How to Get Rid of Foxes From Gardens

Although foxes are considered beneficial animals, they can be problematic in garden areas, especially those that are home to chickens, turkey or other poultry. They rarely damage ornamental plants or vegetable crops intentionally. Most fox intrusions can be deterred by exclusionary barriers or frightening techniques. Lethal control measures are rarely necessary and can often have unintended consequences when employed. Traps and toxicants, for example, have the potential to harm native wildlife and domesticated animals. A healthy fox population can help reduce the numbers of rodents and other garden pests.

Visual or acoustic deterrents
Wire or electric fencing materials

Instructions

- 1
  Exclude foxes from garden or livestock areas by constructing wire mesh fence barriers. Use wire mesh fencing with openings 3 inches or smaller, and extend the fence below ground to a depth of 1 or 2 feet.
- 2
  Employ electric wire fencing if wire mesh barriers prove ineffective. Space wires 6, 12 and 18 inches above the ground to deter foxes. This type of fencing can also be combined with wire mesh products for increased security.
- 3
  Use overhead fencing in problem areas, in addition to vertical fences. Many foxes can climb non-electric barriers.
- 4
  Keep garden or livestock areas clean and sanitary, and remove any rotting food, feces or decaying animal matter promptly. These produce odors that can attract hungry foxes.
- 5
  Control populations of rabbits, mice, gophers, rats and other small rodents that serve as food sources for foxes. Traps, baits and feline predators are all effective at reducing rodent populations.
- 6
  Ensure all doors, gates and other openings are securely shut at night. Foxes are nocturnal, and most predation takes place at night.
- 7
  Use frightening devices to deter fox intrusion, placed at regular intervals around garden or livestock areas. Flashing lights and noise-making devices can be effective, although some foxes may become desensitized to their presence over long periods of time. A wide variety of acoustic and visual deterrents are commercially available.
- 8
  Consider using a dog to deter unwanted foxes from garden areas. Although Great Pyrenees and Akbash breeds have successful histories as fox deterrents, any dog breed can serve as a viable deterrent if the right training is provided.

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