How to get rid of foxes in your garden safely after the RSPCA issues warning to homeowners
FOXES are a common sight in Britain, both in our beautiful countryside and inner-city suburban areas.
They’ve been named by the RSPCA as one of our most popular wild mammals, loved by many for their sweet faces and curious nature.
But not all homeowners are thrilled at the prospect of a new foxy lodger in their garden.
The bushy-tailed creatures are known to rummage through bins, dig holes, become vocal at night and use your lawn as an en-suite.
Which is why some homeowners may wish to get rid of them.
But beware – not all methods of fox-deterrent are acceptable, and some could even land you in hot water with the law.
To keep you out of trouble, the RSPCA has issued a warning: “It’s illegal to poison foxes. The government’s Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme looks into the deaths of wildlife where pesticide poisoning may be involved.“
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 banned the poisoning of foxes and made any “unnecessary suffering” illegal.
However the RSPCA, the largest and oldest animal welfare charity in the UK, won’t capture and remove healthy foxes.
They say this could “harm the fox” and usually won’t “solve the problem”.
Instead, they’ve recommended these non-harmful methods of deterrence…
Remove food sources
It might seem obvious if you’ve fallen victim to a bin-raiding fox before, but you’ll want to remove any access to rubbish.
Keep plastic bags well out of the way and use securely sealed dustbins or composters instead.
Speak to your neighbours to find out if they have been feeding the foxes, and explain the situation before asking them to stop.
If you’re feeding other animals, such as birds or hedgehogs, make sure their food isn’t being left on the ground.
Keep any pets (like rabbits or guinea pigs) inside or in a secure enclosure overnight.
The charity recommends the enclosures have a lockable door with a “solid roof and floor” and sides made from “weld-mesh fencing” – they warn against using chicken wire.
If you’re green-fingered enough to have fruit-bearing trees, make sure you’re picking any fallen fruit up from the lawn.
And if you’ve got your own fruit or vegetable crops, use fences of solid weld-mesh to protect them – don’t use flexible netting, as wildlife can get stuck and tangled in it, causing unnecessary stress and pain.
Remove shelter spots
The charity recommends deterring foxes by getting rid of any potential shelter spots for them.
These spots could include long grass, weeds or overgrown plants where the foxes might choose to rest during the day.
Simply cut or prune these areas back to prevent the fox from settling there.
Make sure you’re keeping your garage, greenhouse or shed doors securely shut and locked, to prevent any foxes setting up home.
Foxes love to build dens underneath sheds or decking areas, so make sure these are properly blocked off – but always make sure to check that the den isn’t being used first.
Other methods
Keep an eye out to identify the areas where the foxes are getting into the garden – then you can target these specific spots.
Try fencing (checking with neighbours first) or a defensive hedge around the border of your garden to make access more difficult.
Try an animal repellent that has been specifically approved for use against foxes – don’t use any substance that hasn’t approved as this could cruelly cause pain to the animal and land you in trouble.
The charity says: “If a fox is removed from the garden, but the environment stays the same, then other foxes will move in to take advantage of the empty territory.
“If you can remove whatever was attracting the fox – such as food sources or shelter – then this fox will leave, and other foxes won’t move in.”
Gardening mistakes that could get you fined
Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking.
While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues.
Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research.
The gardening experts reveal: “If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. “
While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it.
“But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn.
The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO.
You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer.
Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing.
To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries
“Most of the time, it’s easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side,” they add.
“Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance.
“Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height.
“Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn’t have a problem.”
Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade.
But if it obstructs your neighbour’s view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures.
“If you’re not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you’re planning and, if there’s an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance,” advise the gardening experts.
Overhanging branches and plants: “When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour’s tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance,” reveal the pros.
However, it’s important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing.
You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don’t have permission to enter your neighbours garden.