The urban pests can be a nuisance, especially in the spring, but it doesn’t mean you would want to do any harm to the creatures.
How to deter foxes
Instead, there are natural items you can find in your kitchen that could deter foxes from ruining a gorgeous garden because they “hate” the smell.
According to Shield Pest Control, “foxes hate natural ingredients”, such as chilli pepper because of its potent scent.
This everyday kitchen spice is likely already to be in your cupboard (unless you’re not a fan of spice), so it’s easy to get hold of.
If it’s not already in your home kitchen cupboard, fret not, there is another kitchen item foxes supposedly hate too – garlic.
Geoff Maynard <geoff.maynard@reachplc.com>,
Tara Fair <tara.fair@reachplc.com>,
Frances Millar <frances.millar@reachplc.com>,
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Asa Bennett <Asa.Bennett@reachplc.com>,
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Shield Pest Control noted: “Sprinkling these foods around your garden will naturally prevent foxes coming near your home and garden… There’s no need to resort to extreme measures if you don’t have to.”
Mixing chilli and garlic
For the most effective fox deterrent, boil the chilli pepper and garlic with some water, then mix it in a blender to make the fox repellant.
Spray the scented mixture anywhere in the garden and around the home as it leaves a potent smell that will repel foxes.
If you fancy a more pleasant smell, then Combat Pest Control suggested using citrus peels, such as orange or lemon peels.
Less offensive than garlic, citrus smells can be pleasant for the human nose but it still offends foxes.
Combat Pest Control stated: “Foxes do not like the smell of citrus, so placing these peelings around your garden can effectively repel them.”
Gardeners’ World testified that foxes have a “strong sense of smell” and will eat anything.
So you will need to take measures to make sure your home isn’t attractive to foxes in the first place.
This includes locking outdoor bins and compost bins, which foxes would otherwise want to scavenge through.
Once your property has been marked by faeces, the foxes are likely to come back, so it’s best to spray the citrus or garlic and chilli mixture beforehand.
If, however, you have already encountered fox droppings, then persistent action is needed.
