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Original poster

Should I keep the foxes?

60 replies

Howandwhy · 23/09/2023 23:11

Two foxes visit my garden every day and night and have been coming daily since they were cubs. They ruin my kids garden toys and bite my pumpkins. I know the entry point is under the fence (although I've seen one jump over the fence), so I had planned to block it and add to the height of the fence as well as making it fox proof. A friend advised me that if I get rid of the foxes there will be nothing to keep rats and mice at bay. There was a rat infestation in the garden around 10 years ago but I haven't seen any sign of them since then. Do you think the foxes are keeping the rats/mice away? I'd rather put up with the foxes if that's the case! Thanks for your advice/experience in advance!

OP posts:
NinNinJin · 23/09/2023 23:39

Keep the foxes!
"Foxes kill vast numbers of rats, in addition to keeping mice, slugs, beetles, and grubs at bay. They also serve as nature's bin-men, removing dead animals from country lanes and forest clearings."

Original poster
Howandwhy · 23/09/2023 23:42

Thanks! Any advice on how ro keep them off the trampoline? Its zipped up but they still sit round the perimeter and eat my veg!

OP posts:
INeedAnotherName · 23/09/2023 23:48

I regularly see tails hanging out of our foxes mouths, all the neighbours put out bird feeders which encourages a certain visitor. They are very playful, like puppies, so put the kids toys and footwear away every night.

Never block off the bottom of fences or gates. Hedgehogs are rapidly becoming an endangered species and they need access to gardens (and hopefully some water as they need a lot every night).

bluebeardswife7 · 23/09/2023 23:54

I would give my back teeth for foxes. Unfortunately, my evil cats scare the bejesus out of everything including huge dogs and me.

bluesatin · 23/09/2023 23:55

I think they are a mixed blessing. For instance I recently chatted to a lady from Horsham who told me about this... https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/foxes-chewing-through-car-brake-cables-in-new-spate-of-attacks-in-horsham-3930547

fiddlesticksandotherwords · 23/09/2023 23:57

Why do you think you would have a rat problem if the foxes are kept out?

Original poster
Howandwhy · 24/09/2023 23:04

fiddlesticksandotherwords · 23/09/2023 23:57

Why do you think you would have a rat problem if the foxes are kept out?

That's what I've been advised. Do you disagree with this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Howandwhy · 24/09/2023 23:05

bluebeardswife7 · 23/09/2023 23:54

I would give my back teeth for foxes. Unfortunately, my evil cats scare the bejesus out of everything including huge dogs and me.

Why do you want foxes?

OP posts:
Original poster
Howandwhy · 24/09/2023 23:06

INeedAnotherName · 23/09/2023 23:48

I regularly see tails hanging out of our foxes mouths, all the neighbours put out bird feeders which encourages a certain visitor. They are very playful, like puppies, so put the kids toys and footwear away every night.

Never block off the bottom of fences or gates. Hedgehogs are rapidly becoming an endangered species and they need access to gardens (and hopefully some water as they need a lot every night).

Thanks. I was thinking about re filling my small pond but that attracts rats too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Howandwhy · 24/09/2023 23:08

bluesatin · 23/09/2023 23:55

I think they are a mixed blessing. For instance I recently chatted to a lady from Horsham who told me about this... https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/foxes-chewing-through-car-brake-cables-in-new-spate-of-attacks-in-horsham-3930547

😮

OP posts:
StarDolphins · 24/09/2023 23:14

The pest controller that came to get rid of the rat infestation in my garden/house:estate told me if there were foxes around it would be rat free!

Took ages to get rid of them & they were in the loft too.

Rats are way more dangerous than foxes. I wouldn’t block your garden off, hedgehogs are nearly extinct @ get rid of all the slugs!

PrinnyPree · 25/09/2023 07:44

Oh my God give me naughty foxes over a rat infestation any day of the week.

I hate spiders and am arachnophobic but appreciate that they kill flies and all the "dirty" insects.

As humans we just have to appreciate that if we don't want to live in chemical laced concrete boxes and instead have lovely natural gardens we do have to coexist somewhat with nature.

GenXTeaDrinker · 25/09/2023 07:50

I think you need to give in and remove things from your garden that the foxes can damage. Or put things out there knowing that they’ll have a short shelf life.

You could put a camera out there and get to know the foxes as characters. Naughty foxes are as fun as naughty cats.

Woman2023 · 25/09/2023 07:56

I used to love seeing foxes in my old house. They are fabulous animals. We should cherish all wildlife.

Cobwobs · 25/09/2023 08:02

I'd be absolutely over the moon to have foxes visiting my garden!

TerfTalking · 25/09/2023 08:10

I love watching my wildlife camera in a morning to see what the foxes are up to. Early summer we have cubs each year too that nip and play fight each other whilst mum does the hunting.

SoLongAndThanksForAllTheVaricoseVeins · 25/09/2023 08:15

You would need planning permission for a fence high enough to keep out foxes - they can easily climb over a 2m fence, I’ve seen it very often!

Our foxes raised a litter of seven cubs under our shed, and it was a joy to have them here. We had to fill in the den once they’d all left because the shed was falling in to it, but that was fine as they didn’t need it any more. They visit a lot even now, we have no rodents despite everyone feeding the birds, and are thrilling to have around. Just take in the children’s toys and net your pumpkins.

KeepTheTempo · 25/09/2023 08:17

In our row of terraces we have foxes, which poo over everything, AND rats. I don't believe they have any interest in chasing rodents when there are so many people feeding them and leaving out unsecured rubbish bins.

lovemycbf · 25/09/2023 08:19

We had a rat problem a few years ago which the local foxes have to get rid of them
I'd take foxes over rats anytime

Spookymormonhelldream · 25/09/2023 08:23

I'm with @KeepTheTempo here. The foxes around here (SW London) gorge themselves on the food waste bins, bird feeders, and the bins round the back of the takeaways, not to mention all the food just randomly dropped by drunk eejits. They have no incentive to chase rats!!
Then they just shit everywhere.
My fox problem disappeared when I got DDog. And it was a horrible problem. Appreciate that rats are worse but I am not sure it's a case of either/or.

SoLongAndThanksForAllTheVaricoseVeins · 25/09/2023 08:26

Spookymormonhelldream · 25/09/2023 08:23

I'm with @KeepTheTempo here. The foxes around here (SW London) gorge themselves on the food waste bins, bird feeders, and the bins round the back of the takeaways, not to mention all the food just randomly dropped by drunk eejits. They have no incentive to chase rats!!
Then they just shit everywhere.
My fox problem disappeared when I got DDog. And it was a horrible problem. Appreciate that rats are worse but I am not sure it's a case of either/or.

I think that attitudes might be split along an urban/rural axis here, with foxes being more of a nuisance in urban settings, and just part of life in the country. So your solution might to an extent be dependent on your setting, OP.

VikingLady · 25/09/2023 08:33

Rats are one of the main causes of house fires, according to the fire brigade when a neighbour's house burnt down recently. They strip wiring and cause shorts. Plus they carry communicable diseases and they eat your Christmas chocolates and piss in your cereal boxes (bad experiences here). Rats can get into your house really easily.

They also nibble your veg, so not much better than the foxes for outside either.

PTSDBarbiegirl · 25/09/2023 08:38

Get a cat. The foxes should keep their distance a little from the cats territory of the garden but still do their jobs.

PenhillDarkMonarch · 25/09/2023 08:42

Yep, keep the foxes.

Make up some potrtable some chicken wire cages to put over/round your pumpkins to keep them safe. Or buy them if you're feeling flush...

https://www.crocus.co.uk/product/_/rabbit-proof-cloche/classid.2000018403/sku.PR30006270/?gclid=CjwKCAjw38SoBhB6EiwA8EQVLvXBvuME1_c7VGEpqIassL1VS3nxRyOFRmEP7yJV_FNhcwIZ-VtYhBoCmtwQAvD_BwE

DustyLee123 · 25/09/2023 08:43

Foxes can easily scale a 6 foot fence.