Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) is urging landholders to ramp up control efforts as fox kits begin to leave their dens and hunt for food independently.
The group is hosting a workshop on fox control for small landholders which aims to help property owners learn how to safely and effectively manage these invasive pests.
Foxes prey on native wildlife and livestock, causing significant ecological and economic damage. The animals are a declared invasive pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management (BAM) Act 2007 administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
The PHBG holds several workshops each year on control methods and loans traps to local landholders free of charge to bolster grassroots control efforts.
Small landholders who wish to learn more about non-chemical fox control methods can book a place at the October 12 ‘Fox control for small landholders’ workshop.
The workshop will feature fox expert and licensed pest management technician Eddie Juras, who will discuss all available control methods and provide insights into fox behaviour and biology—knowledge that can significantly improve control success.
Teele Hooper-Worrell, Executive Officer for PHBG, emphasised the importance of acting during spring and early summer to make a significant impact on fox numbers, as foxes can reproduce from as early as 10 months old.
“While larger landholders have access to a wider range of control methods to manage the impacts of foxes, it can be very challenging for smaller landholders. Foxes not only predate on chickens and young and native animals, but they also spread diseases like parvovirus and mange. This means the whole community needs to work together to reduce fox numbers,” Teele explained.
“Our workshops focus on trapping techniques that incorporate fox behaviour and biology knowledge to achieve success. Landholders in the Peel Harvey can loan fox traps from the PHBG for free, enabling them to protect their animals and fulfil their obligations under the BAM Act,” she added.
Landholders interested in attending PHBG workshops can find more information and register at PHBG.org
