Urban foxes are becoming a growing nuisance for British garden owners, but wildlife experts reveal simple kitchen ingredients can humanely deter them without causing harm.
Foxes: A Common Urban Sight
Foxes are becoming an increasingly troublesome presence for British homeowners with gardens. Studies reveal that the red fox was the most frequently spotted wild creature across the UK last year, alongside rabbits. Over the past 25 years, foxes have established themselves in 91% of the UK's urban zones that were formerly thought unlikely to support few or any foxes whatsoever. If you're a householder or tenant with outdoor space, these figures may come as little shock.
According to British wildlife bodies such as the Woodland Trust and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, the adult spring population sits at approximately 240,000 adults, which swells each April and May with the arrival of around 425,000 cubs. Specialists have also observed how foxes are displaying growing confidence in built-up areas as they become increasingly accustomed to human presence.
How to Deter Foxes Humanely
So how can folk aim to keep these creatures away from their gardens without causing them harm? There are several approaches people can adopt, and one involves using basic kitchen staples most households probably already possess. Gardens can provide a continual source of appetising food that draws in foxes, particularly if you put out feed to attract birds to your outdoor area.
Eric Michels, who is head of products for bird feeder specialists Vivara and CJ Wildlife, has advice for those who wish to discourage foxes while still welcoming birds. Foxes possess an exceptionally keen sense of smell. Steering clear of harsh chemicals, while maintaining healthy plants, also aligns with the rewilding movement. Opting for natural deterrents means you won't disturb the birds and insects that frequent your garden.
Spices That Repel Foxes
According to Eric, sprinkling spices in areas where you want to keep foxes away can prove effective in repelling them. Speaking to Woman & Home, he said: "If you're still seeing evidence of unwanted visitors at night, then you can humanely deter foxes by sprinkling certain spices around the perimeter of your outdoor living space. Spices such as cayenne pepper, peppermint and garlic, as the smell will put them off. You can also infuse the spices in boiling water, and then spritz around the garden as an additional repellent."
Other Simple Measures
There are also some more straightforward measures people can take to keep foxes at bay. These include removing food sources, covering your vegetable patch (if you have one), ensuring rubbish is not left exposed and keeping up with general garden upkeep.
Oliver Hill, founder of plant tracker app GardenList, concurs that these garden pests have an aversion to pungent smells. He said: "Some of the most effective smells that can keep foxes away include garlic and chilli. Spraying a mixture of garlic, chilli pepper and water around the perimeter of the garden can deter foxes." It is apparently the capsaicin compound found in chilli that foxes particularly dislike.
