7 Ways to Reduce What Attracts Foxes to Your Yard

Foxes can be a nuisance to any garden, especially when they start digging in flowerbeds and planter boxes. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make your garden less attractive to these animals and prevent them from visiting again.

1. Remove fox food from your yard.

Whether you are a regular birdwatcher or have simply decided to feed your birds by throwing scraps out onto your lawn, foxes can be attracted to your property due to the food. This includes leftover cat or dog food, dead wildlife, poultry litter, and even garbage in your bins.

2. Switch to a plant-based fertilizer.

Fertilisers containing animal products like blood and bone are extremely appealing to foxes, so switching to a plant or seaweed-based fertiliser will stop them from being attracted to your garden. You can also purchase products from garden and hardware stores that will repel foxes from your yard.

3. Protect your entry points.

Foxes are creatures of habit and they usually enter your yard at the same point every time. Mending a broken fence, installing plastic spikes [aff] along ledges or making sure you have some kind of spiky potted plant in the way are all ways you can make it more difficult for them to get into your garden.

4. Keep your bushes and fruit trees healthy.

If you have fruit bushes in your garden, such as blueberry, raspberry, or blackberry bushes, then it is important to maintain them well. If you do have a fox in your area, it may be attracted to these plants because they produce sweet fruits that foxes enjoy.

5. Protect your pond and fountains.

Keeping your pond and fountains clean and free from debris is essential to prevent foxes and other wildlife from using it as their favourite place to hide. You can install a fence around the pond or use a small gate to close off its entrance.

6. Put out fresh bait regularly.

When you put out fresh bait in your yard, it is best to do so at the same time each day. This helps to ensure there isn’t any old bait sitting around which could attract other pests, including foxes and rats.

7. Don’t leave a fox den out in the open for long periods.

If you notice a fox den in your garden, it is likely they are using this space as a denning spot for their young cubs. This can be an extremely unpleasant situation for you, but the den will eventually disperse once their young have grown up.

8. Clean up any leftover food.

If a fox has become used to your garden and eats the same type of food you put out, it can start pooping on your yard and urinating on it. This can be a particularly frustrating situation, but cleaning up any food left in your yard can make it more difficult for them to come back again.

9. Avoid feeding them.