10 Tips On How To Stop Foxes In Your Garden

18/01/2023 Rob Walter

We've all had the frustrating experience of discovering that a fox has been in our garden, raiding our compost bin and digging up plants. It can be frustrating and a little disheartening.

Foxes are naturally curious scavengers who are attracted to any potential food sources. They hunt both in urban and rural areas, so if you have a garden that looks inviting, they will take advantage of the opportunity to grab some tasty snacks!

In addition to food, foxes may also be attracted by shelter or because your garden is a safe place for them to rest.

Thankfully, you don't have to suffer from fox invasions for long. There are several steps you can take to deter foxes safely and humanely.

Here are ten tips on how to stop foxes in your garden:

1. Remove Any Potential Food Sources From Your Garden

One of the most common reasons why foxes visit a garden is because there is food available.

Remove any potential food sources – including compost, pet food, fruit and vegetable scraps – from your garden to discourage foxes from visiting.

If you have any pets, make sure to feed them indoors and block off any areas where they can leave food scraps outside.

Regularly clean up any mess left behind by wildlife or your pets, as foxes are attracted to these smells.

2. Secure Your Bins

Foxes are notorious bin raiders, so make sure your bins are secured with a sturdy lid. It's also worth investing in a lockable bin or a fox-proof container if you're particularly concerned about foxes getting into your rubbish.

A bin storage unit can also be a useful deterrent, as it will make it harder for foxes to access your bins. Choose a sturdy unit with a latch that can be securely closed.

This will help to deter foxes as they won't be able to access the contents easily, and eventually, they will be put off from visiting your garden.

3. Place Your Bird Feeders Out of Reach

Foxes can be opportunistic feeders, so make sure your bird feeders are placed in an area where foxes cannot reach them.

It's best to hang bird feeders at least 5 feet off the ground and away from shrubs or trees that may provide access for foxes. 

If you have a tall fence, you can attach your bird feeder to the inside of this to keep it out of reach.

4. Ensure There Are No Access Points in Your Garden

Foxes are excellent climbers and can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps, so make sure to check your garden for any potential access points.

Look out for cracks in walls or fences and block them up with mesh netting or other materials. 

If you have a shed, make sure the door is securely closed at all times.

If you know that foxes have been accessing your garden, it might be a good idea to monitor them for a few days and see where they are getting in. This will help you identify which areas need to be sealed off.

5. Regularly Check For Tell-Tale Fox Signs

On the other hand, if you are not sure if foxes have been in your garden and you're just being cautious, it's a good idea to regularly check for signs of them.

Look out for paw prints and droppings that indicate where the fox has been. You might also spot holes or other digging marks that indicate they've been looking for food.

You can also look for tracks leading away from the garden to see if they are using your garden as a travel route.

6. Cover Your Pond

If you have a pond in your garden, make sure it's covered with pond netting or another material that foxes cannot easily access. This will help to protect any fish or amphibians from being targeted by foxes.

Make sure you choose a netting with a mesh size that is small enough to prevent foxes from reaching through yet still allowing other wildlife to access the water.

7. Use Fruit Cages to Protect Your Plants

There's nothing worse than having your prized plants destroyed by foxes. To protect them, use a fruit cage to provide a good level of security.

Fruit cages can also be used to protect vegetables, fruit trees and berry bushes, as well as flowers. They can be great deterrents, as foxes are very unlikely to be able to gain access if the fruit cage door is secured properly.

Not only will this help to deter foxes, but it will also protect your plants from other potential predators, such as cats and birds.

Browse our strong steel fruit cages and find the perfect one to protect your garden.

8. Use Safe Deterrents

You can also try to deter foxes from your garden by using safe deterrents.

Motion-activated water sprayers, sonic devices and odour repellents are all effective methods of keeping foxes away. Be sure to use products that are approved for use in gardens, as some of the more unpleasant repellents can be harmful to animals.

You can also create your own scarecrow or sound-emitting device to scare away foxes. Just make sure it's well-maintained and still effective after a few weeks.

Foxes are particularly sensitive to strong scents, such as:

• Citrus fruits
• Garlic
• Chilli powder
• Coffee grounds

By using these and other safe, natural deterrents, you can discourage foxes from entering your garden.

9. Produce Noise if You Spot a Fox

If you spot a fox in your garden, don't hesitate to produce noise. Making loud noises, such as clapping or shouting, could help to scare away any foxes that are nearby.

It might seem obvious to do this, but it's important to remember that foxes can get used to people very quickly, so make sure to follow up on this with other measures.

If you have a dog, allowing them outside for short periods of time when you spot a fox might also help to deter future visits from the animal.

10. Contact Your Local Wildlife Rescue Centre

If you feel like you have tried every measure under the sun to keep foxes away from your garden and nothing is working, it might be time to contact a local wildlife rescue centre. 

These organisations can help you to find a humane solution to the problem.

Make sure to check out your local Wildlife Trust's website for more information on how they can assist you with managing foxes in your garden.

What Do You Do if You Find an Injured Fox in Your Garden?

If you find an injured fox in your garden, you should contact a local wildlife rescue centre for advice and assistance.

Do not attempt to handle the fox yourself, as it can be dangerous. The experts at the centre will have the right equipment and experience to deal with an injured animal humanely.

You should also take steps to ensure that the fox is not disturbed by any other animals or people while it is being cared for. If possible, keep pets away from the area and advise neighbours not to approach the animal either.

Summary: How to Keep Foxes Out of Your Garden Safely

Nobody likes having foxes in their garden. These animals can cause a lot of damage and disruption for homeowners, not to mention the danger they pose to small pets and children.

Fortunately, you can take some steps towards fox-proofing your garden to make sure they stay away. Fences and fruit cages can provide a good level of security, while safe deterrents like motion-activated water sprayers and odour repellents can be effective in keeping foxes away.

Hide food sources foxes may be attracted to, and make sure to produce noise if you spot a fox in your garden.

It's important not to take any measures that will be harmful to the fox or put them in way of danger. Instead, you should contact your local rescue centre for advice and assistance if you are struggling to keep foxes away from your garden.

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