Deterring fox from garden....

Monaou2

We have two young foxes that seem to be calling our garden home. At first I thought they were cute - watching them playing on the grass etc (I thought they were nocturnal!) - but now they are getting too comfortable for my liking and I'd like to deter them away from my garden.

This evening they were playing with bulbs they dug up from my raised bed so not impressed - and when I scooted them away they just ran to the back wall and were back again when my back was turned!

It's a typical Dublin city garden. We have never fed them and bins not kept nearby. So no source of food. Have searched and can't find a den anywhere.

I don't want to harm them in any way.

As far as I can see fox deterrent pellets or those sonic sound things seem to be my only options - and I'm not mad on either.

Anyone tried anything else that worked? Or any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Have a read of these
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/18/battle-with-urban-fox-london

https://www.getridofthings.com/pests/animals/get-rid-of-foxes/

magicbastarder

A neighbour claims she was advised to scatter human hair around her garden. She got a sack from the local hairdresser and claimed it worked. Two things about that - she's a little eccentric so I can't claim that's foolproof advice, and second, that idea may not be palatable...

Day Lewin

They are the offspring of this year's breeding... Young cubs becoming adolescent. Very visible at this time of year.
By August they will be almost grown-up and will scatter to find new turf.

It's actually almost impossible to deter foxes from an area... There are probably many more in the area than you suspect! Owing to their nocturnal habits.

A large dog loose in the garden is about the best discouragement, but may not be practical.

Monaou2

Thanks for your comments folks.

That Guardian article is kinda scary re how much of a pest they can become.

Thanks for the suggestion re hair - but that's just a bit yuck!

Looks like best option is to wait it out and fingers crossed they'll head off to finer pastures so by the end of summer.

Thanks again.

Hocus Focus

magicbastarder wrote: »

A neighbour claims she was advised to scatter human hair around her garden. She got a sack from the local hairdresser and claimed it worked. Two things about that - she's a little eccentric so I can't claim that's foolproof advice, and second,  that idea may not be palatable...

No it's not a eccentric idea. It has been proved to work, although I can't speak from personal experience. It seems to be something to do with marking territory.

recedite

Dog hair is a lot better than human hair. Maybe try a dog grooming salon if you don't have your own shaggy dog.
They might think you are barking mad though.


I'll get me coat...

One_Of_Shanks

magicbastarder wrote: »

A neighbour claims she was advised to scatter human hair around her garden

This will 100% definitely get rid of them. Hair today, gone tomorrow!

Genghis Cant

One_Of_Shanks wrote: »

This will 100% definitely get rid of them. Hair today, gone tomorrow!

I can't say if it works or not, cos I'm not a sheep farmer..... But.... A neighbour of mine keeps sheep and every spring he puts out woman's tights stuffed with a ball of hair. He says it works.
I think the local gun club have more to do with it :-)

One_Of_Shanks

Ha, sure if it works then great in fairness. I like foxes personally, I think they get a harsh deal. I'd be worried about what sort of local lads the tights might attract though
Depends what sort of hair goes in them I suppose

prinzeugen

Lion dung. Ask the Zoo but they are reluctant to give it away because of the risk of disease.

recedite

Lion dung should also be great for keeping stray cats off your property.
And hyenas.

VeVeX

recedite wrote: »

Lion dung should also be great for keeping stray cats off your property.
And hyenas.

At last, I can banish those blasted hyenas. It was nice to see them jumping around, to see them eating neighbours cats and dogs etc. but now they're bigger they're starting to mess with my hanging baskets so they have to go.

The view out my kitchen window -

One_Of_Shanks

You really need to get your lawnmower looked at Vevex. Awful uneven cut.