I’m a gardening enthusiast – how to keep pesky foxes out of your garden with five easy deterrents
FOXES are regular visitors popping in most gardens across the nation, both in rural and urban areas.
While these wild animals are not dangerous to humans – unless rabid (a rare occurrence) – they can cause a great deal of havoc for outdoor spaces.
From digging up flower beds and vegetable patches whilst on the hunt for a meal to making a lot of noise, foxes can be a nightmare to deal with.
Luckily, according to Katie Mills at Poshh Living, there are a few things gardeners can do to keep them at bay.
KNOW WHAT THEY DISLIKE
In order to start make your garden unpleasant to foxes, it is important to find out what attracts them and the things they dislike.
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Just like all animals, foxes try to remain safe at all times and will avoid situations and environment they deem dangerous.
As both sudden movements and bright lights usually spook these animals, it is worth considering investing in a garden lighting system.
An outdoor sensor light is great for this, as it will turn on when detecting the slightest movement.
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CLEAN UP DROPPINGS
As unpleasant as the task may be, not only will clearing any fox droppings keep your garden clean and neat but can also stop the animals from returning over and over again.
This is because foxes, like all animals, use their excrement to mark their territory – so once disposed, you will have removed both the smell and their sense of ”This is my home”.
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ATTACK THEIR SENSE OF SMELL
Foxes have been gifted a highly advanced sense of smell, which helps them hunt for a meal, as well as find their territory.
In order to ensure they don’t pop by for a visit and set up a permanent camp in your garden, it is crucial to mask any smell they might enjoy.
Foxes, it turns out, are known to not be particularly fond of the smell of chilli peppers and garlic.
Alternatively, for more potent methods, gardeners can also purchase fox repellent from certain specialist shops.
CHANGE UP THE SETTING
Familiarity is an aspect most thrive on – and foxes are no exception.
If you struggle with a recurring problem of these unwanted visitors, it might be worth considering switching up the layout of your garden where possible.
While replanting flowers and trees is probably not an option, moving around garden furniture and plant pots will be enough to create a sense of chaos and confusion.
This might be enough to deter them from returning in the future.
MAKE YOUR GARDEN LESS APPEALING
While working on their garden and setting it up, what most people don’t realise is that they might be unknowingly inviting foxes.
These animals love feeling safe and secure – and having countless nooks and crannies makes for the perfect hiding spot.
Any old furniture, as well as random junk, can create dens, which foxes are fond of.
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Similarly, plants and long grass which haven’t been cut in a while should also be considered by concerned gardeners.
For those who like to feed other wildlife, such as birds, it is also important to remember that foxes might find the smell of nuts and bread appealing as well.