A family daycare operating in a residence in Chambly, on the South Shore, called Nova Extermination following the discovery of a red fox that had set up a burrow under the play shed in the backyard. The presence of a wild animal in the immediate vicinity of young children required a rapid intervention, but also rigorously safe for all involved. The daycare manager had seen the animal several times in the afternoon, especially while the children were in the yard, playing a few meters from the shed. The residential area, located on the edge of a wooded area along the Richelieu River, encourages the presence of foxes that use private yards to nest and feed.
Security Inspection and Risk Assessment
Our technicians made an emergency visit the morning after the call, before the daycare opened. Inspection confirmed the presence of an active burrow under the raised floor of the play shed, with fresh traces at the main entrance. No fox cubs were observed or heard, indicating a solitary adult in the exploration and settlement phase, probably a female seeking an early calving site. The technicians assessed the level of risk to the children, which was considered moderate but not negligible due to the size of the animal and the likelihood of a defensive reaction if the children got too close. The temporary restriction of access to the backyard for the duration of the intervention was immediately put in place, with the full agreement of the manager. Our colleagues also inspected the fence edges and spaces under the deck for any other potential burrows on the property.
Gentle capture by directional cage trap
To minimize the animal’s stress and ensure the safety of children, staff and technicians, a directional entry cage trap was installed directly at the entrance to the burrow, covered with an opaque tarpaulin mimicking the natural darkness of the burrow. An olfactory lure made from fox urine and a high-protein food bait was used to steer the animal to the trap with confidence. The system was activated at the end of the afternoon, once the daycare was closed, and checked at sunrise the next day. The fox was captured on the first night, without injury. Our pest capture service applies rigorous protocols for sensitive environments such as daycares and schools. You can consult our previous realization of capture in a residential environment to learn more about our approach adapted to family contexts.
Closing the burrow and securing the yard
After the animal was relocated to a remote wooded area, our technicians proceeded to completely block the burrow with compacted gravel backfill, followed by the installation of a galvanized L-shaped mesh under the play shed along its entire perimeter. The entire perimeter of the shed has been secured to prevent any future access by wild animals. The spaces under the main terrace were also sealed off with a flexible mesh firmly fixed to the ground. Thanks to the permanent closure of entry points, the backyard is now impassable for small burrowing mammals. Nova Extermination is committed to providing sustainable solutions that are perfectly suited to childcare settings and the regulatory requirements of certified daycares.
Recommendations for daycare and prevention
Following the intervention, the daycare manager received a guide to preventive measures adapted to her professional context: bimonthly visual inspection of the fences and spaces under the play structures, removal of bird feeders during the hot season (they attract rodents, which are the fox’s main prey), verification that the garbage cans and compost bins are hermetically sealed at all times. A follow-up visit was scheduled six weeks after the intervention, confirming the absence of any new animal activity. Also consult our capture in a wooded residential area on the South Shore for comparable situations in Chambly. Our specialized pest prevention team can establish a customized plan for any property open to the public, including a seasonal inspection schedule.