A fox in the garden is not always a welcome guest. We'll give you tips on how to carefully keep the wild animals away!
Why drive foxes out of the garden?
It is not uncommon for a fox to visit the garden at home. The main reason for this is the easily accessible food that can be found in vegetable patches or garbage cans. But as cute as he is - he is rarely wanted as a permanent guest in the garden. The shy wild animal is not really dangerous, but it can transmit diseases and cause damage in the garden. However, amateur gardeners can take certain measures to keep foxes out of gardens. But be careful: red foxes are under nature protection in Germany, which is why the following should be observed:
- Foxes must not be caught
- They must not be harmed in any way
- Poisoning and killing is absolutely forbidden
- Chasing a dog after a fox is not allowed
- Chasing away is okay - as long as the animals are not harmed
- Violations are punished with high fines and imprisonment
Note: A live trap can be purchased in stores, but may only be set up by people who are in possession of a hunting license.
How to keep fox away?
In order to keep foxes out of gardens, there is no need to harm them. As a rule, it is sufficient to remove the cause of the game visit. Above all, this includes possible sources of food, such as open garbage cans. It is also worth doing certain
To take measures to make gardens as "uncomfortable" as possible for foxes so that they cannot find shelter.Making food sources inaccessible
More and more foxes are roaming around the city and looking for food in gardens. This is mostly successful, because open garbage cans, but also any animal feed as well as grown fruit and vegetables serve the wild animals as sources of food. One of the most effective measures to keep foxes out of gardens is therefore to keep any food sources inaccessible:
- Do not leave animal feed lying around openly
- Set up bird food so that it is fox-proof - min. 1.5 meters high
- Always dispose of leftover food
- Close rubbish bins well and replace them regularly
- Cover the compost heap
- Remove fallen fruit from the floor
- Protect garden beds (e.g. E.g.: nets or fences)
Withdraw attractions
In the gardens at home, foxes find not only food, but also numerous attractions that keep them busy. Toys and garden utensils lying around also ensure fun and games for the wild animals. Comfortable garden loungers invite you to linger and trampolines are often an exciting attraction for the animals. It can therefore be worthwhile to always clear away small items and to set up garden furniture in such a way that it is not accessible to foxes.
Use scent notes
So that a fox can even feel himself
does not spread in the garden, preventive measures can be taken - such as the use of scent notes. The shy wild animals have an aversion to human smells, which is why they are best suited for this. In the trade there are special means (e.g. E.g.: Hukinol or Arcinol), which smell like human sweat and are therefore effectively suitable for keeping foxes away. Alternatively, sweaty clothing can also be used for this purpose. The procedure is very simple and is as follows:- Leave fox droppings and spray with the agent
- This loosens the fox's territory marking
- Soak a cloth in fragrance and hang it on a fence or wall
- Spray the rag every few days
Note: The mentioned fragrances smell very intensely and can therefore be a nuisance for neighbors. It is therefore advisable to discuss this measure with your neighbors in advance.
Light and water
Foxes are very shy and fearful to light, which is why outdoor lights are great for keeping them out of the green space. In particular in combination with a motion detector, light sources have proven to be very useful for this purpose. But be careful: Foxes are very clever creatures and can get used to the light if they notice that it poses no danger. As an alternative to light sources, there are also water sprinklers with motion detectors which, when activated, spray water in the direction of the animals.
Sounds
Not only light, but also noises have a deterrent effect on animals. This can be human voices as well as music - such as from the radio. It can therefore be worthwhile simply to leave the radio on to keep the wild animals out of the garden. Alternatively, there are special game deterrents available in specialist shops. These are equipped with a motion sensor and emit ultrasonic tones at high frequencies (up to 65 kilohertz) that humans cannot perceive. In order to scare off the animals with the help of noises, these tips are also worthwhile:
- Select radio stations with little music and a lot of talk
- Vary again and again so that animals don't get used to it
- Some game deterrents can vary the rhythm
Protect small animals
Often times, some pets have an enclosure in the garden, such as rabbits, guinea pigs or chickens. It is essential to protect these from foxes, as otherwise they are easy prey for the wild animals and attract them accordingly. A safe enclosure not only protects pets, but can also help scare away foxes in the garden. The following features ensure that the enclosure is fox-proof:
- Dig fences about 50 cm deep into the ground
- Recommended height about 2 meters
- Bend fences outwards
- Set up a fox-proof stable as a place of retreat
What to do when Fuchs is already in the garden?
Anyone who catches a fox in the act can also scare them off with simple measures. Often it is enough to shout out loud, clap or jump to the animal. If you have a garden hose close at hand, you can use it to spray in the direction of the fox - alternatively, a bucket of water is also suitable. If the animal is suspected of being injured, a ranger should be informed.
Young foxes
It is a special situation when a fox with young animals has taken up residence in the garden. In this case, the garden owner is asked to be considerate, otherwise the wild animals would leave their babies behind and they would have little chance of survival. Instead of worrying about the fox family, you should let them stay (if possible) and pay attention to the following:
- Stay calm
- Don't get too close to the animals
- Do not try to pet the foxes
As soon as the young animals are old enough, the fox family will leave their hiding place in summer and the "fox den" can be locked. Before doing this, however, it should be ensured that all animals have really left the den. For this it is worth sticking a small stick in the entrance hole and checking it in the following days. If this is still stuck vertically in the ground after several days, the cave is uninhabited and can be safely closed.
Tip: Who of the fox family z. B.: cannot offer shelter due to children or pets, the responsible forest office or the nature conservation association should be informed.
