The gray fox and the swift fox are classified as threatened species and are subject to federal protection across Canada. Meanwhile, red foxes are protected outside of trapping and hunting seasons in Nova Scotia. In Ontario, however, it's legal to capture and relocate foxes if they're threatening your property.

The best thing to do is to deter foxes by removing food sources. Secure or lock garbage cans away, invest in bird feeders that don’t spill food onto the ground, protect edible crops and promptly clear up any fallen fruits. Fish, blood and bone fertilizer can also attract foxes, so consider switching to a plant-based product.

If a fox has already made its burrow in your backyard, wait until the cubs have left the den in late summer before actioning the above deterrents. You can encourage the mother fox to move her cubs by making noise and walking nearby.

Protected species in your backyard? Here's what to do in Canada