Foxes are a fascinating and enchanting species, and watching them engage in their daily routines can bring joy to many. Yet, if these wild animals choose your garden as their playground, their presence might lead to complications.
Young foxes tend to dig in soft soil, particularly in borders, while adult foxes may leave excrement in the middle of your lawn to mark their territory. If your garden is experiencing a considerable amount of excrement, it could be an indication of territorial disputes between foxes, resulting in multiple animals leaving faeces on your lawn.
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s time to deter foxes from your garden. With a bit of effort and the right techniques, it is possible to encourage foxes and their cubs to seek out a more suitable habitat.
In this post, we’re going to highlight 5 techniques to safely and humanely discourage foxes from settling in your garden. Let’s get started!
1. Use repellents and smells to deter foxes
To deter foxes in a safe manner, you can use simple repellents that they dislike due to their strong sense of smell. Natural repellents like chilli peppers and garlic can be effective options. You can simply boil these ingredients in water and spray the resulting liquid around your garden.
However, if foxes have already marked your garden as their territory, it may take some time and persistence to get them to move on. Be careful to follow the instructions when using animal repellents, and consider the potential impact on other wildlife.
Here are some scents that foxes are known to dislike:
- Chili peppers
- Garlic
- Peppermint
- Citronella
- Eucalyptus
2. Don’t store food in your garden
If wild animals can easily find food in your garden, it would become difficult for you to keep foxes away. So, the next thing you can do is remove all potential sources of food. Foxes are known to eat a wide variety of foods, from bird food and fruits to livestock like chickens and rabbits.
Make sure that any bird feeders are out of reach and clear up any spilt food. Protect your livestock by ensuring that chicken coops and rabbit hutches are secure and inaccessible to foxes. Also, keep your bin tidy and securely fastened to avoid becoming a food source.
If you have fruit trees or other fruit and vegetable plants in your garden, be sure to pick up any fallen fruit and protect the plants from foxes to deter them from visiting your garden.
Related: How To Keep Cats Out Of Your Garden: 6 Amazing Tips
3. Keep your garden in great condition
Do you have a well-maintained and clean garden? Households who don’t pay due attention to garden maintenance often face such issues. It’s important for you to keep your garden tidy and well-maintained. Foxes tend to avoid areas that are open and easily visible, so keep the grass trimmed and remove any overgrown vegetation.
This will remove any potential hiding places and make your garden less appealing to foxes and other animals. However, consider leaving some areas of your garden wild and allowing wildflowers to grow to support pollinators while still keeping areas close to your home and living areas neat and tidy.
All you need to do is remove any potential sources of shelter for foxes. This means closing off any gaps under sheds or decking and removing any piles of garden waste or compost that could be used as a den. Consult one of the professional landscaping service providers in London to find out how their services can help you build a stunning garden.
4. Use motion sensors and sprinklers
If the above-mentioned techniques aren’t working for you, consider installing motion-activated lighting or a high-frequency noise machine to deter foxes from entering your garden. Motion sensors and sprinklers are effective tools to keep unwanted wildlife away from your garden.
As we know, foxes get scared easily and a sudden light or burst of water can make them run away. Motion sensors or sprinklers can create a sudden and unexpected stimulus that will make foxes feel uneasy and less likely to settle in your garden. However, be aware that foxes may get used to this method. So, it’s advisable to try a variety of tactics to keep them away.
While you can use these innovative techniques to deter foxes, be sure to consider their impact on other wildlife. High-pitched ultrasonic fox deterrents can also be heard by other animals and may cause distress. Therefore, use these devices with caution and always consider the welfare of other wildlife in the area.
5. Build a solid fence
Installing a solid fence around your property can make it more difficult for foxes to gain access. However, since foxes are known to climb fences with ease, additional reinforcements may be necessary. For example, you can use anti-fox spikes, wall rollers, and fences that are bent away from your garden.
These modifications can act as effective fox deterrents by making it difficult for the foxes to get in. Remember, foxes are adept diggers and can easily burrow their way under a fence, so adding a one to two feet deep concrete barrier can be an effective way to keep them out. Reach out to reputable fencing services in London to learn more about your options.
What attracts foxes to your garden
Foxes like gardens for a number of reasons, primarily for food and shelter. They are opportunistic predators and scavengers, so any garden with available food sources will be particularly appealing to them. Let’s take a look at five factors that can attract foxes to your garden:
- Accessible bins, compost piles or open garbage bags can provide an easy and abundant source of food.
- Bird feeders that are accessible and spill seed onto the ground.
- Fruit trees, vegetable gardens or ponds provide easy access to food or water.
- Overgrown, cluttered areas of the garden or under sheds can provide shelter and hiding spots for foxes.
- Livestock such as chickens or rabbits can be easy prey for foxes.
Why should you get rid of the foxes (what harm can they do)
Foxes are fascinating animals to observe. Aren’t they? Nevertheless, they can cause a significant amount of damage to your garden. As we mentioned earlier, foxes are known to dig holes, chew through garden furniture, damage plants, and even kill small pets.
They can also carry diseases that can be harmful to humans and pets, such as mange and rabies. Therefore, it is important to deter or remove foxes from your garden to prevent damage and minimize the risk of disease transmission.
Final thoughts
Foxes can be both a nuisance and a delight to have in your garden. While some people may wish to see wildlife around their gardens, it’s important to also take precautions to deter them from causing damage or becoming a health risk. We hope these tips will help you keep foxes out of your garden.