. Commercial fox repellent sprays (usually based on strong-smelling compounds) applied around previous den sites can help, but they need reapplication after rain. The combination of removing cover, sealing access points, and eliminating food sources is far more reliable than any single deterrent.