Fox

Most fox 'nuisance' experienced by people in urban and suburban areas falls into three categories; digging, fouling and noise. The challenge is to keep foxes out of your garden. The first thing to be said is that trapping the fox for relocation, or even killing it, is a waste of time and money. Without doubt another fox will soon move into the displaced foxes territory and your problems will be back. Better to deter foxes from entering garden in the first place. The best way is with suitable fencing, but there are several means outlined below in our 'How to Control' section.

How to Prevent Entry

Preventing foxes entering and fouling your garden can be a big challenge.

Prevention:

If it is possible, you should erect secure fencing right around your property to a height of about 2m and dug into the ground by about 12 inches.
In most cases it is simply not possible to make a garden fox proof and you then have to rely on less than perfect repellent devices such as Scoot and Get off my Garden.
One thing you may be able to do is to remove whatever it is in your garden that is attracting foxes in the first place. For instance, keep all refuse in wheelie bins or secure containers, don't leave food out for other animals, cats, hedgehogs, rabbits, dogs, birds, etc.
Clean up overgrown corners of your garden, foxes don't hang around where there is no daytime shelter available.

Where foxes have taken up residence under your shed or house:

First, don't try to get the foxes out until their cubs are independent.
Don't just block off a hole that you think foxes are using until you are absolutely positive that there are no foxes hiding in there.
When you know for sure there are no foxes under your shed/house, then securely block their access point with 2 inch square steel mesh or something of similar strength.
Dig it into the ground if necessary because if the fox wants to get back in there it will make every effort to do so.
Keep an eye out for new excavations and block them with bricks, stones and soil etc as soon as they appear. the foxes will soon get weary of trying and go elsewhere.