How to keep foxes out of your garden

Foxes are intriguing and mischievous creatures that can cause havoc in our gardens; digging dens, scavenging for food, scaring small pets and leaving their distinctive mark. But how do you keep foxes out of your garden without causing them harm? 

Although some may consider them vermin, there are a raft of ways to encourage your foxy friends to move back to a more natural habitat.

The RSPCA offers some humane options

While the RSPCA is keen for us to enjoy the native wildlife that comes into our gardens, it also understands that foxes are sometimes uninvited guests.

“Foxes are omnivorous and don't have any particular specialised food requirements,” says Rachel Burn, senior national press officer at the RSPCA, “so it isn't surprising that they are found in many of our towns and cities.”

“They are most common in areas of low-density suburban housing, which was built when land was cheaper, and where the houses have large, enclosed gardens,” says Burn. “Overgrown areas and spaces under garden sheds provide shelter for foxes, and there will be many food sources available to them. Even older housing in industrial towns, or more modern developments with little open space and small gardens, can still support populations of urban foxes.”

So how do we keep foxes out of our gardens? “The most humane and long-term solution to discourage foxes,” says Burn, “is to remove or prevent access to the things that are attracting them to the area, like food and shelter.”

There are also other deterrents that we can consider: “Barriers, such as fencing or prickly plants, and chemical repellents that are approved for use with foxes, may discourage them from coming into a garden.

“Repellents are available from garden centres or hardware stores,” adds Burn, “but care must be taken to follow the instructions closely, as each product is prepared and approved for use against certain animals in a particular way.”

Eric Michels, Head of Vivara Pro, a specialist in wildlife products, suggests monitoring the foxes with a wildlife camera: “You can see which animals are coming and going, and you may even spot other forms of wildlife, not just the uninvited guests.”

1. Reduce food sources

Keep temptation out of reach

Foxes are natural scavengers and are attracted to all kinds of food in both rural and urban areas. Whatever you do, don’t leave food out for them and be sure to hide away any other potential food sources.

Avoid feeding your pets outside and keep food and fruit and vegetable peelings securely under wraps.

2. Secure your bins

Keep your rubbish under wraps.

Foxes love to raid bins, so secure your bins with sturdy lids or place them inside a lockable bin shed.

3. Close access points

Fill in any gaps

Foxes are slinky creatures and “an adult fox can squeeze through a hole as small as 10cm (4in) in diameter”, according to Home and Roost, pet and wildlife homes retailer.

To deter them from entering your garden, check around your outside space for anywhere they could access. Broken fences make good access points. If you can’t replace the broken fencing, fill the space with netting or block it with pieces of wood. Ideally, fences should be fitted with concrete boards that go into the ground to prevent foxes from digging under them.

4. Secure the area underneath sheds and decking

Clear away rubbish

To prevent foxes from making a den, ensure the area around your shed or decking is clear of rubbish. Clearing the clutter will make the area less attractive to a pregnant vixen.

A solid base below a shed will also prevent foxes from being able to dig it out and create a cosy den for their new offspring. Once you are sure the area is free of foxes, secure it with netting.

5. Tidy your garden

Remove overgrowth

Foxes enjoy feeling secure and will happily find a safe place in an overgrown garden. To prevent them taking shelter, be sure to tidy up your garden – but be mindful that a very tidy garden won’t attract as much wildlife in general.

6. Put bird feeders out of reach

Reposition your bird feeding stations

Whilst it’s important to feed the birds, foxes will hunt out bird food. Although they feed on rabbits, rodent and frogs, they enjoy berries and fruit too. They’re also more likely to clamber up a bird table in the winter, when other food is harder to find.

Michels suggests: “Ensure bird feeders are kept elevated, well out of reach of foxes, and clear up any seed spillages or fallen fruit immediately.”

7. Keep your outside pets secure

Protect your pets within an enclosure

Foxes will unfortunately see small animals, such as rabbits, chickens and guinea pigs kept outside, as a tasty meal.

To protect your pets, ensure any enclosure is secure and fox-proof. Add a solid floor, to stop foxes digging underneath, attach a lock, and use strong wire mesh to surround the enclosure.

8. Protect your fruit and veg

Wrap your crops in netting

Foxes will munch on your prized crops, so if you have a problem with foxes in your garden, you’d be wise to invest in a fruit cage to protect your harvest, or alternatively use chicken wire. It will also help prevent birds from stealing your supplies.

9. Cover ponds

Protect the wildlife

To prevent foxes from taking a paw to your fish and frogs, cover your pond with netting. Most pond netting can also be used to protect plants. Make sure you choose a netting with a small enough mesh to prevent foxes from reaching through, yet large enough to allow other wildlife to access the pond.

10. Deter foxes with scent

Use strong smells

Foxes dislike strong smells, so you can try spraying your garden with peppermint oil, making sure to dilute it before use, as it can be harmful to animals. You can also try infusing garlic or chilli peppers in hot water and spraying it around your garden as a deterrent.

11. Try off-the-shelf deterrents

Mark out your territory

There are plenty of fox repellents available to purchase at reasonable prices. These work by scenting areas with odours that foxes associate with other animals. Although they are usually easy to use, they will require multiple applications to keep the foxes away.

Before using, read the application instructions carefully.

12. Motion-sensor deterrents

Scare them off

“Foxes are very timid animals,” says Michels, “so installing automatic lights will scare foxes without causing any harm. And if you spot one, simply making a loud noise will soon send them running.”

Use a device with a motion sensor that either gives off a high-pitched sound, creates a bright light or expresses a burst of water. The fox will soon learn to give the space a wide berth.

13. Call in the experts

The RSPCA will help

If you have any foxes living in your garden that you’d prefer to be relocated, or if you spot a fox that might be injured, call in the experts. Contact your local RSPCA rescue centre for more advice.