Tool 5.7 Fox control options

Control option 

When best to use  

Advantages  

Disadvantages 

Aerial 1080 baiting 

Recommended for large, sparsely populated areas that are remotely located and inaccessible by vehicles. 

Lethal baiting is considered to be the most effective method currently available. 
Foxes are amongst the most sensitive species to the effects of 1080. 
Cost effective over large areas. 

Risk to non-target species. 
No way to assess number of baits taken. 
Risk to trappers' dogs. 
Foxes tend to be bait shy. 
Not suited near urban/residential areas. 

Ground baiting with 1080 or PAPP poison 

Ground baiting is the preferred method on rural properties or national parks and forestry estates that are accessible by road. 

Lethal baiting is considered to be the most effective method currently available. 
Foxes are amongst the most sensitive species to the effects of 1080. 
Cost effective over large areas. 

Bait takes can be monitored if placed at marked or know locations. 

Untaken baits and fox carcasses can be collected. 

Risk to non-target species, including farm dogs. 

USE muzzles on working dogs or leave them at home when checking baits. 

 
Not suited near urban/residential areas. 

Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) using 1080 or PAPP capsules 

At baiting times 

Poison capsules are sealed and protected from the weather meaning the toxin remains viable until the CPE is activated by a wild dog or fox. 

Eliminates risk for many smaller non-target species 

Less risk to working dogs as they can’t be shifted. 

Device can be disarmed and removed during the day when using working dogs. 

Risk to farm dogs. 

USE muzzles on working dogs or leave them at home when checking baits. 

Den fumigation with CO2 

Fumigation should be carried out only when active dens containing young cubs more than 4 weeks old can be located. This will usually be around August to October. 

Best suited to localised fox problems such as active dens within lambing paddocks or near poultry. 
Relatively humane. 
Little risk to non-target species. 
Not affected by weather conditions. 

Time-consuming and labour intensive. 
Inefficient method for large-scale fox control. 
Very young foxes are relatively resistant to elevated CO2levels. 
CO2 is highly toxic to humans. 

Shooting 

Shooting is often used prior to lambing season and as an adjunct to other control methods. 

Good supplement to other control measures. 
Suitable when fox numbers don't justify a more comprehensive approach. 
Little risk to non-target species. 

Labour intensive – skilled operators with the appropriate licences are needed. 
Not suited for large scale fox control. 

Not suitable for areas of dense scrub or near urban areas. 

Trapping (soft jaw traps or cage traps) 

Where poison baiting is unacceptable and other methods cannot be used, e.g., semi-rural and urban/residential areas. 

Useful for the control of nuisance animals. 
Non-target species can be easily released. 

Not effective as a general fox control method on farm. 
Time consuming and labour intensive. 

Tool 5.7 More information – fox control

NSW Department of Primary Industries 

State-specific resources on fox control regulations and adaptation options for sheep producers. 

https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/vertebrate-pests/pest-animals-in-nsw/foxes/fox-control

Business Queensland 

State-specific resources on fox control regulations and adaptation options for sheep producers. 

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/biosecurity/animals/invasive/restricted/fox   

SA Department of Primary Industries & Regions 

State-specific resources on fox control regulations and adaptation options for sheep producers. 

https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/introduced-pest-feral-animals/find_a_pest_animal/foxes  

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania 

State-specific resources on fox control regulations and adaptation options for sheep producers. 

https://nre.tas.gov.au/invasive-species/invasive-animals/invasive-mammals/european-red-foxes  

Agriculture Victoria 

Offers state specific resources on fox control regulations, and adaptation options for sheep producers. 

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-animals/invasive-animal-management/integrated-fox-control  

WA Department of Primary Industries & Regions 

Offers state specific resources on fox control regulations, and adaptation options for sheep producers. 

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/chemicals/fox-control   

PestSmart Toolkit  

Provides information and guidance on best-practice invasive animal management on several key vertebrate pest species including rabbits, wild dogs, foxes and feral pigs. Information is provided as fact sheets, case-studies, technical manuals and research reports. 

www.pestsmart.org.au/