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.

Aren't you supposed to wee everywhere? Ideally multiple people's urine. Get DH and some friends a few beers and let them go wild.

I love my Fox. He’s called Oliver Tippy Tail and his vixen is Betty Black Tips. He’s very quiet and respectful. He can’t get in the bins here, and waits for what I put out at 11pm every night. He was a bit noisy over mating season and a couple of territorial fights and I know I’m odd but I just love it all. There’s a cat from next door that happily co-exists with the foxes, they wouldn’t harm him and he obviously knows that because they shared the same water bowl and the Fox has never chased him off his patch. I haven’t noticed any poo ever but if clear it up if I did because it’s a shared communal flat patch of grass. PP is absolutely right about us being in their environment and not the other way round. Same for all wild animals in suburban areas.

If you do move you are likely to move into other fixes territory.
Sounds as though your garden has become a hang out for them and territory marking place. For some reason.
Agree that trying to fox proof fences is your most obvious route.
The Fox Project (hope it is still going - I used them for help for some foxes who had very bad mange) many years ago.
Alternatively (or at same time) is there any way to help your dh who sounds as though he has unusual anxiety about this. Totally get the smell can be strong but his response seems strong too.
Good luck op.

@HeronLanyon very much still going! I used them for the same thing

smidge excellent. ‘My’ foxes back then were so helped by ‘advice’ I got.

@HeronLanyon

If you do move you are likely to move into other fixes territory. Sounds as though your garden has become a hang out for them and territory marking place. For some reason. Agree that trying to fox proof fences is your most obvious route. The Fox Project (hope it is still going - I used them for help for some foxes who had very bad mange) many years ago. Alternatively (or at same time) is there any way to help your dh who sounds as though he has unusual anxiety about this. Totally get the smell can be strong but his response seems strong too. Good luck op.

Part of the problem is that he had a very very strong sense of smell, so these things bother him more than others.

Also we want our kids to enjoy the garden but we really have to check and clean every morning before they use it

‘My’ vixen comes to the back door for her food. She brought her Cubs this morning after weeks of hiding them behind a bush while she went back and forth with titbits. I took it as a compliment! We very seldom have poo and I don’t notice any smell. Maybe that’s a Covid silver lining ?

@Mumsnut

‘My’ vixen comes to the back door for her food. She brought her Cubs this morning after weeks of hiding them behind a bush while she went back and forth with titbits. I took it as a compliment! We very seldom have poo and I don’t notice any smell. Maybe that’s a Covid silver lining ?

Oh that’s lovely. She obviously trusts you to “introduce” you.

Zoo poo. Put it on the flower beds.

@thinkfast

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.

You hate them just for existing?

DH used to have his first pee of the day round the stock fence surrounding our chickens. We did see a fox sniff the ground, turn and run away.

The garden didn't smell of urine. It may be worth trying!

Well my husband has "sprinkled his urine" in several places in the garden. There does seem to be some improvement.

Fingers crossed