South Bethany

Foxes

South Bethany is located near wooded areas and the Assawoman Wildlife Refuge , therefore, various wildlife are in the area. The Town of South Bethany does not handle complaints of wildlife and animal control.

To deter such animals, please consider: 

• Hire professional wildlife control companies listed in yellow pages or online
• Contact DNREC Div. of Fish & Wildlife during business hours with questions at 302-739-9912
• https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-foxes

Fox Facts:

• Foxes have a natural fear of people and will normally flee, but have learned to associate people with food and may approach you.
• Foxes are not dangerous to humans, except when they are rabid, which is very rare. 
• A fox’s natural tendency is to flee rather than fight.
• Foxes may prey on small pets or livestock (such as rabbits, guinea pigs or chickens) which generally cannot defend itself, so those pets should be kept indoors or housed in sturdy structures.
• Foxes will also eat various fruits, but not garden vegetables.
• A fox cutting through your yard is moving on and no action is necessary on your part.
• Both red and gray foxes dig dens mostly for raising kits, but also to use as shelter from severe winter weather.
• Fox dens under porches, decks or sheds are not uncommon in urban areas. If you find a fox family in an inconvenient spot, consider allowing them to stay until the young are old enough to begin accompanying their parents on foraging outings, they will then move on. 
• Fox kits are born in the spring, usually in March or April, and you’ll see them emerge from the den four or five weeks after birth. At nine weeks, they will begin to hunt with their parents, and will be shortly leaving the den site.