What would keep foxes away? Some people might say that a big, scary dog would do the trick. Others might swear by a double-barreled shotgun.
But what if neither of those deterrents works? What can you do to make sure the pesky foxes don’t take up residence in your backyard or garden?
Read on for four foolproof ways to keep foxes at bay!
What Attract Foxes to Your Property?
Foxes are known for their cunning and intelligence, but what else might they be attracted to? It turns out that there are a few things that can attract foxes to your garden, including food, shelter, and water.
If you have a lot of foot traffic in your garden, chances are you’re also leaving behind some food scraps. This is an easy way for foxes to get a quick meal, and it’s one of the main reasons why they might be drawn to your garden.
Another attraction for foxes is shelter. If your garden has a lot of dense foliage, it can provide a good hiding spot for foxes.
Finally, water is another essential element for all animals, and foxes are no exception. If you have a pond or other source of water in your garden, it’s likely that foxes will be drawn to it.
Signs That Foxes are Regular Visitors on Your Property
If you live in an area where foxes are known to roam, you may wonder if they’re paying regular visits to your property. There are a few telltale signs that can give you a clue.
First, take a look at the tracks left behind in the mud or snow. Foxes have small, narrow feet with sharp claws, so their tracks will look distinctly different from those of a dog or cat.
Another telltale sign is the presence of scat or fox droppings. Unlike other animals, foxes typically deposit their scat in a single neat pile. If you find a messy collection of droppings, it’s likely not from a fox.
Finally, foxes are known to be vocal creatures, so if you hear random yips, howls, and barks in the middle of the night, there’s a good chance a fox is nearby.
If you suspect you have regular fox visitors on your property, take precautions to keep them away.
How To Keep Foxes Away
Knowing that foxes prefer security, secluded areas, particularly those without lights, peace, quiet, and consistent food sources, and despise loud noises, surprises, loud noises, and sudden movements, as well as lights and vibrations, we could easily devise a method to keep them at bay.
Clean Your Garden and Keep It Tidy
As any gardener knows, a well-tended garden is a thing of beauty. But did you know that it can also be a major attractant for foxes?
That’s right – foxes prefer overgrown, untidy gardens because they provide excellent cover. If you’re looking to reduce the fox population in your garden, the best thing to do is clear it out.
Remove items such as old gardening gloves and shoes, which can smell very appealing to foxes. Foxes are scavengers and will scavenge if food is not kept in a secure container. As a result, make sure to place your trash in a secure bin and close the lid.
By taking these simple precautions, you can discourage foxes from making your garden their home.
Secure the Sheds and Garages
If you’re one of the many people who have considered building a shed or garage on their property, there’s something you should be aware of: if you don’t build your foundation on concrete, you could be inadvertently providing a cozy home for a family of foxes.
Foxes typically create dens for their cubs beneath sheds and garages, but if your foundation is made of concrete, they’ll look for somewhere else to set up shop.
So, if you want to avoid becoming an unwitting landlord, be sure to build your shed or garage on a solid foundation.
And, if you already have a shed or garage on your property, check the foundation for any cracks or holes that could provide an easy entrance for foxes. Taking these simple precautions will help to keep foxes out of your home and prevent them from causing any damage.
Remove Food Sources
Any animal, be they as small as a or as large as an elephant, is drawn to food sources. This is especially true of foxes, which will go to great lengths to get a tasty morsel.
Therefore, it behooves us, if we don’t want foxes around, to make sure they don’t have easy access to food. There are several things we can do to achieve this. Perhaps most importantly, we should avoid keeping small animals confined outside.
This includes chickens, rabbits, and other small livestock. If they must be kept outside, their cages should be locked and any openings or weaknesses in the structure should be reinforced. Cats should be kept indoors at all times.
Pet food should be out of reach of foxes, and trash cans should be securely closed. Spilled seed should be swept away from the area beneath bird feeders. Finally, if we have a compost bin, it should be enclosed.
By taking these simple precautions, we can deter foxes from returning.
Fox Scents
Foxes are notorious for fouling gardens, and once they’ve decided to use a certain spot as their personal bathroom, they’re often quite reluctant to give it up. This can lead to some frustrating Clean-up efforts on the part of the garden owner.
For instance, cleaning concrete areas with chemicals such as bleach may temporarily mask the odor, but it won’t get rid of it. The fox will just come back and do its business in the same spot.
To really discourage a fox from fouling in a particular area, you need to use either a biological washing powder mixed with hot water or an enzyme-based product from your veterinarian. This will break down the waste residue, making the area less attractive as a toilet for the fox.
Of course, when cleaning up fox waste, always wear gloves! You may have to wash the same spot repeatedly – sometimes every day for a fortnight – but eventually the fox usually gets the message and stops fouling in that area.
Install Water Sprinklers
Looking for a surefire way to keep foxes out of your garden? Automatic water sprinklers may be the answer. These systems work by being connected to your hosepipe and having a motion sensor that is powered by batteries.
When a fox walks in front of the sensor, it will trigger the sprinkler to fire a 5-second burst of water. This will scare the fox away and reset the system. You will need to reposition it every few days to keep them guessing.
Just be warned that if you have cats or dogs, they may also get sprayed with water if they happen to walk in front of the sensor!
Summary
So, what’s the takeaway? Foxes are crafty and determined creatures that can be deterred with a few simple tricks. If you live in an area frequented by foxes, keep these tips in mind to help protect your property (and pets!) from becoming their next meal.
Have you ever had a run-in with a pesky fox? Let us know about it in the comments!
