- Foxes are probably the last animals we expected to destroy people’s cars.
There’s something weird going on with the wildlife on the British Isles. Remember how their squirrels are destroying both local homes and trees?
Well, now their foxes are eating their cars. No, we’re not kidding.
Foxes in southern England have apparently developed a taste for automobiles. Instead of wanting to drive them, though, they’re devouring vital components.
Specifically, the reynards and vixens are chowing down on all-important cabling on the vehicles’ undercarriage. They seem to have a particular fondness for brake lines, but any other kinds of wires make for yummy snacks as well.
The damage hasn’t just cost U.K. drivers thousands in repair bills. The foxes have also caused dangerous accidents when people have taken to the roads without realizing their brakes no longer work.
To deter the ravenous beasts, motorists have tried all manners of techniques, some conventional and others outlandish. Yet, the most effective way to keep the foxes away they’ve discovered is wrapping their cars in chicken wire.
Yummy Yummy Cables
The foxes-eating-cars epidemic seems to be mostly centered around southern England, particularly southern London suburbs. Also, it’s not exactly a brand-new phenomenon.
Already in 2009, police in the southern county of Kent warned drivers to check their cars’ wires and test their brakes before driving. The warning came in the aftermath of multiple crashes caused by chewed-through brake lines.
Indeed, for some reason, the foxes seem to find brake lines particularly attractive. Perhaps they’re just easier to get to, but many drivers have noticed their ABS cables have been gnawed through.
They’re not particularly picky, though, and will go for any cables they can reach. According to motorist reports, the foxes have also destroyed cables connected to tire pressure monitoring systems and other sensors, in addition to electricity wires.
Expensive and Dangerous
With their cars’ cables broken, drivers have had to get their vehicles fixed. That has resulted in occasionally sky-high bills.
Dr. Dieter Riddall from Sidcup in Southeast London told The U.S. Sun that he’s had to get his Porsche’s brake lines fixed twice. In total, he’s paid more than $2,800 for the repairs.
“The first time I think they had a party under there. They took out the ABS cable,” he explained.
Alex Pascal, meanwhile, has spent nearly $1,500 to get his Hyundai Tucson repaired on three separate occasions. Many other drivers also tell of repair bills ranging from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
The damage has also resulted in accidents. Fortunately, we didn’t find any casualties linked to the foxes, but faulty brakes and cables connected to the animals have been behind crashes and stranded vehicles.
Nothing Works
Incensed by the marauding beasts, motorists have resorted to many different tricks and traps to keep the foxes away. Sadly, none of them seem to work pretty well.
They’ve applied various pest sprays to the cars, but foxes don’t appear to find them particularly repellent. Ultrasonic alarms and brightly flashing animal deterrents have worked for a while, but the foxes quickly realize that the irritating devices can’t actually hurt them.
Drivers have also tried coating their cars’ cables in various foul-tasting substances, from engine grease to hot sauce. Again, no dice — the foxes only like the added flavor.
With few options left, people have resorted to wrapping good old chicken wire around their cars. If it keeps a fox out of the chicken coop, it should keep it away from a car, too.
It’s a hassle to constantly have to take the wire off and put it back on, not to mention the potential scrapes and scratches on the paint. But suppose it’s better than having to get your brake lines repaired — again.
You Did This to Yourselves
But why are the foxes so adamant about biting car cables? Nobody can say for sure, but it’s most likely a sum of multiple causes.
First of all, the insulation materials on car cables in the U.K. were changed from petroleum-based materials to soy-derived substances some 15 years ago. Rodents, from rats to squirrels, have been attracted to the vegetable-based coatings and it could be that foxes find them yummy as well.
Another reason probably lies in England’s disappearing woodlands. With fewer wild places left, the foxes are increasingly driven towards cities to find food.
And then there’s the issue of people feeding them.
“Daft people have been feeding foxes and treating them as pets, reducing the fear threshold,” ranted animal psychologist Dr. Roger Mugford.
“They normally steer clear of humans and anything’s been touched by humans but if they are getting food given to them, that’s undermined.”
If some drivers have been feeding foxes, they’ve brought this problem on themselves. Unfortunately, those same foxes will then proceed to haunt the entire neighborhood.