Most active after nightfall, foxes are omnivores that commonly eat rodents, rabbits, birds, eggs, and vegetation. Their feeding habits have often garnered them the ire of farmers fearful for the safety of domestic fowl, although their frequent consumption of pests is generally considered a habit that is beneficial to humans. Foxes are, however, known vectors of rabies and populations have been periodically decimated in attempts to stem outbreaks of the viral disease. Yet, populations appear to recover quickly, as foxes have few natural enemies, other than man.