Hello this is Ben from the Fox Repellent Expert website and welcome to  the latest episode of this podcast.

This is the twelfth and final episode in this particular series looking at what the UK’s foxes are up to during each month of the year. This time I’m looking at the month of December to explore the behaviour of the foxes in your garden and local area.

December is a crucial month for foxes, especially the males, as the breeding season truly heats up. The stakes couldn’t be higher—this is their last chance to secure a mate for the season. With the vixen’s narrow fertility window in early January, the males have to position themselves now to ensure they’re ready when the time comes.

As we’ve discussed in earlier episodes, a vixen is only fertile for three days a year, usually in late December or early January. That’s three days out of 365. With such a small window, the competition among males is understandably fierce. It’s not uncommon to see—or more likely, hear—several dog foxes vying for the attention of a single vixen.

You might notice the noise levels in your neighbourhood increasing this month, especially between dusk and the early hours. The sharp, shrill cries you hear are often the vixen advertising her presence, letting the males know where to find her. In response, the males will bark back, and sometimes the competition can escalate into aggressive encounters. These vocalisations form a dramatic, almost eerie, soundtrack to December nights, and if you’re a light sleeper, you may find yourself rudely awakened!

But it’s not just about noise. This time of year is also when foxes are especially protective of their territories. The males, in particular, are keen to secure a safe, established area where they can bring up cubs if they’re successful in mating. For a fox family, territory is everything. It’s their source of food, shelter, and safety, and defending it becomes a priority as breeding season approaches.

For the younger males, this might mean entering into unfamiliar territory in search of a mate, which can lead to confrontations with older, more dominant foxes. And for the older males, December is about holding their ground against these newcomers. It’s a high-stakes game, and the competition is relentless.

So, if you’re noticing foxes behaving more boldly in your garden this month, it’s likely all part of this breeding preparation. They’re staking their claim, ensuring they have everything in place to create the next generation of foxes. It’s an intense period for these urban animals, but it’s also a fascinating glimpse into their world.

December also brings Christmas, which isn’t just a busy time for us humans; it’s also a particularly indulgent period for foxes, thanks to the sheer amount of food we waste. Around Christmas, food waste reaches its peak. With the festive rush, many of us over-buy, over-cater, and inevitably over-stock on food that often ends up in the bin. And for foxes, this can be like striking gold.

Foxes have a remarkable sense of smell, and the scent of discarded leftovers—turkey bones, pigs in blankets, or even the remnants of your Christmas pudding—can lure them to your garden or the streets in search of an easy meal. The issue is made worse by disrupted bin collection schedules over the holiday period, leaving waste sitting out longer than usual. For a hungry fox, that’s an open invitation to rummage.

But it’s not just your leftovers that might attract them. Even recyclable waste, such as empty tins, food cartons, or bottles, can tempt a curious fox if it hasn’t been rinsed properly. And while we’re often encouraged to feed the birds in winter, throwing scraps directly onto the ground can lead to unintended consequences. Not only might you attract foxes, but you could also draw in rats, mice, or other less welcome visitors.

So, what can you do to minimise fox visits over the festive period? Firstly, secure your rubbish as best you can. Use wheelie bins, lidded dustbins, or sturdy containers to stop foxes—and other animals—from accessing your waste. If you’re disposing of a turkey or chicken carcass, try wrapping it tightly in aluminium foil to mask the smell before throwing it away. Rinse out recyclable items like tins and milk cartons thoroughly, and if you’re feeding the birds, use feeders or bird tables rather than scattering food on the ground.

I recently listened to an interview with a professional fox controller, who explained that the period around Christmas is one of his busiest times of the year. With so much food waste about, foxes naturally become more adventurous and bolder in their search for a meal, often leading to complaints from people unhappy with their sudden fox ‘problem.’

While calling in a fox controller might seem like a quick fix, it’s worth considering other options first. There are plenty of humane deterrents available to discourage foxes from visiting your garden, many of which we’ve covered in previous episodes. Things like motion-activated sprinklers, ultrasonic devices, and even careful garden management can make a big difference.

Remember, foxes are just doing what comes naturally to survive, and much of the problem stems from us providing the temptation in the first place. By securing waste and being mindful of how we manage our outdoor spaces, we can reduce the chances of fox visits without resorting to drastic measures. Most people feel very guilty about throwing food away over Christmas, so try and do what you can to minimise the food waste you create this year.

As December unfolds, the foxes’ preparations for breeding season remind us of nature’s endless cycle. The shrieks, the barks, the fierce competition—it’s all about ensuring the next generation gets their start in life. Each cub born next spring will face the same challenges their parents overcame: finding food, establishing territory, and, eventually, contributing to the cycle themselves.

While foxes might sometimes test our patience—digging up gardens, raiding bins, or waking us with their nighttime calls—it’s hard not to marvel at their resilience and adaptability. These clever creatures have learned to thrive alongside us, navigating the challenges of urban and rural life alike.

So, as you prepare for the festive season and perhaps catch a glimpse of a fox darting across the street or exploring your garden, take a moment to reflect on the role they play in the natural world. The circle of life goes round again, and foxes, for all their quirks, are an important part of it.

Well, that’s it for this episode of the Fox Repellent Expert podcast. I hope this 12-part series has been insightful and informative, regarding some of the fox activity in your area over the course of the year. I’ll put any links mentioned in this episode in the show notes.

If you found today’s episode interesting, you can subscribe to the Fox Repellent Expert podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Please feel free to leave a review as it helps other people find the show.

Thank you very much for listening and I’ll see you next time.