For this post, I have put together a collection of the best fox deterrents currently available along with top tips to keep foxes out of your garden. See all my top picks for the best humane animal deterrents.
Got pigeon problems? See my top pick for the best pigeon deterrent.
Our Top Picks
- Best Fox Repellant Spray: Defenders Jet Fox Repellant Spray
- Best Fox Ultrasonic Fox Deterrent: Volador Ultrasonic Fox Deterrent
- Best Fox Deterrent for Digging: Defenders Prickle Strip Dig Stopper Fox Deterrent
- Best Artificial Scent Fox Deterrent: Scoot Fox Deterrent
Show Today’s Top Deals
These are today’s top deals and bestsellers for portable fire pits.
Foxes coming into your garden is a common issue, particularly in UK urban areas.
While some people love foxes, they can become a serious issue when they visit your garden.
They can cause a mess, dig up your lawn and chew through your plants and flowers.
In this exhaustive guide I’ll show you:
- Review and ratings for the best fox repellents on the market that are humane and effective.
- Handy tips on keeping foxes out of your garden in the first place.
- Tell tale signs if you think you are receiving fox visits.
- Answers to your frequently asked questions on foxes and how to deter them.
Let’s start with my list of the the best fox deterrents.
Defenders Jet Fox Repellant Spray
- Motion activated jet spray to deter foxes in your garden.
- Coverage area of up to 10 metres and you can adjust the height of the sprinkler.
- Flexible for use in garden protecting lawn, pools, flowers and ponds.
- No use of chemicals or alarms but do need a water supply.
- Not only protects from foxes but also herons, cats, rabbits, deer, squirrels and other wildlife from garden and pond areas humanely, without causing them harm.
- Read buyer reviews scoring an average of 4 out of 5 from 819 purchases.
Volador Ultrasonic Fox Deterrent
- Works by emitting ultrasonic sounds and displaying flashing LED lights to ward off foxes.
- Solar panel at the front allows this to device to charge itself in the sun.
- Detection range is approximately 30 feet.
- Infrared sensor angle is 110 degrees.
- Range and sensor angle makes this suitable to small to medium sized gardens.
- Also works for other animals such as cats, pigeons, rats and dogs,
- Read buyer reviews from 126 ratings. Approximately a third of buyers give it 5 stars but an equal number give it 1 star.
Defenders Prickle Strip Dig Stopper Fox Deterrent
- Designed to protect garden areas from digging such as plant beds, lawns, flower beds and vegetable gardens.
- You install the mesh rubber strip and it can be cut according to required size.
- They are placed just below the soil whilst not being seen and still allowing plant growth.
- Humane approach as the fox paws come into contact and stops them digging.
- Includes 2 metres x 28 cm strip.
- Read buyer reviews from 1,426 ratings.
- Given the relatively low feedback on many fox deterrents this one scores very well.
- 78% of buyers give it 4 stars or more out of 5.
Scoot Fox Deterrent
- This works by creating an artificial scent that makes the fox thinks your garden has been marked by another animal – and then stays away.
- Includes 2 x 50g sachets covering an area of 34 metres squared.
- You mix it with water and it can be applied with a watering can or spray bottle.
- You can then spray it practically anywhere including driveway, garden, flower beds and shrubs.
- Read buyer reviews from 789 ratings.
- Mixed reviews scoring 3.4 out of 5. Doesn’t work for everyone but 34% of buyers give it 5 stars.
Aspectek Predator Eye Solar Fox Deterrer
- This product aims to deter a fox by giving them the impression another animal is watching them.
- Powered by solar power that give 30 days on a single charge.
- Suitable for all weather conditions and as waterproof.
- Detection of up to 500 yards.
- Only works at night.
- Read buyer reviews from 675 ratings.
- Pretty good reviews with 62% of buyers giving it 4 or more stars out of 5.
Fox Deterrent Deals & Today’s Bestsellers
How Do You Know If There Is A Fox In Your Garden?
- Pungent, musky odour.
- Fox smell in your garden.
- Trampled plants.
- Dug up flowerbeds.
- Holes in the lawn.
- Animal droppings.
- Chewed up items like toys or shoes.
- If you have fruit bushes or trees you may come across half-eaten fruit.
- Damage to garden items like hose pipes, wire mesh and fences.
- Rubbish/refuse strewn across the garden.
- Dug up lawn.
8 Reasons Why Foxes May Be Visiting Your Garden
If you can work out why foxes may be visiting your garden then you have more opportunity on how to prevent it.
1. Water Source
Foxes need a consistent water supply and will be well aware of all the various sources of water in their territory.
If you have have a pond, fountain, solar water feature or pool in your garden you may well receive visits from thirsty foxes as this could be considered a reliable source of good drinking water.
If you can make access to the water more difficult, this will make the fox have to work harder.
Depending on how easy it is for them to access alternative sources they may well give up on yours!
How you make it more difficult will depend on what water feature you have.
For example for our pond you may look at protective netting or simply blocking off any water access with tall plant pots.
2. Feeding Other Animals
Providing food for wildlife is a lovely idea but if you are feeding other animals you’ll only be inviting foxes in.
There are ways and means to still feed certain animals but not give a food pass to the local fox population.
For example, if you are leaving food scraps out for birds, then think about what and how you are feeding them.
The best way is to install a bird feeding station and presenting the bird with non -meat, bird feed.
Bird specific food will provide everything the bird’s diet needs but without giving off strong odours that other food (such as meat) entices the foxes to.
This kind of bird feed will also help prevent visits from other unwelcome creatures such as mice and rats.
If you go for a hanging feeder, it will be out of reach as a target for many domestic cats.
3. Feeding your dog or cat outside
If you have a dog or cat you’ll know how pungent smelling their pet food is.
And given how powerful a fox’s sense of smell is you can imagine how attractive it might be to any local foxes.
A lovely, smell meal all prepared in a bowl for them!
It will depend somewhat on how quickly or thorough a job your pet does on their food when left outside.
If they tend to leave some then keep an eye out and be sure to cover it up or bring it in.
Also be aware of leaving food uncovered inside the house if you have a cat flap.
Foxes can get particularly brazen late at night, and the temptation of a meal on the other side of a cat flap can often prove too enticing.
Cover the food (or make sure’s finished) or lock the cat flap.
Discovering a fox inside can be a frightening experience – particularly for your cat!
4. Easy To Access Garden
How easy is it for a fox to currently enter your garden?
This could be through a hole in the fence, via a flat roof or over a wall.
If you can secure any likely entry points this will give you a fantastic opportunity to influence a fox from trying to enter your garden.
So whether you fix up that fence, install some plastic spikes or arrange your pot plants you are making it more difficult for a fox to come in.
They may simply visit another garden that is far easier to access.
5. Hiding Places Like Sheds or Decking
Foxes are always looking for safe places to live, and hide on the first sign of potential danger.
Of particular interest to foxes will be potential dens like semi-permanent wooden constructions. These can include sheds or the areas below any decking.
Get inside the mind of a fox and block up or remove anything you think a fox might be able to hide in or behind.
Once they’ve chosen a place for a den, and particularly between November and February, they will be looking for somewhere private and comfortable to raise cubs.
If your garden is a bit of a mess or has any heavy undergrowth then it’s a first stop to try and remove these.
6. Open / Freshly Turned Soil or Flowerbeds
Older foxes love to feed on worms and grubs for a tasty and nutritious snack.
So any easier opportunity to get to the soil is appealing.
This can include flower beds, vegetable patches, seeded areas or even potted plants.
You may also notice more digging the morning after a night of rain – the combination of softening up the soil and worms coming to the surface can be too temping for an adult fox.
And you’ll find fox pups will also do some digging though that’s usually just for practice!
7. Natural Fertilisers
Many natural fertilisers contain bonemeal, blood or fish – all delicious meals for your local foxes.
Although they contain essential nutrients your plants require (such as potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus) they can give off a strong dead animal type scent that is absolutely delicious to a fox. Your human nostrils may be completely oblivious to this!
One way round this is to switch to a plant based fertiliser or even a seaweed based one.
8. Things Left Out At Night
You may have enjoyed a lovely day relaxing in the garden and can’t quite be bothered to bring everything in.
Perhaps you leave out some children’s toys or a pair of shoes.
Fox cubs are particularly curious creatures and pick up on these strongly scented items and love to chew and practise hunting with them.
Adult foxes may go as far as urinating or defecating them. Neither are particularly nice to find when you collect your items in the morning.
It’s best to take everything in the night before and prevent that temptation for foxes.
I hope this list of the best fox deterrents and how to get rid of foxes guide was helpful.
If you think I left any out that should be included or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Dominic
