Are foxes causing chaos in your garden? Foxes enter gardens for several reasons, mainly in search of food, shelter during the day, or a safe place to raise their young. They're also very inquisitive animals, and may simply enjoy exploring around your garden, particularly if you have interesting features like ponds or bird feeders.
Though many people are excited to see foxes, they can be a real nuisance to some. Foxes aren’t dangerous to humans and tend to keep their distance, but just like cats, squirrels and other pests, they can cause disruption in your outdoor space. Plus, if you keep livestock like chickens, a visiting fox can put them at risk. So, it's understandable if you want to deter foxes and keep them out of your garden.
Here's everything you need to know if you want to stop foxes in your garden.
Signs of foxes in your garden
First of all, how do you know you have foxes in your garden? These animals mostly work at night, so you may not spot them in person. However, you may notice a few signs that you've had a nighttime visitor, including:
- Holes: Foxes dig for food and might leave behind small holes. They can also dig small holes, called dens, under sheds or decking.
- Trampled plants: Foxes might disturb your flower beds as they travel through your garden.
- Footprints: Look for small, oval-shaped paw prints with four toe pads and visible claws.
- Scattered waste: Foxes are opportunistic scavengers and will tear into bin bags or knock over bins in search of food.
- Strong musky smell: Fox urine has a distinct musky odour used for marking territory.
- Fox droppings: Similar in size to dog poo but often darker and with a pointed end.
How to deter foxes
We'd always recommend using humane ways of protecting your garden from any pest, including foxes. In fact, it is illegal in the UK to cause unnecessary suffering to a wild animal, and any steps you take to control them must protect their welfare (GOV.UK). Killing a fox in your garden and using poisons like bleach or paracetamol could land you with a jail sentence of up to six months plus an unlimited fine.
If you've spotted signs of fox activity, don't worry, there are plenty of humane ways to deter foxes from your garden. Here's how to make your outdoor space less inviting to these nocturnal visitors.
Remove attractants
To keep foxes out of your garden, start by removing anything that might attract them. Foxes are always on the lookout for their next meal, and anything goes — even your leftovers! They're often drawn to open bins and will tear bags open to get what's inside. Remove any food sources by ensuring bins are securely closed or, even better, locked away securely in a bin store or shed. If you have a compost bin, make sure it’s sealed properly to stop foxes from detecting and accessing food scraps. To protect a compost heap, surround it with a wire mesh that keeps it contained and protects it from foxes and other pests.
Avoid leaving pet food outside overnight — this includes any birdfeeders a fox may be able to get to. If you keep fruit trees, be sure to pick up any fallen fruits.
Foxes also use droppings to mark their territory and often return to the same spots to use the toilet. To stop foxes pooing in your garden, be sure to clean up droppings quickly using gloves and a disinfectant to remove scent markers, which signal to the fox that it's a good spot to go again.
Secure your garden
The safest way to protect your garden from foxes, and protect the foxes as well, is to stop them from getting through in the first place. Foxes are agile and can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps in fences and hedges. To keep them out of your garden, inspect the area for any potential access points and fill in holes or gaps in fencing. We'd recommend a strong wire mesh that foxes can't chew through, such as a 50mm x 50mm hole welded wire mesh with a 14 gauge (2mm thick) wire.
It's a good idea to bury 30cm of the fence below the ground or use a mesh skirt. This is a piece of mesh that's laid flat on the ground along the perimeter of the fence, fixed in place with heavy duty ground pegs, which makes it difficult for foxes to dig. Did you know that they're also excellent jumpers and climbers? We'd recommend a fence that's at least 6 feet tall to stop them getting over.
If you have chickens, you'll want to take extra precautions to protect them from foxes. You can read our guide to fox-proofing chicken coops here.
Use naturally repelling scents
Foxes have a strong sense of smell, and certain scents can make your garden less inviting. Natural fox deterrents like citrus peels, coffee grounds, garlic, and chilli powder can be scattered around entry points to keep foxes at bay. Keep in mind that these deterrents will need to be reapplied regularly, especially after rain. For a longer-lasting solution, consider planting aromatic herbs like lavender and peppermint — while their scent is pleasant to us, foxes can find it overpowering.
Install motion-activated devices
Foxes prefer to move under cover of darkness and are easily startled by sudden lights or movement. Motion-activated security lights or sprinklers can be highly effective in deterring foxes from your garden. These devices activate when movement is detected, giving foxes an unexpected shock and making them wary of returning.
You can also try a motion-activated ultrasonic animal repellent. These emit high-frequency sounds that humans can’t hear but are unpleasant for foxes. Position them near common entry points or areas you're keen to protect, like vegetable patches or compost heaps, for the best results.
Keeping foxes out of your garden doesn’t have to be difficult — with a few simple adjustments, you can make your outdoor space far less appealing to them. From using natural scents and clever planting to installing motion-activated devices and securing potential food sources, there are plenty of humane, effective ways to deter these curious visitors.
Securing the perimeter of your garden and flower beds can often be the most effective method for keeping foxes out of your garden. Here at Mesh Direct, we have a range of wire mesh solutions that can help deter foxes, including strong fox protection mesh. Not sure which fencing is right for you? Get in touch and a member of our team will be happy to help.
