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Foxes can be a nuisance to homeowners, as they often dig through trash cans or gardens in search of food. They may also carry diseases that are harmful to both humans and animals, such as rabies.
In this how-to guide, we will discuss some tips on how to deter foxes from your property.
Why You Should Keep Foxes Away
There may have been an increase in fox sightings in your neighbourhood. Even though they may appear to be adorable, foxes may be a pain in the neck. They may cause damage to your property, can also carry diseases and may pose a threat to small children or pets.
If you see an urban fox in your yard, it is best not to approach the animal as you may frighten it. A fox’s natural nervousness may lead them to bite if they feel cornered, threatened or sense sudden movement. Instead, call your local animal control agency.
How to Deter Foxes and Keep Them Away From Your Garden
Foxes are often drawn to residential areas as they provide a lot of covers and an easy food source. By making your home less appealing to foxes, you can discourage them from entering your property. Here are proven tips to help prevent fox visits.
Keep Trash Cans Tightly Sealed and Stored
Foxes love to scavenge through the garbage for food. So one of the easiest ways to discourage foxes from entering your property is to keep your trash cans tightly sealed and stored in a locked area. Make sure to clean up any spilt debris in your yard, as this can also attract foxes and other wild animals.
Install a Fence Around Your Property
Another way to make your home less appealing to foxes is to install fencing around your property. The fence should be at least six feet high and have spikes so that the foxes cannot climb over it.
If you have a garden, make sure to keep it well-fenced in as well, as foxes are known to dig through gardens in search of food. Consider installing a wire mesh beneath the fence so foxes cannot burrow underneath it.
Do Not Leave Pet Food or Water Outdoors
If you have pets, it is essential not to leave their food or water outdoors as these can also attract foxes. Also, keep an eye on your trash cans to make sure that they are tightly sealed.
Remove Any Fallen Vegetables or Fruits From Your Yard
Foxes love fallen fruits and vegetables, so removing these food sources from your yard as soon as possible is crucial. Always keep the area around your compost heap free of debris that may be attracting other creatures, such as raccoons or opossums.
Use Fox Deterrents
Several different repellents can be used to drive foxes away. These include motion sensor lights and sprinklers and ultrasonic fox-repellent devices.
Motion-activated Lights
These lights are great because they only go off when there is movement in the area, making them ideal for areas where people move around frequently or have pets outside during the night. The bright light will turn on whenever there is movement in your yard, which will scare away the foxes.
Sprinklers
Sprinklers are also a great option, as they can be set to go off when there is movement in the yard and will scare away any foxes that may be lingering around.
Ultrasonic Fox Deterrent Devices
Ultrasonic devices emit a high-pitched sound that is only audible to animals, which will help to scare away foxes from your property.
Each device often comes with a zinc-coated ground stake and usually runs on AA batteries so that it can be used in any area of your yard. However, the battery life varies depending on the model.
Keep Your Lawn Mowed and Tidy
Foxes are also known to be drawn to overgrown areas and have a lot of tall grass. Keeping your lawn mowed and tidy is an effective way of deterring foxes.
If you follow these tips, you can discourage foxes from entering your property and keep them safe.
What to Do if You See a Fox on Your Property
It is essential to take the appropriate actions to ensure that the animal is safe and does not pose a threat to you, your family, or your pets. Here are a few steps to follow:
Do Not Approach It
If you approach the animal, you may scare it and cause it to become defensive. This could lead to the creature attacking you or your loved ones. Instead, try to keep a safe distance from the animal and focus on getting it away from your property.
Call Your Local Animal Control Agency
If you see one fox and cannot get it away, it is important to call your local animal control agency.
They will be able to come out and remove the animal from your property. They will also determine if there are more foxes and other animals in the area that may pose a threat.
Never try to capture or trap it yourself. This can be dangerous, as foxes are known to be aggressive and may bite or scratch you if they feel threatened.
Keep Pets and Other Prey Animals Safe at All Times
It is vital to keep your pets indoors at all times until the animal has been removed from the area. This will ensure that they do not come into contact with the animal and are safe from any potential attacks.
If you have other prey animals on your property, such as chickens ad guinea fowl, make sure their coops are fox-proof. It would be wise to have a guard animal nearby, such as a large dog.
If you follow these tips, you can help to keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe from foxes. For more information on how to deal with a fox issue in a safe and humane way, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local animal control agency.
How to Make a Homemade Fox Repellent Spray
Foxes have a strong sense of smell. Hence, one way to prevent foxes from visiting your garden or backyard is by making a homemade repellent spray. The spray will help to keep the foxes away from your property and can be made with a few simple ingredients.
What to Prepare
- 1 cup of chilli pepper sauce
- One garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 quart of water
- 1/2 quart white vinegar
Instructions
- Mix the hot pepper sauce, garlic, and water in a bowl or pitcher.
- Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle and shake well.
- Spray the repellent around your property, focusing on areas where the foxes have been seen. Reapply as needed to help maintain the lingering smell.
This anti-fox spray is a great way to deter these animals from your property without using harsh chemicals.
If you follow these easy-to-follow instructions, you can make a homemade fox repellent spray that will help to keep these creatures away from your property.
Fox-Proofing Your Chicken Coop: Step-by-Step Instructions
If you keep chickens, it is vital to take steps to fox-proof your chicken coop.
Foxes are attracted to these animals and may try to gain access to the coop to snatch them up. You can drive these predators away and keep your chickens safe by taking the proper precautions.
Step 1: Prepare the Materials Needed
You will need the following:
- 1/4 inch hardware cloth
- Wire ties
- Scissors
Step 2: Cut the Hardware Cloth
Cut the cloth to size using scissors. The cloth must be large enough to cover all of the openings of the chicken coop, including the door.
Step 3. Tie the Cloth to the Coop
Secure the cloth to the coop with wire ties. Be sure to tightly wrap the ties around the cloth so that there is no way for the fox or small animals to get through.
You can keep your chickens safe from foxes by fox-proofing your chicken coop if you follow these instructions.
Tips for Keeping Pets Safe From Foxes
Foxes can be dangerous to pets, as they may attack them or cause them to become ill. Here are a few tips to help keep your pets safe from foxes and other predators:
- Keep your pets indoors at all times until the threat has been removed from the area.
- Ensure that your pets are up to date on their vaccinations, as foxes can carry rabies and other diseases.
- Keep your property well-maintained and free of garbage or food scraps that may attract foxes.
- Install a fence around your property at least six feet high with spikes.
- If you have a dog, keep him or her on a leash when taking them outside.
- Watch out for any signs of foxes, such as tracks in the snow or paw prints near their bedding areas. If you suspect that your pet has been attacked by one, take it to see a veterinarian immediately!
- Do not approach or try to capture wild creatures, as they may be aggressive. Contact your local animal control agency for assistance.
Mistakes to Avoid When Fox-Proofing Your Property
Now that you know how to get rid of foxes in your garden in the UK, let’s discuss the mistakes people often make when fox-proofing their property:
Failing to Fence the Yard Properly
A good fence is the most important part of keeping foxes out of your yard. Make sure it is at least six feet high and has chicken wire mesh spikes to prevent them from climbing over.
Leaving Food Scraps Outdoors
Leaving food scraps or garbage on the ground could attract foxes. Hence, it is important never to leave pet food outdoors or forget to seal garbage bins.
Leaving Pets Unattended
Another mistake is failing to keep their pets indoors at all times until the animal has been removed from the area. Keep pets leashed when outside.
Not Installing Proper Lighting
If you haven’t installed proper lighting around your home, foxes will have more hiding spaces whenever they enter your property.
If you avoid these mistakes, it will be much easier for you to keep foxes away from your property and out of harm’s way!
FAQs About Deterring Foxes
What Smells Do Foxes Hate?
If you’re wondering what smells repel foxes, they are repelled by strong smells such as ammonia, mothballs, or chilli peppers. You can spread any of these around your property to repel foxes and prevent them from coming near.
What Is the Best Way to Get Rid of a Fox if I See One on My Property?
Do not attempt to capture the animal, as it may be aggressive. Contact your local animal control agency for assistance.
How to Keep Foxes Out of Gardens?
To prevent foxes and other unwanted pests from entering your yard, you should install a fence around the perimeter of your property.
Ensure it is at least six feet high with fox wall spikes to prevent them from climbing over. You can also try spreading strong-smelling substances such as ammonia, mothballs or cayenne pepper around your property.
What Is the Best Fox Deterrent?
The best deterrent for foxes is a combination of fencing your property and using strong-smelling substances around the perimeter. Ensure your entire garden is well-groomed and free of any food sources that may attract them.
Foxes are also known to dig holes under your garden soil, so consider installing wire mesh beneath the ground to prevent this.
Where Can I Buy an Anti-fox Spray?
You can buy an anti-fox spray at most hardware stores or online. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully and always wear gloves when using them.
Can I Trap Foxes Myself?
Never attempt to capture it yourself, as they may be aggressive. Contact your local animal control agency for assistance.
Is Human Urine a Fox Deterrent?
Male predator urine is a deterrent for foxes. Distribute the male urine around your garden to discourage foxes.
Fox-Proofing Your Garden
Foxes can be pesky creatures. They often invade yards and gardens and can cause a lot of damage in the process.
If you have been struggling to keep these wild creatures away from your property, this guide on how to deter foxes will help keep your garden and yard safe! Let us know in the comments if you have any additional tips to add.
Paul is the type of person who never met a problem he couldn’t fix. He can always be found tinkering with something in his house, even if it isn’t broken! His tips and tricks are often shared on our site. He’s the one you call when something breaks because he has been known to improvise fixes for everything from leaky faucets to malfunctioning dryers.
