Foxes are an essential part of nature, and it is easy to admire their elegance and resourcefulness at a distance. Whether it be diplomacy in their movements or remarkable wits, foxes are captivating animals. Nonetheless, like most wild animals, foxes lose their charm when they enter suburbia or urban settings. Although they might initially seem cute, foxes can be quite the trouble-makers. Damage is done in the form of trash bin-diving, garden excavation, and territorial marking, which can be inconvenient and expensive. For those dealing with these unwelcome visitors, it's all about finding the right approach to controlling their presence while coexisting with nature.
London is one of the places where the urban environment collides with natural wildlife zones. Foxes have managed to adapt to city life, and like most wild animals, they use their sense of smell and available food to guide them to residential areas. They are fond of compost heaps, rubbish bins, and pet food left outside. While their sight might be appealing, foxes can create serious issues like property damage, health risks, and garden aesthetics.
We will take a closer look at different approaches to dealing with foxes near your property, both natural and practical, and provide minimal damage to your home.
Understanding Why Foxes Are Drawn to Your Property
Knowing why foxes are drawn to your garden or yard is the first step towards preventing them. With their impeccable sense of smell, foxes, as scavengers, can locate food with relative ease. Their keen sense of smell leads them to gardens, compost heaps, and trash cans where food sources are plentiful. Because of their extremely territorial instincts, your garden could be an ideal place for them to mark their territory during mating seasons.
Like in rural areas, foxes are bolder in urban towns, which makes their close proximity to human beings unsurprising. What makes it even easier for them is that they can effortlessly find food and shelter. Once foxes identify a safe spot, they mark their territory and may begin to frequent the area, which poses a potential danger to your property.
Natural Ways to Deter Foxes
If you're looking to repel foxes without causing harm to them, several natural deterrents can be both practical and humane. Here are some strategies that rely on natural smells, sounds, and physical barriers:
Scent-Based Repellents
Foxes have a powerful sense of smell, making scent-based repellents one of the most effective ways to keep them at bay. Certain odours are known to be particularly offensive to foxes and can disrupt their presence in your garden.
Citrus Peels: Foxes dislike the strong scent of citrus fruits. Placing orange, lemon, or lime peels around your garden or along fences can effectively deter them. Not only does it keep foxes away, but it also leaves a fresh scent around your garden.
Chili Powder and Garlic: Chili powder and crushed garlic are powerful repellents. Foxes are sensitive to strong spices and pungent smells. Sprinkling this mixture in areas where foxes are likely to visit, such as near bins or vegetable patches, can help keep them from invading your space.
Essential Oils: Certain essential oils, like peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus, can be used as a repellent. Foxes find these scents unpleasant, so mixing a few drops of these oils with water and spraying them around your garden can deter foxes effectively.
Sound-Based Deterrents
Foxes are sensitive to loud noises and high-pitched sounds, so using sound-based repellents can effectively chase them away.
Motion-Activated Noisemakers: Devices equipped with motion sensors emitting loud noises or alarms when movement triggers are a great way to startle and repel foxes. These can be placed near trash bins or areas where foxes will likely roam. Foxes are generally wary of loud noises and will avoid the area.
Ultrasonic Devices: These devices emit high-pitched sounds that are unpleasant to foxes but are inaudible to humans. When triggered by motion, ultrasonic devices can create an environment that foxes find intolerable. However, wind direction or physical obstructions can influence their effectiveness.
Physical Barriers
While natural deterrents are effective, foxes are known for being persistent creatures. Sometimes, physical barriers are necessary to prevent them from accessing your property altogether.
Fencing: Installing a fence is one of the most effective ways to keep foxes out of your garden. The wall should be 6 feet high and constructed from materials that foxes cannot climb or squeeze through, such as wire mesh. Make sure to bury the fence at least 12 inches underground to prevent foxes from digging under.
Prickly Plants and Shrubs: Another physical barrier is using thorny or prickly plants. Shrubs like holly or rose bushes can deter foxes by making it uncomfortable for them to approach your garden. Planting dense hedges around the perimeter of your property can act as a natural deterrent.
Netting: If you have specific areas that you want to protect, such as vegetable gardens or flower beds, netting can be used to create an impenetrable barrier. Ensure the netting is securely fastened to the ground so that foxes cannot crawl underneath.
Managing Food Sources
Foxes are attracted to food sources like compost piles, trash bins, and pet food. Taking steps to secure these food sources is crucial to preventing foxes from entering your property.
Secure Trash Bins: Foxes are scavengers who often rummage through trash for food. To prevent this, ensure your bins are tightly sealed with secure lids. For added security, consider using bins with locking mechanisms.
Protect Your Compost Heap: If you have a compost bin, it's essential to secure it properly. A compost bin with a sealed lid or wrapped in wire mesh will prevent foxes from accessing it. Be mindful not to leave food scraps exposed outside.
When to Seek Professional Help
If foxes do not relent despite imposing all these restrictions on you, it might be the right time to start looking for help. Assessment of the problem areas will lead to customized suggestions concerning fox removal.
Pest control can do that permanently while offering rational measures to control fox invasions.
Conclusion
Having once captivated the hearts of many with the wild charm they exude, foxes become a menace once they step into your garden or property. Keeping foxes away and protecting your property relies on their management behaviors and the right combination of natural repellents, physical barriers, and food control. Whether you set up scent-based measures or sound deterrents, the proper fencing will get you a fox-free property. If nothing works, engaging professional pest control services should be a priority. Proactive measures will ensure a safe, tidy home with no foxes lurking about.
Frequently Asked Question
What is drawing foxes to my yard or property?
Gardens with small animals may attract fox subfamilies and small dens. Urban dwellings have an easy food supply, e.g., shredded pet food, compost heaps, and trash bins. In addition, smaller structures may provide shelter. Furthermore, foxes mark their territory, so your property might be appealing.
What are some of the best natural repellents for foxes?
Tangerine or orange peel, garlic in combination with pepper or species pepper, and even peppermint or French lavender oils work wonderfully. These scents are highly repulsive to foxes, so you must keep applying the mixtures to keep them away from your property.
Do ultrasonic devices keep foxes away?
Motion-activated ultrasonic devices keep working for the foxes as you are around. These gadgets would particularly help set motion sensors to activate when a fox enters a house-constructed copperfield. Surrounding conditions, such as windy spots or large objects, may hinder their effectiveness.
What fence security measures can I take to stop foxes from digging underneath?
To stop foxes from attempting to dig under your fence, it is recommended that you bury one section of it into the ground by twelve inches. Additionally, the wall should be 6 feet tall and constructed from materials like wire mesh, which foxes won't be able to scale. You can also improve deterrence by placing electric netting along the top.
If foxes keep coming onto my property, should I contact a pest control expert?
If you have tried everything and the foxes still won't leave, then it would be a good idea to reach out to a professional pest control service. They work on identifying the root cause and applying humane capture techniques. They also take care of preventing future problems for a longer duration.
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