Dissuading the Urban Fox

Latest Articles

Dissuading the Urban Fox
Page Previous 1, 2

Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own

Author

Message

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 10:22 pm Post subject:

I've got plenty of hair...and it's quite scary hair even for humans...hasn't worked yet (even though we also package it in old tights, washed of course, but still must carry scent, and nope, the little ************** still ***** all over the place, dig up stuff, and steal fruit.

But then we suspect people round here feed them and certainly we find bones brought in to the garden, which they may have looted from the bins.

I hope it's otherwise but fear a concerted effort by the plotholders will be the only effective method (eg effective fencing).

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 10:25 pm Post subject:
There must be something that urban foxes hate

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 10:30 pm Post subject:

The problem I have with stopping them just on your plot is that it means they will simply go on everyone elses, unless there is plently of other areas where they forrage. Is it fair to simply move the problem on?

Anyway, some things to remember is that foxes eat worms and I've had them dig out plants where worm rich compost is. At least check your plants when you go down to ensure the plants don't need firming in. I don't know if using bone meal would also make them dig in your plot.

Some people say the ultrasonic scarey things work, not tried them myself.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 10:33 pm Post subject:

Cab wrote:

There must be something that urban foxes hate

Hounds! Actually, if anyone has dogs would their scent scare the foxes off? Fur clippings from a pet grooming place?

I just remembered, foxes have also been in our pond and raked out some plants.

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 10:57 pm Post subject:
Treacodactyl, that may well be a plan with a hat. I pass a pet grooming place on the way to the allotment plot, so it has to be worth a go!

Lloyd

Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 11:38 pm Post subject:

I think if you have decided that you do not wish to harm the fox, but simply discourage it, then you must accept that the guy is now your intimate friend!...He is well socialised to humans in teh allotment, is not scared by our scent, has an abundant food supply, as well as warmth....Pretty much all the requirements for the foxy friendly habitat. His only predator is man and dog. Lets hope the dog clippings work, as I believe they might, otherwise, I'll lend you a rifle!

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 11:49 pm Post subject:
It's the 'official policy' that we tolerate the presence of the fox. Whether I choose to make an enemy of foxes or not, I'm not going to go hunting it down on an allotment site where the committee chooses to do otherwise.

Lloyd

Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 05 12:34 am Post subject:
Accept then, that you will suffer shortfalls in your production.

judyofthewoods

Joined: 29 Jan 2005
Posts: 804
Location: Pembrokeshire

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 05 1:20 am Post subject:
We have to accept that the territory of different species overlap and that we can't be the only ones to reap the benefits, but have to share, accept some losses. Other species have to suffer much grater losses at our hand than we do at theirs.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 05 7:00 am Post subject:
You will probably suffer less mice damage with a fox about. Some of the places he digs in our garden are probably to get to mice as I've seen the small burrows before mr fox dug a larger hole.

Gertie

Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Posts: 1638
Location: Yorkshire

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 05 7:17 am Post subject:

I've seen foxes in the field next to our horse's paddock. Foxes do pass through our allotments but up to now haven't attempted to take any hens or damage anyone's plot (well, not that I know!)

This weekend we are starting on the enclosure for the hens, we're taking their security very seriously - someone has already recommended to me to take their dog onto our plot and let it 'mark' it.

At the end of the day anything is worth a shot ('scuse the pun), I'd give the dog clippings a go, the dog parlour will probably be happy that there is someone out there willing to take away their 'rubbish'!!

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 05 7:23 am Post subject:
At this time of year the hair will also be useful for any birds on the plots.

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 05 8:56 am Post subject:

judyofthewoods wrote:

We have to accept that the territory of different species overlap and that we can't be the only ones to reap the benefits, but have to share, accept some losses. Other species have to suffer much grater losses at our hand than we do at theirs.

I can see that point. I could see it even more if people living in the nearby houses weren't feeding the foxes

gavin

Joined: 10 Feb 2005
Posts: 93
Location: Leeds, W Yorks

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 05 7:27 am Post subject:

Foxes should keep the rabbits away -

- a few losses to the foxes is nothing to what a family (?) of bunnies can do

If they are coming on to your plot, their runs should be fairly clear to see - and a good spray of (male only!) urine should dissuade them from using that run; worked for me, but if it hadn't, I'd have been tempted to use Renardine https://www.roebuck-eyot.co.uk/ - truly foul smelling stuff.

Either soak rags and hang them on sticks around your plot, or mix with sand - scroll down on this page https://www.nfws.org.uk/pro/problems.htm.

Good luck - Gavin

PS Excuse for a fine statuesque scarecrow?

judyofthewoods

Joined: 29 Jan 2005
Posts: 804
Location: Pembrokeshire

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 05 12:29 pm Post subject:

gavin wrote:

Foxes should keep the rabbits away -

- a few losses to the foxes is nothing to what a family (?) of bunnies can do

Exactly, one wouldn't expect the Rentokill man to do his job for free. I believe the fox is more benificial than damaging. I have had free range chicken in the woods, and had no problems with the fox. Neighbour's dogs is another matter

	Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own	All times are GMT Page Previous 1, 2
Page 2 of 2

View Latest Posts