Foxy, Foxy (ii)

[caddyman]

It seems that we are going to have to take measures.

I have mentioned before that the local fox population is expanding – the dog and vixen pair (I think it’s just one pair, though recently we have seen a much larger, much darker male fox hanging about) have bred a new litter under jfs’s garden shed. In itself, I have no problem with that. I don’t mind the foxes wandering through the garden on their way elsewhere. To be honest, provided they don’t do too much digging, I don’t mind them hanging about in the garden, particularly the bottom.

But they are getting bolder; they clearly have no fear of humans and the cubs, or at least one of them, are or is getting quite adventurous.

A couple of weeks ago, there was evidence that an animal had been in the conservatory; stuff knocked over and such, but no damage. We weren’t and aren’t 100% certain that it was a fox, but the cats have been investigating since we moved in and don’t demean themselves by interacting with their environment. They like to wander in, check up on their investment and leave.

The weekend before last I noticed the male fox at the top of the steps by the patio. He saw me and sauntered off unhurriedly. A few days later, I shooed off one of the cubs as it was taking an interest in the irrigation.

On Saturday, after we had finished watching Eurovision and were suiting in the living room chatting, one of the cubs, possibly the same one, came wandering into the living room and stood under the coffee table by the conservatory door. He soon left when people advanced on him. Yesterday, however, Furtle was home early and left the conservatory door open to let some fresh air in. She was upstairs in the study, when some sound alerted he to the fact that a fox cub was in the bedroom, presumably having investigated the living room and bathroom first. She chased it downstairs where it hid under the sofa before being shooed out into the garden and out.

Now I have no desire whatsoever to injure or otherwise hurt these animals and as I say, provided they keep their distance from the house, I don’t mind them being in the garden, but I do NOT want them wandering around the house.

We have Friday off, so I am considering arranging delivery of one of those ultrasonic devices that emits a high pitched shriek (above the range of human hearing) whenever an animal gets too close. This, if it works, would seem to be the best way of making them uncomfortable without actually hurting them. Sadly, it may work on the cats, too, though if it’s outside the conservatory, they will still be able to use their alternative route across the roof. The other possibility is some sort of latticed screen that we can put in the open door that will let the air in, but stop animals.

Does anyone out there in LJ land have any experience of dealing with these sorts of thing? I want them out of the house, but I want to do it humanely.

Comments

[glassfinger]

Yep, the screen door is the way to go.

[mathcathy]

This is what's come of the hunting ban.

I never had a position on that at the time, seemed like so much emotion about not very much. Now I know that foxes have no natural predators in the UK, so over time their numbers can only increase and as humans aren't a danger to them at present, their courage will also increase. Then they will become more dangerous to our children and their will be some sort of mass cull.

Here's my prediction, FWIW.

[ellefurtle.livejournal.com]

I heard you can get some stuff you put down that smells all wrong which might put them off. Or are you supposed to wee all over the garden? I don't want to bother the cats really :(

[jul1et.livejournal.com]

the RSPCA might be able to offer some advice?

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

D'OH!

Such an obvious line of enquiry! Thanks for remaining my poor old brane! ;-)

[literaryrose.livejournal.com]

You need to get the area under your neighbour's shed blocked up, because when they know they can live there, they will return there and you will then get cubs most years. Obviously if that's where they are living, you can't do it until they leave. And your neighbour might not want to do that of course.

If you put "discouraging foxes from your garden" into google, you get a few sites talking about what you can do - it's mainly making sure you don't have food around (like for birds) etc. RSPCA have a leaflet on their site you can download.

I suppose you need to not leave your conservatory door open too?

[literaryrose.livejournal.com]

Of course, I should add I love foxes and watching them out of the window, and we have gone out and fed the ones round where we live (when it snowed), but of course it's a different situation when they are now entering the house. I hope you find a solution.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

I have emailed the enquiries address on the Fox Website, linked from the RSPCA to see if they have any humane suggestions for deterring the little buggers from coming in the house.

[bibliogirl.livejournal.com]

If that isn't the Fox Project (not having checked the RSPCA), then try there as well. It, and one other method which might not work so well for you, are both linked off http://www.gardenfoxwatch.co.uk/2011/02/discouraging-foxes/ ...

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

Hire a Tibetan cleric to live at the bottom of the garden..?

[bibliogirl.livejournal.com]

It'd be one way of keeping them out...

[jfs.livejournal.com]

Speaking as said neighbour, you've come to the same conclusion as me. They seem to be there every other year and (I guess) the vixen has a similar setup somewhere else.

It's been really cool seeing them up so close but this year is the first year that their presence there has upset my cat - he's been fine other years but a combination of him getting older and there being so many of them has lead me to believe that I need to stop them living there again once they've left.

[literaryrose.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear your cat has been distressed - that really must be upsetting. I hope you can get something sorted.

[keresaspa.livejournal.com]

I may be stating the obvious but you are close to Essex, are you not? That being the case couldn't you just get a wellard dog to chase away foxes, badgers, voles, postmen and other vermin? I believe the Akita and Alaskan Malamute are in at the moment.

[thalinoviel.livejournal.com]

Screen doors work well on insects but a fox will see it as more of a polite request than an actual barrier.

[kathbad]

Having seen the damage done by foxes to other local animals at my Dad's place (and while growing up keeping chickens and sheep), I am not at all positively disposed towards foxes. In fact that they are about the only animal I would be happy to harm for out and out population control.

Dad (and I) tried a huge number of humane options (including peeing all around the borders, jayes fluid all around the border, sonic scarers, having llamas) all to no avail.

I know that my views on fox control are unpopular, and so are best kept until all and any other options have been explored.

(Pictured is the first of the fox-fighting llamas we had)

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

Expert advice seems to be a screen door.

I would like a fighting llama, though...

[w00hoo.livejournal.com]

The Fighting Llama's is now destined to be the highschool football team in my next game...

[nortysarah.livejournal.com]

I don't know if it would work, but a child's stair gate for your patio door? They're about £20 from ikea and don't need permanent fixtures. Might be worth a go.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

Hm. Interesting thought.Ta very much...

(Get the family talking, too...;-) )

[nortysarah.livejournal.com]

Haha! Surely it's worth a go, just for that? Our cat was completely bemused by the stair gate. He could have easily jumped over it, yet he decided he couldn't and chose to cry next to it instead, until we opened it. Pathetic!