Gardeners are being advised to turn to an unlikely kitchen staple this winter: washing powder. Experts say it can play a crucial role in addressing a persistent seasonal issue that affects most households in the UK.
When used correctly, washing powder can help deter unwanted pest activity and protect garden areas from “collateral damage.” This simple and affordable trick provides gardeners with an effective solution that doesn’t rely on harsh chemicals. It’s particularly useful for those dealing with foxes; below, we have explored why and how to do it.
Why foxes are an issue in your garden
Foxes are most active in gardens from December to February, which is their breeding season, reported Lewisham.gov.uk. According to garden experts at Lawn Tech, foxes can cause multiple issues in your garden.
They shared: “Apart from the obvious risk to any livestock which may be living in your garden, foxes cause all manner of collateral damage too.
“This ranges from the mildly irritating things like knocking over dustbins and scattering their contents, to the madly infuriating stuff.
“This includes digging up plants and flower beds and making holes in the lawn, usually when searching for juicy treats such as Chafer Grubs in their search for snacks underneath.
“They are also known to bury stashes of excess food under lawns or outbuildings and are not known for their tidy workmanship!”
How washing powder can deter foxes
Foxes, like many other animals, tend to revisit the same spots to relieve themselves as part of their territorial marking behaviour. The resulting odours can cling to your lawns, and cleaning with harsh chemicals, such as bleach, usually only masks the smell for a short time.
Instead, experts at Lawn Tech recommend using a mixture of biological washing powder and hot water to clean the area. This breaks down the organic residues left by the waste.
Gardeners may need to repeat the process several times over a few days, but this method is considered the most effective way to remove the lingering scent.
Other preventable measures include securing your rubbish so that they cannot access food, keeping your garden clean, and tidying away items like old gardening gloves and shoes, which can smell very appealing to foxes.