Foxes...

[Ocarru]

Not overly bothered about foxes as a whole...until they start bringing other peoples toys, shoes etc into your garden and then start using it as a toilet. I know that fox poo is bad news, especially when you've got kids in the garden, and was wondering whether anyone on here has got any ideas on how to keep them out?

[Liszt]

Invite the local hunt around?

[Boosted LS1]

Is fencing an option?

[netherfield]

Shotgun works best.

[robinhood21]

Boosted LS1 said:

Is fencing an option?

Possibly but, would have to be a lot higher than six foot. I have a six foot fence on one side of my garden and, the local foxes scale it with no problem.

[Mermaid]

http://www.capitalgardens.co.uk/v3/foxwatch-p-2136...

These worked for me, but you may need a few.

[Beardy10]

Wait til they start getting it on...the noise is unbelievable. I would concur on the fence, ours are 7 or 8 ft and they get in.

[robinhood21]

Beardy10 said:

Wait til they start getting it on...the noise is unbelievable.

Have to agree with that; in fact the first time I heard them at it, I thought the wife had returned.

[jim_1976]

Are they classed as vermin?? If they are surely it would be safe enough legally to do something a little "cruel" to put them off or stop them coming back!!

[eharding]

Boosted LS1 said:

Is fencing an option?

More sporting than shooting it, but less reliable than getting the hunt involved.

Foxes tend to prefer the Épée, so your best bet is a Sabre challenge.

[b2hbm]

Most foxes won't go over something 6' high, but like previous posters, there are cases of it happening. Mostly they dig underneath and for chicken fencing you generally extend the fencing about a foot into the ground. Our chicken pen is at least a foot down and the perimeter is filled with rubble to deter digging.

The way to stop them with fencing is either to stick an extension on the top of the fence, about a foot but leaning outwards at 45deg. which means they can't get over. Or old fashioned barbed wire, but then you're looking like a prison camp & not a garden.

Another way with less visual impact is an electric fence, no, not 20,000 volts, the low voltage battery types.

Personally if we started to have serious problems with them I'd go the shotgun route, it's a fit & forget solution.....

[Fatboy]

A couple of these should do the job:

[Duke Thrust]

eharding said:

Boosted LS1 said:

Is fencing an option?

More sporting than shooting it, but less reliable than getting the hunt involved.

Foxes tend to prefer the Épée, so your best bet is a Sabre challenge.

[Bill]

^^

It does take quite a lot to foil foxes though. I'm not sure why but the one we have in the garden isn't stting all over the lawn any more, I'm not sure one of the neighbours cats hasn't claimed our garden for itself as the cat st's stopped too.

[Tampon]

For a quick fix you can piss around your garden, but that will waer off quickly.

A longer term option is to ask you local hairdressers for some sweepings, stick them in some tights and hang them around you fence.

OR, best option, get a sod off dog and keep him in kennel outside.

[Ocarru]

Cheers everyone, I knew I could rely on the PH collective for a few carefully considered ideas...

SWMBO is insisting that any solution my be humane so that rules out any rapiers, sabres, bayonets, bows and arrows or shotguns...

One of those ultrasonic type things seems to be a good idea, so I might try a few of those.

Any other ideas, keep 'em coming before the foxes start getting amorous

[RizzoTheRat]

Mermaid said:

http://www.capitalgardens.co.uk/v3/foxwatch-p-2136...

These worked for me, but you may need a few.

I bought one of the cheaper Big Cheese ones of these and it's crap (the sensors rubbish so it either doesn't work at all or flattens the battery in one night) so don't bother trying for a cheap option. The Scarecrow is supposed to be one of the better deterants on the market but not tried it myself http://www.electricfence-online.co.uk/shop/animal-...

[koolchris99]

ultrasonic doesnt work.. i suggest 20 bore