Keeping foxes (and cats!) out of my garden?

[sandspider]

Hi all

I've had the odd fox in my garden since I moved in, and we've got along well together. But recently, they've started digging holes in my lawn (which was a bit patchy already ) and cr*pping in the holes.

Is there anything I can do to stop them doing this? I read somewhere that lion poo is supposed to scare them off, but I'm a little short of lions right now(!) and if it comes to it, I'd rather keep my garden poo free anyway! If I could keep the local cats out too, that would be a bonus...

I have the idea that human hair or male urine can keep them away, but I'm not sure where I got this idea or whether it's true? Or, does anyone else have any ideas (ideally cheap / free!) that would keep cats out of my garden altogether, and stop foxes from digging and pooing in it? (I don't mind so much if the foxes come in as long as they behave, they're quite fun to watch)

I did try searching on here, but didn't have much luck - the search engine doesn't seem to recognise the word "fox", I assume because it's too short...

Many thanks for any suggestions,

Giles

[rustylady]

I am still trying to find ways of keeping the local cats out of my garden. I don't mind Snowy who belongs to her next door and is her only companion since her husband died. One cat I can cope with, but it's all the other little b****** who just visit my garden to c**p that I dislike. Thank goodness I don't have foxes visiting as well.

[Munch]

I think you are right about the human hair and male urine bit. I ready it somewhere when researching on how to discourage foxes getting near our chooks!

I have also heard of an ultrasonic, high pitched cat deterrent, there are a few about but here is a link for you.

Buy Cat Deterrents - British Bird Lovers

Good luck x

[Pies]

If you can get some lion poo or other big cat poo from the local zoo and spread around the garden this will keep them out

[Scunny Zeb]

I have the same problem with my front yard flower beds
Every morning there are usually two or three presents waiting for me when I get up.
The only respite I get is if there is torrentual rain all night.
As its a very open area I dare not use expensive audio deterrents as they would soon be stolen.
Water jet motion detectors wouldn't go down very well with the postman etc.
Lion / Tiger poo is not an option as I want to get rid of the smell of cr@p from uder my front windows
I dont want anything unsightly as it is the front of the house where the problem is

I've tried various things that people swear by...

Pepper sprinkled all over.
Menthol/Eucalyptus oil on used tea bags scattered round the area.
Deep Heat muscule spray

I wish I knew who the owners were because I would love to return their 'property'

[milly2306]

hi
i had the same problem with cats and was told to fill a plastic bottle with water and place in the beds. i did this and have since been cat free! apparently they see their reflection and think another cat is there! xxxx

[rustylady]

hi
i had the same problem with cats and was told to fill a plastic bottle with water and place in the beds. i did this and have since been cat free! apparently they see their reflection and think another cat is there! xxxx

Tried that, and orange peel, and pepper, and proprietary (sp?) cat deterrents. Nothing works. Think I may have to get a Rottweiler.

[nomis]

I was told that Moth Balls are supposed to be good, but take care to place them where children etc cannot reach as they are toxic.

Recently I had tried emptying some of the used stray/sawdust from our house rabbits litter tray....taking the stuff that is soaked in urine and covered in rabbit pellets and this scattered on the soil seems to help. The smell does not travel as far as catpoo so does not bother me.

[FionaH]

You can buy a product containing lion poo from garden centres

[sandspider]

Thanks one and all for the advice.

I'll start by marking my territory, and then work down the list of suggestions!

Best,

Giles

[snakeshack]

shotgun

[rana]

I have found that cats tend to stay away when foxes use the garden and spray regularly. However the fox smell is very strong especially after rain but at least foxes are less inclined to cr4p everywhere. I have yet to find a deterrent that works (have yet to try the rottweiler) but for me the lesser of the evils is the fox.

[gorgeousgrower]

I keep cats off my beds by putting as much spikey stuff down as possible i.e. twiggy prunnings, skewers, short bits of bamboo cane. It all sticks up so that they can't find a space big enough without getting pricked!

It looks a bit odd in winter, but once everything has grown to cover said spikey bits, you wouldn't know they were there.

Oh, and a regular supply of stuff on upstairs window sills to lob at them should I see a little dare devil.

[Glutton4...]

My In-laws have a securely fenced rear garden, but still had a Cat problem, so they spoke to their neighbours, and they agreed to them putting carpet gripper type things along the fence tops. Now the Cats don't come in!

[quark1]

If foxes are around you could also have badgers - it is these that I have found to be the most destructive with regard to digging holes all over the place.