If foxes are causing a nuisance in your garden, make sure you deal with the problem legally and humanely by checking out our best fox deterrent tips, how to get rid of urban or garden foxes, and what to do with foxes in your garden. You will also find information on natural solutions to foxes digging up gardens, as well as tips for using fox repellent. While foxes may not cause an imminent threat to you, dealing with foxes can be tricky, and it may be wise to work towards fox proofing your garden and educate yourself on how to rid foxes from your property.
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Why Get Rid of Foxes?
Foxes are solitary, nocturnal animals who stick to their own ‘patch’ – a territory they mark by fouling. Vixens can have one litter of cubs a year and will look for somewhere warm and safe to rear them for up to nine weeks after they’re born. Getting rid of foxes that invade your gardens and are causing issues is essential not only to the overall appearance and upkeep of your landscape but fox problems in gardens may lead to more advanced issues, such as dens under sheds and decks.
It’s important to note that foxes are not classed as pests or vermin, so local councils and many pest control companies do not deal with fox control. Foxes are protected from harm under wildlife protection regulations, and it is illegal to poison, maim, gas, drown, club, or snare them. Anyone who illegally harms a fox faces a £5,000 fine and a six-month prison sentence.
What do Garden Foxes Eat?
Foxes do not pose a threat to people, or cats, and dogs. High profile cases of fox attacks are extremely rare and have usually been later discredited. Foxes will, however, kill natural prey creatures such as birds and small mammals like rabbits, rodents, and guinea pigs if given a chance.
Keeping foxes away from pet rabbits will ensure their safety and well-being, and it is important to know the best practices for getting rid of foxes from your garden. Perhaps surprisingly, domestic cats spread more diseases than foxes do; however, foxes can suffer from mange and spread diseases like toxoplasmosis and Toxocara through their faeces.
At the very most, foxes usually cause a nuisance by fouling in gardens to mark their territory and digging dens under decking and sheds, as well as barking loudly, especially during mating season. Urban foxes are also often accused of causing a mess by rummaging around in bins and spreading rubbish. To avoid these types of issues, take a look at tips for how to deter foxes and options for fox repellant and how to stop a fox.
Foxes have copped a lot of bad press over recent years, but actually, many people love to see them in their gardens and have no problems living alongside them. However, if foxes are digging up your carefully manicured lawn or have taken up residence under your decking, you might want to know how to get rid of foxes in your garden. Here are some of the best fox deterrent ideas:
Best Fox Deterrent Ideas
Clear rubbish– leaving rubbish (particularly of the food variety) lying around will encourage foxes to frequent your property. Keep your front and back garden tidy, and make sure bins are securely fastened. Don’t leave pet food or water out overnight as a source of nourishment for foxes.
Secure pet enclosures– if you have outdoor pets such as chickens, rabbits, or guinea pigs, it’s your responsibility to ensure they’re well protected. Remember, a fox can’t tell the difference between a pet and prey, so make sure you install a fox-proof enclosure with wire mesh, a solid floor, and a secure lock.
Fox repellant sprays– since foxes mark their territory by scenting and fouling, you can use non-toxic fox repellent sprays to deter foxes by marking your garden as territory already taken. A range of fox repellent brands is available, such as ‘Scoot’ and ‘Get out of my garden’, both of which are recommended by The Fox Project.
Water deterrents– devices like the Scarecrow work using sensors; when a fox gets within range, water is sprayed from the device, startling and scaring away the fox. If strategically placed at the edges of gardens or by fox holes, these can effectively stop foxes from coming back to your garden.
Sonic fox deterrent– these electronic control devices are quite controversial. Many manufacturers claim that they deter animals by emitting a high-pitched noise audible to animals but not humans. In theory, this acts as an irritant that drives animals away; in practice, no scientific studies have found this an effective method of animal control.
Fox-proofing– there are various ways you can stop foxes from entering your garden completely or make your property an unappealing place for them
to hang out. This includes fox-proof fencing and ‘prickle strips’ (spiky strips). You should also ensure that old fox holes are blocked and that animals can’t get under sheds or decking to build dens.
Natural fox repellant – If you wonder how to get rid of foxes in the garden using natural methods, you have several options. Foxes hate several ingredients that make wonderful deterrents, such as hot chilli peppers, garlic, and capsaicin. Trying boiling the chilli pepper and garlic in 2 quarts of water, then mixing in a blender. Spray the mixture anywhere throughout your garden, yard, underneath your deck, or anywhere else you want to deter the foxes. This natural repellent is highly effective and a great way to get rid of foxes in the garden without causing any harm.
It would help if you were extremely careful when blocking any dens or fox holes – make sure you don’t trap any live foxes or cubs in the den to starve to death. The best way to avoid this is to seek help from a fox control specialist; however, you can loosely pack entrances with material sprayed with a fox deterrent. At first, foxes may remove this and carry on using the hole. Reapply the rags every day, though, and eventually, this will drive them away. One way doors that let foxes out, but not in again, are also an option, but make sure to use with extreme care (or consult a professional) so that you don’t trap defenceless cubs.
Fox Pest Control
As previously stated, it’s illegal to kill foxes and, in most cases, trap them. Even if you were to remove a fox from your property, another one would move into the newly vacated territory, which doesn’t solve the problem. However, some professional pest or fox control companies will be able to help you put in place fox deterrent plans and fox-proof your garden to solve your problem humanely.
Fox Control Prices
Fox control prices will vary depending on whether you hire professional or fit deterrents yourself; here are some example costs:
| Fox Control Service | Residential |
|---|---|
| Inspections | from £100 |
| Repeat visit | from £70 |
| 100g of Scoot fox deterrent spray | from £10 |
| 5lt water sprayer and 100g Scoot | from £35 |
| Supply and fit ‘scarecrow.’ | from £150 |
| Supply and fit ‘one-way door.’ | from £140 |
| Dig out ‘earth.’ | from £150 |
| supply and installation of fox-proof decking | from £150 |
| supply and installation of fox-proof decking | from £50 m2 |
| Supply and fit ‘Prickle Strip’ per metre | from £10 |
References
How to deter urban foxes from your garden – https://local.which.co.uk/advice/deter-prevent-get-rid-urban-foxes-garden
What to do about foxes in the garden – http://www.wildlifegardener.co.uk/foxesinthegarden.html
Keep unwanted foxes out of the garden – https://www.mymailgarden.co.uk/advice-tips/wildlife/keeping-unwanted-foxes-out-of-your-garden.
Foxes – http://www.bbcwildlife.org.uk/node/3031
Outfoxed: Sonic waves, water pistols, lion poo – can anything stop an urban fox hounding your pet dog? – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1388959/Outfoxed-Sonic-waves-water-pistols-lion-poo–stop-urban-fox-hounding-pet-dog.html#ixzz4InsAwwGx