Fox problem

brightman

radiohelen wrote: »

I have absolutely no idea!!! I've never had to do this before! Now I read on the fox lovers website that poison is illegal....well thanks a milllion for that! I don't know anyone with a shotgun license and anyway I've got an old people's home at the back of our house :eek:

Here's what my local council's website says:

Most people enjoy having foxes in the neighbourhood and do not wish to have them controlled. However, some people are genuinely distressed by having foxes in their gardens and there are a few methods that can be employed to discourage them from the garden:


Foxes dislike strong smells like diesel oil, and rags soaked in this hung strategically where the foxes enter will keep the foxes away.
Secure all rubbish in a tight, sealed bin
Refrain from feeding birds, unless the food is placed on a 'fox proof' bird table.
Fix holes in fences and attach wire mesh across gaps where foxes enter the garden.

I've done all of this....have had the husband peeing round the garden, no bird feeding, secure bins and mostly secure fences.....I'm at my wits end!

read this link http://www.nfws.org.uk/problems_01.html what a load of rubbish the things are destructive filthy vermin if this was France or Italy they would be controlled more investigation required sod the idiot Fox Lovers.

margaretclare

If you (illegally) put down poison for the foxes there is a risk that it will also poison the neighbourhood moggies, which are also nocturnal wild creatures which have their own defined territorial boundaries - even though they appear to be fluffy cuddly 'pets' during the daytime! Cats are the real 'Jekyll and Hyde' characters and I have more problems with their stinky sh*t in my garden than with that of any other creature. When chased away they're not nervous like the foxes, which disappear at the slightest sound - they just stand there and look as if to say 'who do you think you're shouting at, I have a right to be here!'

Grrrr to cats.

radiohelen

margaretclare wrote: »

Cats are the real 'Jekyll and Hyde' characters and I have more problems with their stinky sh*t in my garden than with that of any other creature. When chased away they're not nervous like the foxes, which disappear at the slightest sound - they just stand there and look as if to say 'who do you think you're shouting at, I have a right to be here!'

Grrrr to cats.

You clearly have scaredy cat foxes Margaretclare If the foxes on my patch were this timid I wouldn't have a problem.....

brightman

I am trying some Epsom Salts spread around areas where the things are roaming worth a try

olly300

I have sprinkled chilli powder all over my pots, tubs and anywhere I don't want the foxes to dig or !!!!. It also stops the squirrels digging for bulbs in the same areas as well. Luckily I live in area where I can decent sized bags for a £1.

As black pepper is suppose to work as well in summer I will change to that as it will look better.

The only problem with sprinkling stuff is that you have to keep an eye on the weather as one of the two damn creatures will catch you out.

A_Clock

margaretclare wrote: »

If you (illegally) put down poison for the foxes there is a risk that it will also poison the neighbourhood moggies, which are also nocturnal wild creatures which have their own defined territorial boundaries - even though they appear to be fluffy cuddly 'pets' during the daytime! Cats are the real 'Jekyll and Hyde' characters and I have more problems with their stinky sh*t in my garden than with that of any other creature. When chased away they're not nervous like the foxes, which disappear at the slightest sound - they just stand there and look as if to say 'who do you think you're shouting at, I have a right to be here!'

Grrrr to cats.

Chuck water or a rock at them, dont really help but makes you fell better Cats ruin my garden they crap next to my bulbs then scratch the tops of them

paddy's_mum

When rabies finally reaches these shores, all those fox lovers who currently feed the blighters and think them adorable will discover what a big mistake it was.

As it is now, ask any vet which creature is the commonest passer on of mange to pet dogs - and the treatment is both onerous and expensive.

I'm a great believer in putting a bit of lead in their ears - preferably with a 12 bore!

DKLS

Please dont poison or trap the fox too much scope for getting a dog/cat, You need to find someone with a high powered air rifle or a shotgun, preferably will the skills to kill the fox instantly and not let it suffer.

Failing that borrow a dog from a hunting heritage, Terriers and some of the Hound group are good for this job.

Suzy_M

Sounds as though you need to establish the garden is your territory and not the foxes by scaring the **** out of them. So if you really want to get rid, don't care what the neighbours think and are prepared to look really silly:

When you chase them out really chase them - run at them making as much noise as possible - the higher the pitch the better, try 'barking' and 'growling' like a dog, banging a tin tray, etc. etc. Make yourself look as big as possible - holding the edges of your coat or jacket out makes you look twice the width. Don't stop chasing them until they have left the garden. Once you get to the edge of your boundary carry on making noise, bang on fences etc. for a few moments. Other good high-pitched noise makers are personal attack alarms. A handful of large gravel thrown at a wooden fence is good too.

We've usually found the chase and noise technique works quite well (also for c**p happy cats) but has to be repeated regularly when they start showing up again.

If you are not that energetic get yourself a catapult and put a few large metallic targets around the garden. Aim for the targets with stones or at the foxes with 'wet pellets' (wet paper screwed up), again keep making noise until they have left the garden.

Collect some jars of strong smelling urine, or leave some to ferment for a while and place around the garden at strategic points and if you are not too 'delicate' throw urine at them.

Try a high pressure water pistol to fire at them whilst chasing them - and again if you are not too 'delicate' put some strong smelling urine in that as well.

You'll know if any of the techniques are working when they start looking more cautious but keep on at them until they get the message and repeat as necessary.

melanie22_2

radiohelen wrote: »

Sorry - I have to agree with those who want rid of Mr Fox. We've got them on both sides of the house - living in a railway embankment and living in the park opposite. It makes life awful . They stink - I mean really stink and at the minute they love our front garden for "amorous encounters" which have often had me with the finger on the 999 button cos I thought some teenager was being raped outside the house! They are so brazen - they strut around the garden looking sleek and fat during the day (probably because someone is feeding them) - they've gone for the cat and just laugh at me and the broom. Now I've got a baby and I'd like him to enjoy his garden without the fox !!!!!! and the threat of being bitten. I can't leave him out in his own garden for two minutes because they will be there sniffing round. We can't use a 12 bore here cos it's the middle of town, the council won't do anything so I'm seriously considering poison....not nice but what else is there? You used to be able to call in a todhunter....not anymore.
In any other country they would be classed as wild dogs and culled as a matter of course.....it's just us crazy Brits who can't get over the Doggy likeness!
Sorry - rant over!

OMG that made me laugh out loud about the amorous goings on lol.