Fox pee

[kittyk]

I am a big fan of foxes but when I was tidying up in the garden ready for planting my veg, I noticed that there is a strong fox pee smell in my beds and containers. I notice this every year and every year I worry that it could contaminate my veg but I never get a definitive answer to whether this is dangerous or not-always conflicting reports!

I KNOW the foxes dig around in my pots as
a.) I see them
b.) I smell them
c.) I find their buried loot-mainly whole eggs!

What to do?

[Jeanied]

Have a look at this thread, started by Nicos a while ago

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...xic_43624.html

[kittyk]

Yes-thank you-I know about zoonoses and have also read that one before on the fox website as I do rescue too. The problem is it still doesn't tell me if fox pee on my veg is dangerous in itself-it's still a mystery!

[sarraceniac]

I doubt, unless your veggies are literally being watered with fox pee, that actually eating them, as long as precautions are taken, will do a human any damage. BUT, I would wear gloves whilst gardening and especially when harvesting; make sure that all eating vegetables are well washed and rinsed (and I mean well) in plenty of clean water (especially salads); make sure that even if you like your cooked vegetables al dente that they are cooked in rolling boil water (bring the water to a rolling boil before putting in the veg).

Of course, this is not my field so I could be wrong. This is a guess. but it is an educated guess.

[kittyk]

Thanks-it is kind of what I do anyway but will wash them even more just in case!