I used to go on anti fox hunting demos…

[Justjoinedforthis]

..now I’m actually considering staging a fox hunt in my back garden. I am finding myself so depressed by the daily food waste and fox shit strewn across my garden, as well as them digging in all my pots seemingly just for fun? Does anyone know of any fox repellants that actually work, or do I just need to accept its part of city life and make it part of my routine?
Having another animal issue with mice: they seem to be hip to the traps and poison we leave out, and they keep getting into cupboards and nibbling crackers etc that are for the kids packed lunches, I really can’t afford to keep chucking stuff. Have ordered some food storage containers, but I just want to fuckers to sod off! Do I need to go nuclear and get the sticky traps? I know they are awful and so inhumane, but I keep finding mouse poos in areas the kids play and I just want to destroy them. Any ideas much appreciated for my animal woes.

For the foxes, I did hear on the radio they don't like the smell of mens wee, so you could get your DP /a male relative or friend to piss round the garden to see if they'll leave it alone.

The best fix repellent we have found is adult male human urine applied liberally around the garden. The volunteer needs to be a meat eater as it’s basically telling the fox that this is a large carnivores territory and they steer clear.

DH refuses to wee in the garden to uses a bottle for discreet application after dark. It does need done quite frequently and after rain to be effective.

Ok this is maybe going to sound a bit crazy but maybe sit on your step and quietly talk to the fox as it's in the road. Tell it you are sorry about the baby but it wasn't you and that you buried it. Maybe the fox will emotionally pick up on your communication and get some kind of closure?

When one of my rabbits died I put it in a shoe box with lid off and left it in the room with his brother (from same litter) overnight. Brother sat near sniffing occasionally and eventually in the morning turned his back and didn't go near him again, I knew then that he knew he had gone and I buried him.

I'm inclined to go with that sort of theory too. It was a baby and it died. I'm very interested in old customs of dealing with animals. Maybe the sibling didn't save the little one that died and is blaming him or herself. I believe that they can communicate with us. While the sibling is crying, can you give him/her some food? Tell them that you understand?

They're very clever animals. I'm sure that they will understand you. I know that it sounds insane. Tell the sibling that it's ok and that he/she is free to come to remember his sibling whenever they want. If they realise that you didn't do it, maybe they'll understand. I now sound batshit! Lol

If they know that you're a friend and that you didn't kill the baby fox, they might get peace? Tell them that it wasn't their fault.

I'm aware that I sound like a lunatic.

Dogs and horses understand us. Cats do too but they prefer to play ignorant. Foxes are deemed to be even more intelligent. I think that the little fox will understand if you show kindness and tell him/her that understand?

I genuinely think the older fox thinks the baby fox is in our house though, and is calling for it.

Prob tmi, but it would have been able to smell where the remains were on the road, and could prob smell the ikea bag in the bin and the shovel my husband used to pick it up. (I think he left the shovel down the side of the house whilst he went to leave the body in the woods.) We were walking past where he left the body the other day and looked to see if there was a skull or anything like that left, but we couldn’t find anything. (I’m sure a year old skull wouldn’t smell of the original fox at this stage anyway, but we are getting a bit desperate.)

Obviously it is annoying, but I also want to fix the situation because I’m worried someone else on the road with shoot it with a BB gun; neighbours are very pissed off with the noise too. I also worry it will get run over sitting in the middle of the road like it does.

He's a sad little fox. Bless him.

This is sort of outing, but when camping, foxes would bite my then partner's feet. They never ever bit me. That ex partner used to beat the living daylights out of me. I think they sense things.

A fox doesn't sit anywhere really. It slinks under cover to scavenge. That he/she is sitting on the spot where the baby died is remarkable! Is there a fox charity in the UK?

I'm not terribly fond of foxes to be honest. I know they're clever but you can't trust them. Your fox seems to be grieving.

streamable.com/aqx943
Here’s a video! Sorry, was going through the Ring doorbell footage to find the best example. This is what he does when he sits on the road.
Will try to find a good one of him being on the drive and in the garden too. There’s a funny one of me shouting “why are you staring at the house; go away!” as well, haha.

He the little figure in the road in front of the van, you might have to full screen to see him.
I didn’t want to see the dead baby fox (it was bad apparently, my husband was a bit teary), but he says that’s exactly where it was.

Borrow a dog for the fox

utterly pointless <glares at spaniel>

I've not had a mouse problem since getting cats though and it's been over 10 years since the infestation that lead to me getting them.

A fox doesn't sit anywhere really

the ones in my garden definitely do. The screaming ones out the front prefer to move up and down whilst doing it to share the love. Bastards.

Op I live in a big old house that had two mice infestations in the past. I totally sympathise with the frustration and disgust!

I second getting a professional in for the mice but find someone through a recommendation as many anti vermin companies just come and lay out traps and leave, for a large fee, but without much knowledge or understanding of their prey. A good practitioner will talk to you, identify the issue, find the main routes for mice, block up pipes with wire wool, give you lots of advice and THEN lay traps and will do the same two or three times until the problem is resolved. Depending on the size of your house, they should be with you for at least an hour or more.

Some of the advice they offer is things like not leaving out any food AND water (especially in hot weather like this). You have to be really thorough about this. If no food is available or water (including tiny amounts like droplets on the sink which you must wipe up) then they will not return. So clean out your cupboards, put all food in plastic containers, wipe everything over with Dettol, remove any standing water in sink, plant pots, droplets on sink or around plug holes and fix any leaky pipes or dripping taps. Do not leave out any crumbs or grains of sugar or pet food. Do not let your dc leave out snacks or biscuits. Be rigorous about it. Block up any holes to the outside with wire wool. Clear areas such as utility rooms or sheds that are full of clutter. And I promise you, with the help of poison brought by a professional, the mice will go permanently.

And yes, apologies to those who think of foxes as cuddly pets, and who leave out food for them (madness!) to me they are a huge nuisance and sometimes, a health hazard that needs controlling.

A cat. Especially a cat that was rescued as a stray - they are brilliant mousers from having had to fend for themselves.

My parents' mouse problem is rapidly diminishing since they got such a cat two months ago!

Have you talked to next door (if you are attached)? Unless they are taking it seriously too there's little point in you killing the mice, while they are breeding next door (ime).

Oh my God. Bless him! That's not hunting or scavenging. That's crying, He's a sad little fox! Oh bless. I want to take him in and give him a cuddle. Bless him. God that's breaking my heart.

I don't think of foxes as cuddly. They're extremely intelligent though. They bit through my exes boots 😎
I love the foxes as they're so bold and brazen. But that little fox is sad!

This is a super sad story. Have you asked a wildlife charity for advice?

I'm pretty sure that you're thinking of sending him the way of his sibling though lol

@whoknow it is very sad, but it is also relentless and noisy. I wish I could talk fox!
Instead I give out to him through the Ring doorbell: streamable.com/2v12lz

tbh, maybe he likes the attention too. I’ve told my husband to stop chasing him away; he comes back about 30 seconds later. Maybe he thinks it’s a game?

That’s a good idea. Last year it was like “fair enough”, but the fact he’s come back a year later, still doing the same thing. Maybe a fox expert could give some tips.
Honestly, it is v annoying, but he’s going to get knocked down too if he’s not careful.

I love this fox. He's in pain though. Emotional pain.
I've a friend who is a vet nurse. I'll ask her.

I used to go insane with barking dogs so I can understand the frustration.

They really do not sit in the open ordinarily. I've watched them. They slink. They scavenge and run off at the slightest sound normally. When I couldn't sleep I would sit and smoke on my balcony and it was just me and them really. They're like the CIA of animals lol. That poor fox is putting himself in danger. He/she wouldn't that normally.