Foxes

[ASmallBunchOfFlowers]

Despite all my fortifications along the fence, I am still plagued by foxes who dig up plants, cr@p all over the place and leave dead things (or the remains of dead things) on the lawn.

Can anyone suggest something which really works to deter them? Are the commercial deterrents worth the money and effort?

I heard on the radio that one should, ahem, get a gentleman to mark the garden as his territory. Do I need to ply DH with beer and then send him into the garden under cover of darkness?

[AnythingsBetterThanTheLastOne]

My DH did in fact try that after I had gone to bed one night. Though he didn't tell me until the next morning. As you suggest may be neccessary, he had been imbibing.

Didn't seem to have any effect. Is that good or bad news?

[ASmallBunchOfFlowers]

Oh, bad news probably. At least it would have been a cheap and quick fix.

All the other various gizmos seem quite pricey - which is why I'd like to know whether they actually work.

[fruitshootsandheaves]

I find these work well.

[ASmallBunchOfFlowers]

Thank you. Sadly, I don't have enough land for a kennel. Or a stable.

[HairyWoman]

This is probably not relevant Flowers but have you fertilised with blood and bonemeal or fishmeal?. I did and found holes all over the lawn the next day (Foxes can smell it even when you dig it in deep)

[Thistledew]

I had a problem a while ago with foxes digging in a specific place in my garden. I bought the hottest chilli powder I could find and sprinkled it liberally where they were digging. It seemed to work, although they do still come through the garden they don't dig so much anymore. Not sure that it would work as a general deterrent though.

[ASmallBunchOfFlowers]

HairyWoman - No, I gave up using those years ago because the squirrels used to dig up all my bulbs when I followed standard Gardeners World advice and put bonemeal under them!

Thistledew - I will try chilli powder. After all, it's cheap and nothing ventured, nothing gained!