One of the most common points of conflict arises from the fox’s opportunistic scavenging habits, directly linked to human waste management failings. Securely fastened waste bins are the single most significant factor in reducing fox nuisance, yet the sight of ripped-open rubbish bags is a familiar one in many neighbourhoods. Foxes are less interested in the bins themselves than in the food scraps they contain. Their incredible sense of smell allows them to locate and exploit weak points in household waste disposal, scattering litter across streets and gardens. This behaviour, though natural for a scavenger, is the primary source of frustration for residents, overshadowing the fox's natural diet of insects, earthworms, small rodents, and fallen fruit.
