Urban fox trouble - digging holes

[PurpleParakeet]

This spring I noticed a lot of digging going on in the garden. Wildlife camera confirms it is foxes.

I've filled the holes in, covered them with mesh etc but if I stop them digging in one place they just start somewhere else. There are currently three huge tunnelling holes, each at least 3ft deep. The 'lawn' is a mess.

Any ideas?

Apparently you can buy sprays of smells they don’t like. Asking a bloke to wee in the garden might also put them off. Again it is a scent marking thing.

also, buy a bulk bag of cayenne pepper or similar chilli pepper powder and sprinkle it where they dig. The ‘hot’ taste will get stuck to their paws which they don’t like. It only lasts until the rain, but a short intense spell might persuade them to move elsewhere.

We use the electric sonic deterrents. Didn't have a problem with digging but they were pooing all over the garden. The deterrents really seem to keep them out of the garden.

I've had a litter of foxes in my garden. Although annoying the good news is that it doesn't last long, they eventually disperse. They would poop on my doorstep though, not nice at all! After a couple of months they moved on.

OK - I'm trying the scaring device. Will report back.

I filled the holes, covered the area with extra hot chilli powder, set the scarer up, checked it was working...

This morning the garden is carnage. Holes redug.

Would a security sensor light work. If the garden lights come on when they enter the garden they might not dig it may just deter them.

The scarer has flashing lights...

I moved the scarer closer to the excavation site, and this morning a vast new hole has appreared in another corner of the garden - an area I had replanted this summer and protected with ugly wire netting. They've broken in and dug up my new plants.

So demoralised.

Can you identify where they’re coming in from and try to block that? Difficult though if you’re surrounded by hedges etc and no fences like I am.

What sort of scarer have you got?

Is it one of the ones that emits a high frequency sound - We've always found they work brilliantly.

FOXWatch Fox Repeller - Green Gardener https://share.google/G4RbICUJNO3AYgrpM

You need a terrier.

Foxes are surpringly agile they can shimmy right over your average 6ft fence. It’s B like trying to keep cats out.

i have had this. They don’t like strong smells. Despite the obvious Dracula connection, I bought garlic bulbs and squashed the cloves and put them on the ground and in the holes they’d dug, which I then filled in. Don’t stint - be lavish. I also bought packets of chilli powder and scattered that around copiously.

I didn’t realise this. I have a fox but am surrounded by hedgerow and was wishing I had walls and fences when it’s poo us at its worst. Shall try some of the suggestions on here!

We have a big fox problem where we live - cameras have caught several just chilling in our garden overnight on several occasions. Also holes dug, and poo everywhere.

Sensor lights and the sound emitting devices have made no difference. Have also bought various sprays and again, no difference. Following this thread with interest!

The foxes have made a huge trench in our frount garden. I have loads of spices and have just sprinked loads of turmeric outside. Following with interest.

We have the same issue! We live adjacent to a nature reserve, so the foxes come into the residential area from there. Unfortunately, we have a neighbour who feeds one particular fox, and others do within the vicinity too. It's not digging up their front lawn though, it's digging up ours!! We've reseeded, covered with mesh, and it tries to dig underneath the mesh or in other parts of the lawn. We've tried garlic, husband's urine (yes, really!) and now onto a special spray. So far nothing has worked. We can't contain the front garden, because there's a covenant against all the properties in the area, from doing so! I can confirm foxes can jump/climb gates, walls and 6ft fences! If anyone has any other ideas, do share! We have a cat, so not sure the devices are something we can use. No, it's not our cat digging up the lawn either!!

Lots of my neighbours have astroturfed or paved their gardens so I think my foxes are desperate for somewhere to make a den. The population exploded during the pandemic when people were feeding them, and they have nowhere to go. I regularly see them in the neighbourhood. I have one that comes into the house if it can... its a complete pain.

They got there first. You've moved onto their territory. They probably wish you'd go away, hence the holes and poo.

@Dillydollydingdong I've lived here for years and years. Never used to see foxes. I definately haven't moved into their space.

Anyway I came here to say, no apparent damage this morning. Yesterday I filled all the holes, covered them with mesh, laid bricks on top, and sprinkled with chilli powder. Put the scarer right next to the most vulnerable bit.

I don't imagine that will put them off for long.

I have some repellent spray on order...

Still holding. The fox was in the garden yesterday morning, but apparently passing through.

Spray has arrived but I need a spraying bottle and I can't find it.