Experts reveal how to stop foxes coming into your garden for good: without causing harm

Trying to stop foxes from coming into your garden can seem like an impossible task. And while foxes are undoubtedly cute they can also be an absolute nuisance to your garden and any pets.

With this in mind, we consulted with wildlife experts for their most efficient and harmless methods to stop foxes coming into your garden. From using harsh lighting to cutting off any possible food source, these steps will deter the furry creatures without causing them harm, which is the ultimate goal. Even when deterring rats from your garden, there’s no need to go down the extermination route when natural solutions can work just as well.

Whether you are fed up with foxes raiding the bins and making a mess or you have a dog, like me, you might be keen to keep foxes out of your garden to save the stress of barking and commotion potentially waking the neighbours late at night – whatever the reason, try these simple steps to keep deter foxes.

How to stop foxes coming into your garden: 8 expert tricks

Foxes are a common household problem, and although harmless on the whole to humans, they can be quite disruptive and, therefore, unwelcome for most. After all, what's the point of participating in the latest garden trends to have it dug up by curious foxes?

According to our team of wildlife experts, these are the most effective ways to keep foxes out of our gardens.

1. Clear away food supplies

Gardens can be an unsuspecting yet constant source of delicious food that attracts foxes, often without homeowners even being aware – especially if you use food to attract birds into your garden.

“Like most animals, foxes are usually attracted to areas that offer a steady supply of food, so if you have fallen fruit from a shrub or nuts and seeds from a bird feeder, you may find you have foxes visiting when darkness falls," says Eric Michels, head of products for bird feeder experts Vivara and CJ Wildlife.

“The best way to make your garden less appealing is to remove these food sources, so ensure bird feeders are kept elevated well out of reach of foxes, and clear up any seed spillages or fallen fruit immediately."

This is also an important step to deterring mice from your home, even the smallest scraps will be cause enough for unwanted four-legged visitors.

2. Keep vegetable plots covered

If you're following the popular garden trend of growing your own produce it is more than worthwhile to protect your crop and ensure foxes know that it is not a constant source of food that they can visit time and time again. 

Eric advises: "If you grow your own fruit and vegetables, make sure crops are well protected with fruit cages."

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3. Avoid leaving rubbish exposed

Foxes are wild animals who scavenge for food sources, so a bag of food scraps and leftovers is like a wrapped gift for a hungry fox. Given that they can tear through a black bin bag in seconds it is never a good idea to leave any rubbish within easy access – particularly if you've just organised the fridge and have an abundance of fresh scraps to dispose of.

If you need to leave your rubbish outside ensure they are secured in sealed bins or a lockup container that prevents the temptation of an easy meal. If you make compost at home that bin could also be a tempting source for foxes and therefore would benefit from being hard to access.

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4. Keep on top of garden maintenance

“Shelter is also a key factor," says Eric. Apply the same principles of decluttering your home by making sure there are no tempting areas of clutter for foxes to seek refuge. 

While you're outside frequently mowing the lawn or cleaning the patio be mindful to keep an eye on any overgrown areas that could appeal to a fox looking for shelter 

"Gardens with mature trees or shrubs where they can hide and move around without being noticed will also make it more appealing," explains Eric. "The best way to prevent foxes from lurking in the bushes is to check the perimeter of your fence and ensure it is secure, as this should stop them from entering in the first place."

5. Uses spices to humanely deter foxes

Avoiding harsh chemicals isn't just a good idea to keep your plants healthy, but it's also in keeping with the rewilding trend. By sticking to natural deterrents, you're not upsetting the birds or insects that tend to your garden as much as you do.

“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," suggests Eric. 

"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."

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6. Shine a light to scare them off

The idea of scaring foxes feels somehow cruel but it's merely a way to show them they are not welcome on your property – it does no real harm as such. Unlike when trying to get rid of mosquitoes, bright lights are actually ideal for keeping foxes out of your garden.

“Foxes are very timid animals, so installing automatic lights will scare foxes away without causing any harm," says Eric. 

"If you spot one, simply making a loud noise will soon send them running.” Just be mindful of the time of day, the last thing you want is to disturb your neighbours in an attempt to deter foxes. 

7. Install an ultrasonic pest repellant

An ultrasound pest repellent is a special design device that emits a loud sound undetectable to the human ear but highly sensitive for certain animals, including foxes. These are also a helpful tool if you're looking to deter cats from your garden.

"There are many different types of ultrasound pest repellents. The best ones feature infrared sensors which detect motion and will activate when something enters the garden," explains Robert Collins, a pest control expert at MyJobQuote.

"Modern versions of this device also detect the animal’s body heat signature to prevent the battery from running out due to activating every time there is movement in the garden from other things such as insects or blowing leaves."

“If you do want to use fox repellents, they are available with differing effectiveness to deter them from your garden," says Sophie Thorogood, from the technical team at Pest Stop. 

"Outdoor repellents are also a way to prevent foxes from entering the garden without causing harm. The Pest-Stop Ultrasonic All Pest Repeller is an ideal, non-chemical solution that emits frequencies through powerful speakers to repel unwanted animals.”

8. Secure the pond

Deter them from feeding or drinking from ponds by covering them. "If you have a pond in your garden, it’s important to make sure it is covered with pond netting or some other material that stops foxes from being able to access it," says Robert.

"This will help to protect any of your pond wildlife from the foxes. It’s important to ensure you choose a netting with a mesh size that is small enough to prevent foxes from being able to reach through the net."

Stressing an important sustainable garden issue Robert adds: "However, it also needs to still allow other wildlife to access the water in the pond."

FAQs

What smells will keep foxes away?

Foxes are often deterred by strong odours. "Some of the most effective smells that can keep foxes away include Garlic and Chilli," explains Oliver Hill, founder of GardenList. It's the capsaicin compound found in chilli that works in particular, this is the element that gives the chilli a burning sensation – thought to be why it works on foxes. "Spraying a mixture of garlic, chilli pepper, and water around the perimeter of the garden can deter foxes."

"Also commercial fox repellents. These products contain ingredients that mimic the scent of predator animals, repelling foxes."

What do foxes hate the most?

Generally speaking, foxes dislike bright lights and loud noises, basically anything that could indicate human presence that is there to frighten them away. Why not take this as an opportunity to try out some of the most popular lighting trends in your garden?

"Foxes dislike loud noises," Oliver reveals. "Playing a radio or using motion-activated alarms can frighten foxes away. They also don't like bright lights. Sudden flashes of light or a continuously well-lit garden can make foxes feel exposed and deter them from entering."

String and unfamiliar scents are also unwelcome to foxes when they enter your garden. Oliver adds: "As mentioned earlier, scents that are unusual or associated with predators can be effective in keeping foxes out.

What scares foxes away?

Aside from loud noises and bright lights, there are several other harmless methods to scare foxes away.

"Motion-activated water sprinklers can startle foxes, causing them to flee,' suggests Oliver. "Visual deterrents is another. Objects that move, like wind chimes or flags, can be enough to unsettle foxes. Some people even use model owls or other predator birds."

Even just your presence can be enough to send the message that they are unwelcome. in your garden, this is also an effective deterrent for squirrels. "Regularly spending time in the garden, especially at dawn and dusk when foxes are more active, can make the area less appealing to them," suggested Oliver.

"Ultrasonic devices are also available for sale that emit high-pitch sounds only animals can hear," says Jordan Foster, a pest control expert at Fantastic Pest Control. You can keep foxes away in your garden by leaving a light on. Darkness is comfortable for foxes, and they avoid well-lit areas.

Does white vinegar deter foxes?

Aside from cleaning with vinegar, there are suggestions that the smell can deter foxes, but the experts are somewhat wary of its effectiveness.

"White vinegar can be used as a deterrent, but its effectiveness is variable," says Oliver. "Some foxes may be deterred by the strong smell, while others may not be affected." If you choose to use vinegar just be mindful that it can damage grass and the soil of your best plants due to acidity levels so avoid spraying when you can.

"White vinegar can be placed around the garden in small bowls," says Jordan. "These should be deterred from entering the property by the scent. However, foxes are intelligent and adaptable animals, so white vinegar will only have a temporary effect in deterring them. Eventually, they may become accustomed to the smell, especially if there is no immediate threat to them. White vinegar can be an effective deterrent, but it is best used in combination with other tactics to make your property less appealing to foxes."

Overall we'd say it's best to avoid using vinegar to deter foxes because there are better natural methods to try first.

Will a fox keep coming back?

Keeping up with these preventative measures will ensure you won't have any more repeat visitors to your garden.

Luke Dejahang, gardening expert and CEO of Crown Pavilions says, "Foxes are known to return to areas where they feel safe and can find food or shelter. If a fox has found a reliable food source or a comfortable nook where it can stay and hide, it is likely to keep coming back."

Adding, "So, by ensuring you use these preventative, yet harmless methods consistently, means that you will successfully deter foxes from your property."

We'd also recommend staying well clear of the overgrown garden trend or else the foxes might just get the wrong idea.

Once you've dealt with your fox problem, why try some of our easy ways to transform your garden on a budget? The foxes won't even recognise your garden if they ever try to visit again!