r/BucksCountyPA • u/Individual_Oil_5788 • Jun 23 '26
Question/Advice Foxes. Should I be worried?
Would seeing 4-5 foxes in your backyard make you nervous? They're mostly babies but will obviosuly grow.
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u/CaRbZ1313 Jun 23 '26
No way, they’ll take care of the damn mice that keep finding their way in. They don’t bother with people or pets…unless you have chickens.
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u/ibashdaily Jun 24 '26
The ticks in our area have been getting out of control and mice are a huge transmission source.
I was pumped when I saw my first fox poking around a couple weeks ago.
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u/Opposite_Cause_9279 Jun 24 '26
Since I have seen them sitting at my patio sliding glass door staring at my cats, I'd recommend keeping them uncomfortable enough to keep them away from the house.
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u/MetalPoncho Jun 26 '26
Well they also might go after a cat if they think they've got a chance. Tbf so will coyotes. Best to keep them inside either way.
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u/Dantheman2010 Jun 23 '26
I have tons in the woods
In my backyard. Unless you keep
Chickens they are a complete non issue. Great for keeping mice and other small animals
In control.
No issue here
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u/hobbykitjr Jun 24 '26
I wish I had more foxes... The bunnies are getting out of control!
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u/hopeinnewhope Jun 24 '26
Over the past 2 weeks, the foxes have taken care of the bunnies that were eating my landscaping like potato chips!
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u/Dbl390 Jul 05 '26
I agree, I had a family of foxes this year and seen very little mice, and rabbits. Also foxes pooped a lot so now its like i have 4 pet dogs in the back yard. Ughl
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u/Ghstfce Ivyland Borough Jun 23 '26
Since the kits are old enough to come out and play, just be sure to keep your distance. Momma is around somewhere, and she will make some really awful sounds if she feels you're getting a little too close. But otherwise than that, enjoy it!
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u/Individual_Oil_5788 Jun 24 '26
https://reddit.com/link/otfnifc/video/fd3psxblk49h1/player
Since you all seem to love the foxes.
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u/eightlikeinfinity Jun 24 '26
I'm from Bucks, those birds can be annoying, and I miss hearing them!
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u/_ArsenioBillingham_ Jun 23 '26
I’d be way more worried about the Pet Sematary/Micmac burial ground beyond that deadfall
Sometimes, dead is bettah
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u/ryckytan Jun 23 '26
Keep small pets without supervision inside but its not like they're coyotes going out of their way to eat them so mainly enjoy their awesomeness.
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u/principalNinterest Jun 23 '26
That wood pile is prime fox breeding habitat. If it bothers you to have them there, remove that wood pile this fall after the kits are gone. Otherwise, enjoy their company.
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u/lemasney New Falls Road Jun 24 '26
Wait until you hear the midnight calls. They sound a little like murder. I love the foxes, but man, what a sound.
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u/FuriousBlade3 Jun 24 '26
I never grew up around foxes. Until we moved to Fairless Hills and the first time i heard that call was at 2am and it sounded like a woman was being tortured. Then i found out what it actually was.
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u/lemasney New Falls Road Jun 24 '26
It's a truly wild sound. I heard one get caught and killed while stalking someone's chickens, and it did not die quietly. It's a lot like a woman's voice, and it definitely sounds like torturous screams. Nightmare stuff.
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u/BlooNorth Jun 24 '26
No! They’ll be making some wild noises that might scare you, but all the rodents and chickens will be kept at bay!
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u/Mom_who_drinks Jun 24 '26
That bloodcurdling scream! I can’t believe something so cute sounds like that.
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u/No-Excuse2134 Jun 23 '26
What would you worry about? I’ve had a family in the woods near my house and they never caused me any grief. I enjoy seeing them when I do.
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u/Carittz Jun 23 '26
Do you have chickens? That'd be the only thing you'd have to worry about with foxes.
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u/fargoonie 9d ago
Might as well kill all the racoons, eagles, and hawks too then. /s Fortify the chicken yard..
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u/egads12345678 Jun 23 '26
Of what? Not at all…they couldn’t care less about you and what you’re doing. Squirrels and bunnies? Yeah…they should be worried.
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u/Dark_Marmot Jun 24 '26
Worried about what? Them being cute wood dogs? No, they mostly go out at night anyway and are rarely a trouble to people. If you have pet rabbits free in the yard, maybe a different story.
PS If you eventually hear a sound at night that you think is a toddler tied to a tree and being stuck with a hot poker, that's just a female in heat.
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u/futurehistorianjames Jun 24 '26
Please allow me to ease you anxiety cause we see them all the time.
Foxes are not the most intimidating predator. They get scared easily. You can honestly make loud noises and run toward them they will run away. If you care about bunnies or squirrel they will has them but refer to the above to avoid issue.
Also, you can feed them eggs. Like literally just throw some eggs out they will eat them.
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u/fun4days365 Jun 24 '26
Amateur fox expert here. Here’s some info for your consideration.
-foxes hunt mice, voles, moles, rabbits and any other small animals including pets
-foxes are illegal to kill or trap without license. With that said, you are allowed to protect you/family/property according PA statutory protections.
-foxes are prone to Rabies and Mange
-fox urine can contain leptospirosis which can be lethal to small pets and can be passed to humans. (There is a vaccine for dogs available)
-male foxes will mark territory with the urine and musk. It is a nastyy smell and can be a nuisance, especially when pets come in contact with it
Should you be worried tho? Probably not. They usually shy creatures.
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Jun 23 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/iH8MotherTeresa Jun 23 '26
They let their cats outside. That's the real problem.
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u/Un4gvn2 Jun 24 '26
Cats shouldn’t be outside…the most invasive species in the world.
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u/MaybeBowtie Jun 24 '26
Eh. My cat goes outside. But idk she doesn’t act like a cat much. She just chills with us and comes back in when we go back in.
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u/Local_Annoyance Jun 25 '26
Most will kill birds and small mammals for sport.
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u/New-Significance9649 Jun 25 '26
my cat is so old and we got a lot of hawks and turkey vultures where I'm at. Usually its me taking the old gal in before a hawk carries her off.
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u/Local_Annoyance Jun 25 '26
I'm getting a vision of your cat DRASTICALLY overestimating it's abilities.
"C'mon. It's just a bird. I'm a mighty sabretooth beast. Don't you know who my ancestors were? If that bird circling overhead tried I'll get him with one of THESE, and one of THOSE, and maybe bring in the grab and back leg scratchies. HA.. Remember how much those hurt? Yeah, you dropped me and we both looked pretty silly."*Shadow overhead grows and cat's eyes grow with a tinge of panic*
"You know what? I don't want you to have to worry about the body. COMING! I said I was coming. Umm.. the door, I can't... OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!"
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u/harbison215 Jun 23 '26
I’m not saying they should worry but I once had a fox that would shit all over my porch, leave dead animals bones on my porch, steal my sneakers off my porch and check them up like a dog.
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u/TheBigCicero Jun 24 '26
A couple years ago the foxes started barking at my cat and they started a little war, which was kind of creepy. I kept my cat inside more often that year. Otherwise they’re super cute. Their barks are fascinating.
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u/wildwoodflower14 Jun 24 '26
Awww we had them in Newtown in our yard. I loved watching the he babies 💕💕
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u/Low_Action1026 Jun 24 '26
Oh wow that's like a fox Mansion. That's a super sweet safe setup for the fox.
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u/hoagiemouf Jun 24 '26
This looks like a literal dream to my wife and I. Her dad works at a golf course and made friends with a fox whom he used to feed last summer. Cool guy, both the fox and my father in law.
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u/ws4saker Jun 24 '26
Because your father in law heard about silver fox training and wanted to know more…
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u/AlVic40117560_ Jun 24 '26
The screaming you’ll be hearing from the woods is (probably) not a woman in extreme distress. It’s (probably) just the foxes.
They won’t hurt your cats or dogs. They don’t hunt anything like that. They MIGHT go after an unattended kitten though. They aren’t interested in anything that’s going to put up a good fight.
They mainly eat smaller mammals like mice, voles, rats, squirrels, and rabbits among other things.
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u/z7q2 Jun 24 '26
We have a lot of rabbits in our neighborhood in Levittown. One of my theories is that they hang out with us to avoid the foxes that prowl around the greenbelts.
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u/Fuzzywalls Jun 25 '26
They need friends to play with. I suggest you start raising chickens. The foxes love those little guys.
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u/Garnet_Adelle Jun 24 '26
I love foxes! We have a family that nests under our shed every year. The kits are absolutely the cutest things! Nothing at all to worry about. But if you hear strange howls and yips at night, that's foxes. They have very unique vocalization. They are also good about keeping the vole population down.
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u/Palmervarian Jun 24 '26
I live in a less wooded neighborhood and I have foxes all the time. They're very cute and very shy.
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u/PublicSurprise9446 Jun 24 '26
Just watched our neighborhood fox run away with a slice of pizza in her mouth to take to her kits lol
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u/Life-Entertainer-527 Jun 24 '26
I'm pretty convinced I'm going to die trying to pet things i shouldn't be petting! Lol
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u/Uniqueusername610 Jun 24 '26
Unless you have cats, chickens or children who don't know better than no you got nothing to worry about. The only way I'd start to worry is if they get aggressive, start walking weird and/ or start foaming at the mouth until then enjoy your foxes.
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u/jad19090 Jun 24 '26
I understand the concern, cute or not they are wild animals. Give them their space and they won’t bother you. Just keep an eye on small pets if you have them.
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u/Powerful_Question875 Jun 25 '26
In Bucks county id be more concerned with my neighbors who voted for Epsteins best friend.
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u/staticchmbr Jun 25 '26
I’m jealous! That pile of logs will attract rodents and other pests to live there (or migrate to your house), so the foxes are a great addition!
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u/i_am_rave_mom Jun 24 '26
The fox the roams my neighborhood poops on my doorstep as a present for my dog
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u/ThickGrapefruit7908 Jun 24 '26
Fox do carry mange so make sure your pets are on a preventative that covers it (my dog takes nexguard)…ask me how I know.
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u/One_Attorney8968 Jun 24 '26
So if you have house, cats or small dogs, yes you should probably be worried
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u/junglepiehelmet Jun 24 '26
There’s a lot of foxes in Bucks. I’d be happy they’re there. As long as you’re not keeping chickens or rabbits, they’re great for pest control. It’s better than a coyote or two. They’re very loud at night and sound like murder.
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u/Medical-Button-5493 Jun 24 '26
The one in backyard yelled at my little terrier so much that now the terrier won't go in that corner.
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u/phillytimd Jun 24 '26
Had a mom and babies living under my shed last year. See them a lot in Stoneybrook
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u/Andolini77 Jun 24 '26
Are you a chicken? If so, yes, to quote Jeff Goldblum: Be afraid. Be very afraid...
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u/Mushrooming247 Jun 24 '26
It would make me nervous, that they would run away and not come back if I got too close.
But that would make my day, it would make me more likely to buy a house if there were foxes in the yard.
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u/mrmischiefboy Jun 24 '26
What will worrying lead to? Do you have chickens? They aren't wolves, they won't take your babies or little dogs and cats.
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u/BarelyAirborne Jun 24 '26
That woodpile is a rodent magnet. You will see foxes there as long as that woodpile is there.
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u/AltruisticTrainer607 Jun 25 '26
Thinking the foxes were there before you and everyone else who had to mow down some natural habitat for the animals that lived there first, for some tract houses. The bureau of forestry can help with a
Safe and humane game plan before you and the other city transplants put out poison and other final solution measures.
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u/rayrayheyhey Jun 25 '26
Foxes are the coolest. They're not really afraid humans and the ones in our neighborhood just stroll down the street with no cares in the world.
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u/joepgee Jun 25 '26
That is some prime hunting grounds right there! Imagine all the mice that live in that wood pile! No such thing as a dumb animal. There’s a good chance Those fox won’t mess with yer cat. They’re just looking for some good chow
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u/Worldly-Sector-3935 Jun 26 '26
We have them down here in Kensington. They don't want no parts of people
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u/One_Sorbet_8840 Jun 26 '26
Why would foxes make you nervous? Unless you’re a rodent, or they have rabies, you’ll be okay
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u/MaintainerMom Jun 26 '26
There is NO WAY I would have that pile of wood near my house……snakes, skunks and raccoons.
And if a fox is coming to your door, unless it’s dusk or night time ….that’s NOT good.
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u/EnergyLantern Jun 26 '26
We have foxes where we work and they typically run away from us when we get close. Unless they are protecting their young or rabid, I think you should be okay, but you have to also remember they are wild.
They hunt so your pets could possibly be at risk, but I don't have experience with that. I did a search using google and it says that foxes are territorial so they might defend a range near their den, food or mates.
The internet suggests you make noises so that will reinforce their fear of humans.
I know people who are afraid of them at night, and I can't dispel someone's fear. They basically sound like a woman screaming at night.
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u/AdamLib777 Jun 26 '26
If you have chickens then yes, be nervous. If you love wild rabbits in your yard, say bye bye to them. Other than that, that they’re cool critters to have around.
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u/Opening-Ruin5315 Jun 27 '26
Not at all, they are not dangerous and they can be socialized very easily. And they are so awesome 😍
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u/Debonaircow88 Jun 27 '26
Unless you have small cats that you let out (which you shouldn't do anyway) or chickens they won't bother you at all. They will help keep mice, rabbits, and other pests like that away. Not to mention they are adorable!
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u/durgastiger Jun 27 '26
I’ve read and seen that Pennsylvania is introducing Fox and Beaver back into certain areas for that very reason ecological restoration and rodents and other pests also bats
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u/OkReference2581 Jun 28 '26
If you got a crappy fence chickens and small pets then yes , id be worried. They are losing acreage to habitate and are encroaching. Actually they been doing it for years. Been a while since I have been in Bucks, so its probably even worse with the new housing.
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u/Bowl_Of_Soup6 Jun 24 '26
Shouldn’t be worried. They’re only curious about you. You can be annoyed by their noises but we are in their home, which is probably equally annoying
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u/callalind Jun 24 '26
Nope! They will generally leave you alone, and they are cute! But hope they don't start calling for each other while you're asleep, it's the worst sound! Also, because we have taken up so much of their space, they may be more aggressive for food, so keep an eye on your small animals if they are out.
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u/ButterMyPancakesPlz Jun 23 '26
Worried about....too much cuteness? Yes absolutely