Help with foxes

[2021hwg]

We are having real trouble with foxes on our garden, both front and back.
We have removed everything that could be attractive to them and tried sonic deterrents, but the problem continues

The big issue this this is really stressing my husband out, it's in his mind every morning, he hates it so much. If this continues to be a problem I know he will want to move. He can't relax in the garden at all.

Does anyone have any tips that's actually worked for them. We have put up sonic deterrents and motion sensor lights.

@LST

I have a dog and cats so cleaning up after the foxes doesn't bother me in the slightest. I feed them every night too. What do you mean by can't 'prove' your neighbour is feeding them? What would you do if you could?

I would ask them very nicely not too - and explain the mess

And if they didn't stop op? I won't stop feeding my foxes.

@LST

And if they didn't stop op? I won't stop feeding my foxes.

Then I would ask them to come clean the mess. I get you like foxes. Not everyone does. They really can a lot of damage. Another neighbour has had the beautiful flower beds destroyed several times

They're wild animals op. Deary me I wish I had your problems

@LST

They're wild animals op. Deary me I wish I had your problems

Won't rise to you. I don't want to harm them I just want them to stop destroying my garden. I was simply asking if anyone knew any good deterrents.

Don't need to rise to anything..Telling your neighbour to stop feeding them and if they continue to clean up your garden is not an option. I hope you realise that.

Cat proof your fencing. That is the only real option. And even then they may manage to get in and not get out again which will make the situation worse

It’s true OP says she doesn’t mean then any harm, even if she doesn’t want them there, which is a really good thing, many people would think differently unfortunately. Foxes can be quite a controversial matter for some.

All am
Asking is for advice on deterrents. There are loads of things available on line and I'm hoping people can tell me something that's worked for them. I want to be able to use my garden again.

I love foxes but I'd be the same, OP. Especially as I have kids. Squirt them with something, spray jayes fluid where they poo.

When I was living at home my stepdad went out banging a wooden spoon on a saucepan 😂 it worked!

If you want to deter foxes chilli flakes can work.

I read on another thread that male human urine works. Get all the males in the house to do the first pee of the day in a bottle and sprinkle on the offending area. Gross, but if it works, it could be worth it!

@tealappeal

I read on another thread that male human urine works. Get all the males in the house to do the first pee of the day in a bottle and sprinkle on the offending area. Gross, but if it works, it could be worth it!

Will absolutely try this. Hopefully not replacing one stench with another lol

@tealappeal

I read on another thread that male human urine works. Get all the males in the house to do the first pee of the day in a bottle and sprinkle on the offending area. Gross, but if it works, it could be worth it!

Just get them to do the wee outside, no need to bottle it!

We have real success with the electronic sonic deterrent. So much so that if it gets switched off by accident or something is blocking it's range we know the next morning. It was as expensive but definitely worth it.

Yes foxes are wild animals and I wouldn't want to harm them, but we don't live in the country - we live in London, and they are a pain, poo everywhere, making a racket, getting into bins, spreading food waste everywhere.

@Seeline

We have real success with the electronic sonic deterrent. So much so that if it gets switched off by accident or something is blocking it's range we know the next morning. It was as expensive but definitely worth it.

Yes foxes are wild animals and I wouldn't want to harm them, but we don't live in the country - we live in London, and they are a pain, poo everywhere, making a racket, getting into bins, spreading food waste everywhere.

Can I ask which ones you used

Get Jolyon Maugham on the case

www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk/shop/products/garden-care-and-maintenance/controlling-pests-and-problems/foxwatch-ultrasonic-fox-deterrent.html#. It's this one - not sure where we got it from though! It does have a limited range, but our garden isn't huge.

@Seeline

www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk/shop/products/garden-care-and-maintenance/controlling-pests-and-problems/foxwatch-ultrasonic-fox-deterrent.html#. It's this one - not sure where we got it from though! It does have a limited range, but our garden isn't huge.

Thank you

Apparently male urine works.
I put garlic and chilli around my garden, as their noses are sensitive.
I haven’t had fox poo in our garden in a while now. Could be unrelated 🤷🏼‍♀️

Foxes are a real pest. I hate them. We have tons and they are not scared of humans.

Things that helped (a bit)

Removing some large bushes and undergrowth they were sleeping in

A water sprayer that sprays when it defects movement. It's very hard and powerful (and breaks and needs replacing a lot)

We stopped growing fruit and tomatoes and stuff they were eating.

Shouting at them whenever we see them. They don't care much but it makes me feel better.

They still come back though. For some reason they poo less now. Either side of us have large dogs and that seems to work.

The water sprayer sounds interesting! Might catch my toddler out though

Citrus peel worked for us although did involve force feeding family with grapefruit, oranges etc for a couple of weeks.

We had a fox peeing on the front door - the stench was unbelievable. We tried the anti fox teabags - they didn't work and smelt almost as bad.

You will need to clean any fouled areas with jeyes fluid as it removes any lingering smell as they pee / crap where they peed and crapped before. Then citrus peel around the areas they crap in. Replace / refresh daily (warned you about force feeding family) . I continued for a couple of weeks and no problem since but I know foxes still around.

As other posters have said you should be hearing any screeching from foxes at this time of year - there's nothing you can do about that anyway. I think foxes don't crap / pee where they feed so your neighbours have got the right idea in feeding them. You could always try that !

Haha yes we forget to turn it off and frequently get drenched. It so forceful it often knocks itself over!

I just throw a bucket of soapy water over the moist poos. And poo bag the rest. To be honest the hedgehogs do more poo’s.

Your living in their environment not the other way round. Your much better to learn a little about them and learn to exist with them, it will consume you otherwise.
Foxes are truly fascinating creatures, they mate for life, they separate over autumn/winter and come back together (hence the calling). Get yourself and your kids down to your local wildlife centre.

But I’m sure my post isn’t helpful to you as it’s not a “solution”.

@Seeline

We have real success with the electronic sonic deterrent. So much so that if it gets switched off by accident or something is blocking it's range we know the next morning. It was as expensive but definitely worth it.

Yes foxes are wild animals and I wouldn't want to harm them, but we don't live in the country - we live in London, and they are a pain, poo everywhere, making a racket, getting into bins, spreading food waste everywhere.

Why would foxes only live in the country? They like a cheap easy free meal and us humans make it easy for them to co-exist with us.

I have a vague recollection of some research pointing to two different types of foxes now, urban and country with differing brains between the two.