How to Deter Foxes: Comprehensive Guide to Protecting Your Property

Foxes, with their cunning intelligence and adaptable nature, are increasingly common sights in urban and suburban areas. While they can be fascinating creatures to observe from a distance, their presence often becomes problematic when they start scavenging in gardens, disturbing bins, or even posing a threat to pets. This comprehensive guide provides a detailed, step-by-step approach to effectively deter foxes from your property, ensuring a peaceful coexistence.

Understanding the Fox Mindset

Before diving into deterrence methods, it’s crucial to understand what attracts foxes in the first place. Foxes are primarily opportunistic feeders and will seek out easily accessible sources of food and shelter. Common attractants include:

• Food Sources: Unsecured bins, compost piles, pet food left outdoors, fallen fruit, and bird feeders are all potential buffet stops for foxes.
• Shelter: Underneath sheds, decks, or porches, dense vegetation, and abandoned buildings provide perfect hiding spots and breeding dens.
• Water Sources: Ponds, bird baths, or even a leaky tap can be attractive, especially during dry weather.

By addressing these attractants, you can make your property less appealing to foxes, encouraging them to move on.

Step-by-Step Deterrence Strategies

Effective fox deterrence is rarely about a single solution. It’s usually a multi-faceted approach that combines different techniques. Here’s a detailed breakdown of various methods you can implement:

1. Eliminate Food Sources: The Foundation of Fox Deterrence

This is the most fundamental step. If there’s nothing for them to eat, foxes will naturally seek food elsewhere. Here’s how to tackle food attractants:

A. Secure Your Bins:

• Invest in Bins with Secure Lids: Choose bins made of sturdy plastic or metal with tight-fitting lids. Consider bins with locking mechanisms to prevent foxes from tipping them over or opening them.
• Weight Down Lids: If your bins don’t have secure lids, place heavy bricks or weights on top to make it difficult for foxes to access the contents.
• Store Bins Securely: Keep bins in a shed, garage, or enclosed area, if possible. If not, consider building a bin enclosure with a gate.

B. Manage Compost Piles:

• Use a Compost Tumbler: Enclosed compost tumblers are much harder for foxes to access than open heaps.
• Avoid Adding Meat, Dairy, and Cooked Food Scraps: These attract foxes and rodents. Stick to vegetable scraps, fruit peelings, and garden waste.
• Bury Food Scraps: If you have an open compost pile, bury food scraps deep within the pile to make them harder to reach.

C. Protect Pet Food:

• Feed Pets Indoors: Avoid leaving pet food bowls outside, especially overnight.
• Clean Up Spills: If you feed pets outdoors, immediately clean up any spilled food.
• Store Pet Food Securely: Keep bags or containers of pet food in a secure location, preferably indoors or in a locked container.

D. Manage Bird Feeders:

• Use Squirrel-Proof Feeders: These feeders are designed to prevent squirrels and, by extension, some foxes from accessing the food.
• Clean Up Spilled Seed: Regularly sweep up any spilled seed from beneath bird feeders.
• Use Seed Catchers: Place a tray or catcher beneath feeders to prevent seeds from falling to the ground.
• Consider Alternatives: If possible, consider using seedless bird food options.

E. Harvest Fallen Fruit:

• Pick Up Fallen Fruit Regularly: Don’t allow fallen fruit to accumulate under trees. Collect it daily to remove a valuable food source for foxes.

2. Eliminate Shelter: Making Your Property Less Inviting

Foxes seek out shelter, especially during the breeding season. Denying them suitable hiding places will make your property less attractive. Here’s how:

A. Seal Off Underneath Structures:

• Install Chicken Wire or Mesh: Block off access points beneath decks, sheds, porches, and other structures using sturdy wire mesh or chicken wire. Ensure the mesh extends deep into the ground to prevent foxes from digging underneath.
• Use Solid Barriers: Use solid materials like wood or concrete to create a physical barrier where appropriate.
• Regularly Inspect Barriers: Check barriers periodically for any signs of damage or attempts to dig underneath, and repair them promptly.

B. Manage Vegetation:

• Trim Dense Shrubs and Bushes: Dense vegetation provides ideal hiding spots for foxes. Trim back overgrown shrubs and bushes to eliminate potential cover.
• Remove Piles of Wood or Debris: Piles of wood, rubble, or other debris can serve as shelter. Clear these areas to deny foxes hiding places.
• Maintain a Tidy Garden: Keep your garden tidy and free of debris.

C. Secure Fences:

• Install a Fox-Proof Fence: If you have a perimeter fence, consider burying the bottom section at least 12-18 inches deep and adding an outward-facing ‘L’ shape at the bottom to deter digging. This effectively blocks foxes from getting underneath.
• Use Netting: Attach wire mesh or netting to the lower part of your fence to prevent foxes from squeezing through gaps.
• Regular Fence Checks: Check your fence regularly for any damage, holes, or weak spots, and repair them immediately.

3. Scare Tactics: Making Your Property Seem Dangerous

While not always a permanent solution, scare tactics can be effective in the short term and can reinforce other deterrence measures. Here are some options:

A. Motion-Activated Sprinklers:

• Install Sprinklers: Place motion-activated sprinklers strategically around your property, especially in areas where foxes are frequently seen. The sudden burst of water will often startle them and make them think twice about returning.
• Adjust Settings: Adjust the sensitivity and range of the sprinkler to ensure it is activated by foxes but not by other animals or people.
• Move Regularly: Rotate the position of sprinklers to prevent foxes from becoming accustomed to them.

B. Ultrasonic Deterrents:

• Purchase an Ultrasonic Device: These devices emit high-frequency sounds that are unpleasant to foxes but generally inaudible to humans. Place them around your garden and problem areas.
• Vary Location: Like sprinklers, move the device regularly to maintain its effectiveness.
• Consider Quality: Invest in a high-quality device, as cheaper models may not be as effective.

C. Visual Deterrents:

• Use Lights: Bright, flashing lights can be unnerving to foxes, especially at night. Motion-activated lights work best.
• Place Reflective Objects: Hang shiny, reflective objects like old CDs or foil in your garden to startle foxes.
• Use Predator Decoys: While sometimes effective, predator decoys (like plastic owls) may lose their novelty over time. Rotate them periodically to keep foxes on edge.

D. Noise Makers:

• Use a Loud Noise: When you see a fox, make a loud noise, such as clapping your hands or shouting. This may scare it away, especially if repeated consistently.
• Use a Portable Air Horn: A portable air horn can provide a louder, more startling noise. Use it sparingly to avoid disturbing your neighbors.

4. Scent Deterrents: Using Their Sense of Smell Against Them

Foxes have a keen sense of smell, which can be used against them. Certain scents can deter them effectively.

A. Animal Urine:

• Predator Urine: The scent of predator urine, such as that of a dog or coyote, can signal danger to foxes. You can purchase predator urine online or at garden supply stores.
• Apply Carefully: Apply urine-based deterrents around the perimeter of your property and in areas where foxes are frequently seen. Reapply as needed, especially after rain.
• Use Sparingly: A little goes a long way; too much urine can be unpleasant for humans as well.

B. Citrus Scents:

• Orange and Lemon Peels: Foxes are often repelled by the strong scent of citrus. Place orange and lemon peels around your garden, especially near vulnerable areas.
• Citrus-Based Sprays: You can also use citrus-based sprays to deter foxes.
• Reapply Regularly: The scent will fade over time, so reapply peels or spray regularly.

C. Capsaicin:

• Use Chilli-Based Sprays: Capsaicin, the chemical compound found in chili peppers, can be a powerful deterrent. You can purchase ready-made capsaicin sprays or create your own (use caution when making your own!).
• Apply Cautiously: Be careful not to get capsaicin spray on your skin or in your eyes. Wear gloves and avoid spraying near your own plants.
• Test First: Test a small area first to ensure that the spray does not damage your plants.

5. Human Presence and Awareness: The Key to Long-Term Success

Ultimately, your own awareness and proactive approach are critical to long-term fox deterrence:

A. Be Observant:

• Monitor Your Property: Pay close attention to areas where foxes are frequently seen or where they might be creating dens.
• Identify Entry Points: Identify how foxes are entering your property, and focus your deterrence efforts on those areas.
• Adjust Tactics: Be prepared to adapt your deterrence methods over time, as foxes may become accustomed to certain tactics.

B. Be Consistent:

• Maintain Deterrents: Make sure to regularly maintain your deterrence methods, such as refilling sprinklers, reapplying scents, and reinforcing barriers.
• Don’t Leave Gaps: Don’t slack off on your efforts. If you stop, foxes will likely return.
• Educate Others: If you have neighbors, educate them about fox deterrence techniques to create a collective effort in your community.

C. Avoid Direct Interaction:

• Do Not Feed Foxes: Feeding foxes, even unintentionally, encourages them to associate humans with food.
• Do Not Approach Foxes: It’s best to avoid any close interaction with foxes. They are wild animals and can potentially bite if they feel threatened.
• Protect Pets: Keep pets indoors or under supervision, especially during times when foxes are most active (dawn and dusk).

Important Considerations

Legality and Ethics: Always ensure that your deterrence methods comply with local laws and regulations regarding wildlife management. It’s crucial to use humane methods that do not cause harm to foxes. Avoid trapping or poisoning, as these methods are not only unethical but often illegal.


Patience and Persistence: Deterring foxes may not happen overnight. It requires patience, persistence, and consistent effort. Be prepared to implement multiple strategies and to adjust them as needed.


Community Effort: If you live in a densely populated area, encourage neighbors to join your efforts. Collective action will have a far greater impact.


Professional Assistance: If you are struggling to control foxes, consider seeking professional advice from wildlife control experts. They can assess your situation and recommend tailored solutions.

Conclusion

Foxes can be a nuisance, but with a proactive and comprehensive approach, you can effectively deter them from your property. By eliminating food sources, providing less shelter, utilizing scare tactics, and employing scent deterrents, you can create an environment that is less appealing to these cunning creatures. Remember, patience and consistency are key to long-term success. By taking these steps, you can protect your property and coexist peacefully with the wildlife in your area.