How to keep foxes, but not cats, out of my garden?
Posted by jamawg@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 51 comments
Mid-terrace London house, small garden. They have already dug holes. This morning, two came into the back of the house and the cat was caught between them. I don't want them harmed, but I do want them gone. If recommending sprays or the like, please give a brand name. And, nothing that will harm or upset the cat, please.
tmstms@reddit
Cats and foxes usually get on fine.
Exact_Setting9562@reddit
We have sheep fencing inside our hedges just so our rescue dog doesn't get out.
I've cut out a few links to help the cat get in and out but it's too small for the foxes. Pity really as I enjoy seeing them.
You'll need a fencing company to install.
VerbingNoun413@reddit
You're telling me sheep fenced your hedges.
Exact_Setting9562@reddit
I wish ! I could have paid them in grass !
jamawg@reddit (OP)
Alas, the trees & bushes which border the garden on all side would pose a problem. And the foxes would probably just tunnel under the fence.
Exact_Setting9562@reddit
Well they've not tunneled under mine. I have known them to come over the 5 foot fences before though. I thought it was my cat returning. I don't know who got the bigger shock. Me or him.
zone6isgreener@reddit
They hate the smell of Jeyes fluid.
Neddlings55@reddit
Toxic to both foxes and cats.
zone6isgreener@reddit
They aren't going to drink it.
Neddlings55@reddit
You know animals groom themselves, right? Especially cats.
It can also be absorbed through the skin.
Phenols are highly toxic to cats.
zone6isgreener@reddit
Again they aren't drinking it.
Neddlings55@reddit
If they get it on themselves, it will be absorbed through the skin, and ingested when they groom.
They dont need to drink it.
It can even cause issues for cats simply being inhaled.
zone6isgreener@reddit
If it's been painted on fence panels then the risk is so miniscule it couldn't be measured. The cat's biggest risk is cars.
jamawg@reddit (OP)
We don't get cars in the garden. Just foxes.
zone6isgreener@reddit
Cats don't just stay in gardens.
Neddlings55@reddit
Its still a risk.
Not to mention the OP specifically stated they didnt want to harm the foxes, or harm or upset the cat.
Intentionally putting down a known toxic disinfectant is doing just that. If the smell is going to deter foxes, its going to be highly unpleasant for cats too.
zone6isgreener@reddit
Everything is a risk including the cat being outside, which is thousands of times more risky.
Akitapal@reddit
But they can get it on their paws and then try lick it off.
zone6isgreener@reddit
Not if you spray it on fence panels where foxes are digging.
Akitapal@reddit
As long as no lawn or plants there else those will be damaged by any runoff or spray droplets
zone6isgreener@reddit
Not really. It's a very old product used by gardeners albeit no longer coal tar as the formula was changed. Plus it's possible to brush on.
gold_rig@reddit
A lot of people swear by having a wee in the garden
jamawg@reddit (OP)
I looked into that. Seems that it works, for a while, until it rains, or they get used to it
KarateGirl1021@reddit
I read it has to be a man’s wee. My partner does this and scatters it around our front door to stop the foxes coming too close because we also have cats.
jamawg@reddit (OP)
I looked into that. Seems that it works, for a while, until it rains, or they get used to it
rmulberryb@reddit
Cat owners scare me
Sea-Still5427@reddit
I used to do that. Ideally you want male early morning wee. Put it in a bottle with some garlic and let it ferment for a few days, then spray or dribble it around gateposts and any entry point to the garden. Reapply regularly and after rain. Also obviously remove any food sources.
My experience was it kind of works, but your garden stinks of garlic wee in hot weather, so I gave up.
gold_rig@reddit
I want to get rid of my foxes. But fermented garlic piss is not happening, sorry
Sea-Still5427@reddit
Can't say I blame you. It was a very small garden too.
ExiledWiganer@reddit
Are you taking the piss ?
raguff@reddit
Giving it I think?
gold_rig@reddit
No you just leave it there
Guerrenow@reddit
Have you even tried to discuss this with them?
jamawg@reddit (OP)
I tried throwing a shoe at them, like in old timey cartoons
(you have to imagine that those cats are foxes :-)
swoopstheowl@reddit
You can't expect people on Reddit to actually talk to their foxes, we're not all a bunch of Dr Doolittles.
Guerrenow@reddit
True, most people on Reddit struggle with humans, never mind foxes
Brian_from_accounts@reddit
I’ve placed a Post-it note inviting discussion from some rather wayward ants.
RafRafRafRaf@reddit
Cat proof the garden. Cat can roam garden safely, no foxy visitors, sorted.
It’ll cost you an amount which looks scary but is less than half the average bill for any injury requiring admission to a vet hospital… (said injury is more likely to come from traffic or fighting than from the foxes, but happily, this solves all 3!).
jamawg@reddit (OP)
How to do it, and how much does it cost?
Seems like I would have to dig up the entire garden, including trees, put down wire mesh, then replace the earth, plants & trees.
Also, the cat is free to roam, but will never, ever, ever, leave the garden. At least, he hasn't for 10+ years, as he has only a stump of a tail, which seems to cause balance problems, so he won't even jump onto a kitchen counter. Fences are far too hight for him to even contemplate.
RafRafRafRaf@reddit
It’s usually about a grand - but actually if your boy doesn’t climb trees/fences then it’s probably going to be much easier than that - just a row of anti climb netting at the top and some chicken wire stapled on with something good and heavy holding it down at the bottom. (Important - leave hedgehog holes, at least one each side. It won’t let the fox in or the cat out.)
martzgregpaul@reddit
Foxes dont really climb as well as cats so high fences/walls and gates (and blocking any ground level entrances) is your best bet. Also make sure theres no food for them there. Secure bins, dont throw anything very smelly in them without double bagging it, and NO CAT FOOD OUTSIDE.
I tried a lot of fox deterrents. They might work once but Foxes are clever. None of them kept working. The chemical ones were useless especially and the ultrasonic one i swear the little bastards enjoyed. Apparently automatic water squirters are best but i dont have room for them (and they will get the cats too)
Madyakker@reddit
They absolutely do climb as well as cats. My brother has 6.5 foot fences and regularly wakes up to juvenile foxes playing in the garden.
martzgregpaul@reddit
They jump rather than climb though and can jump 6ft no problem. Mine are nearer 8ft and the catscan get over but the foxes cant
Madyakker@reddit
I thought 6 feet 6 was the maximum height for a garden fence?
martzgregpaul@reddit
New ones yes it is. Ive really high old victorian brick walls and filled in the gaps with fences of same height
StereotypicallBarbie@reddit
It’s expensive but worth it. Cat proof fencing.. your cat is safe in their own garden, and foxes and other cats can’t get in!
I had in installed to keep my elderly cats from wandering, but it has also served as a good way to keep the foxes out! I mean the dog was doing that on her own anyway.. but dogs are significantly more of a commitment than the fencing!
jamawg@reddit (OP)
How to do it, and how much does it cost?
Seems like I would have to dig up the entire garden, including trees, put down wire mesh, then replace the earth, plants & trees.
Also, the cat is free to roam, but will never, ever, ever, leave the garden. At least, he hasn't for 10+ years, as he has only a stump of a tail, which seems to cause balance problems, so he won't even jump onto a kitchen counter. Fences are far too hight for him to even contemplate.
StereotypicallBarbie@reddit
You can install it yourself probably? I ended up getting a fencing company in. But YouTube have tutorials on pretty much everything and if you’re handy? Could probably do it yourself much cheaper! You could just raise it with trellis if your cat is not into roaming.. but that won’t keep other cats out! Foxes it will though just make sure there’s no gaps.
Darkgreenbirdofprey@reddit
Wee
jamawg@reddit (OP)
I looked into that. Seems that it works, for a while, until it rains, or they get used to it
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