I've been doing a lot of reading up on fox behaviour, the parents were bringing their Cubs to our garden to play whilst they got them food. The reason I haven't seen them so much is they are now keeping their parents timings and are more active at dawn and dusk. They are starting to be more independent now although still a family group. According to the site I've been reading, they should be living above ground now until they start looking for dens for mating season next year. So not sure why one of them has dug that den out again, but not all animals will keep to the blueprint no doubt.

It's illegal to try to move them and another fox will just move in anyway.

Yes we're fully fenced, but they can jump six foot fences and I regularly see them doing just that! Apparently if I feed them they might stop pooing all over our garden but that won't help my two boys and their stress levels!

I need to make them REALLY unwelcome and not feel safe in the garden, but that's easier said than done with urban foxes!

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Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK

Seriously, foxes can jump over a fence? Even the little babies? That's crazy!!! You mean they wouldn't do anything if your property were inundated with dozens of foxes? I am sure there are dozens of repellants that are used to keep wildlife away -- I know you are trying something. I just wish it would work. If you didn't have cats, it might not be a problem.

There is one panel that needs replacing, as it suddenly has massive holes in it. But it's not our fence, it's my neighbour's boundary. We've discussed it, and it's being replaced when Jon gets back as the neighbour is elderly and can't do it himself and I'm not strong enough to help slot a six foot fence panel in place. I think Jon will need to climb on top of the garage.

A couple of boundaries are hedging so they can easily get through those and I know my two can get under the gate so I imagine they get through there as well. Foxes can get through pretty small gaps. We have about six other properties we share boundaries with so its complicated!

You'd be amazed what these foxes can do. Last year, the mother was stood on top of a garage screaming, I think she was calling her babies. She must have jumped on a fence and up on the roof. I've seen them running along the top of fences too. They are incredibly agile!

Plus they have tunnels underground to their dens etc so access isn't a problem to a fox.

I left a fox deterrent in front of the den today. Big mistake. Jagger went in the border, I thought he'd just run away from it, but this awful wail of sheer terror started. I dashed out, he was flat on his belly not knowing what to do, so I whipped him up and then went back for the deterrent.

And there is my problem... The deterrents also terrify the cats.

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Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK

Oh no Clare! So much for it saying it does not bother cats Send it back

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Melissa

UK
Oscar - Rescue (Rascal!!!) Bengal

I was using the one I already had by the den. Not convinced by the claim the more expensive one doesn't affect cats. The frequency for the one I have states the same for cats and foxes. They both have excellent hearing so will a fox be able to hear something a cat can't?! Some of the reviews I've read weren't exactly encouraging!

Anyway, they are in early and I know jagger needs a wee as he is agitated and wants to go out. The tray for his sample is ready and waiting but he is resisting its charms. Starting to think I need to shut him the bathroom with it but he's already stressed and I can't see that would help....

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Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK

Clare, how long before Jon returns home? Are foxes a seasonal thing, maybe??? What do they do in winter? I don't know what you can do if fences and heights do not deter them. Your poor babies! This is so unfair to them, but don't know how well they would stand up to a fox. Hope you find the strength and will to survive this and just think -- more foxes next spring!!!

Jon is home two weeks today. Can't wait! It is seasonal and usually the problem has cleared by now, it's just this youngster that seems to think our garden is now his 'home'!

I've put jagger on zylkene for a bit to help his frayed nerves and I contacted the gardener today and he's going to get tucked into the border where the den has been dug out. The more activity there is in that area the less safe it will feel. There's another area it's been digging in as well so I'll have a think what to do about that once Jon is home.

The chemical deterrent isn't worth using at this time of year apparently so will save that for early summer next year as this years youngsters aren't territorially aware enough to care. The jet spray is the best deterrent from what I've read, so Jon is going to see if he can attach an extra valve to the unit so I don't get soaked with the water left in the hose once I've turned the tap off.

It's going to be a gradual thing of breaking their habit of using our garden, the only way to keep them out is to fence our garden as if it's a military base. And we can't do that in a residential area.

We've had a calm day here so far and Jagger is being more active which is good to see. Poor little lad!

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Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK

I'm guessing next spring your little fox will be looking for a mate! LOL. Definitely hope things can improve once Jon returns home. Just hate that he has to spend time dealing with this when he needs the R&R. Hate that you've had to put Jagger on medication due to this.

Its a very natural medication - just a milk protein. He seems better in himself already and I'd rather take the edge off than watch him suffer! He does seem more like his old self today. The fox situation should improve eventually but its going to take time so it felt better to help him through it a bit!

The foxes have been using our garden for many years, long before we took up residence so its going to take time to break the cycle. We always thought the previous owner hated cats (there were many cat and dog deterrents in the shed), but I think she was struggling to keep the foxes out too.

Jagger has never been so bothered before, but he only became really territorial last year.

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Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK