Animal Repellent for Foxes · Natural Fox Control · UK Advice
Foxes are a familiar sight across the UK, but when they start digging up beds, leaving droppings, creating fox holes, or damaging property, most gardeners look for safe, natural ways to deter foxes. The good news? You can discourage fox activity without harming the animals – and without resorting to chemical-laden repellents.
This guide walks you through how to get rid of foxes from your garden naturally, the best fox deterrents in the UK, what smells deter foxes, how to prevent fox holes, and how to stop foxes coming back.
Why Are Foxes Coming Into Your Garden?
Understanding behaviour helps you choose the right deterrent. Foxes are attracted to:
- Easy food sources (compost, pet food, chicken coops, food waste)
- Shelter or soft digging spots
- Water bowls or ponds
- Areas with strong territorial smells (including your pets’)
- Quiet, overgrown spaces
Fixing these attractants is the foundation of long-term fox prevention.
How to Rid Foxes From Your Garden (Humanely)
There is no single method that stops a determined fox completely, but combining multiple natural deterrents produces the best results. Experts agree on a three-part strategy:
Step 1. Remove food sources
Foxes rarely stay where there is nothing to scavenge.
- Secure bins with tight lids
- Avoid leaving food outside, including pet bowls
- Clean up dropped bird seed
- Turn compost regularly and consider using compost bins with lids
Step 2. Make the garden less appealing to shelter in
Foxes prefer quiet, sheltered corners.
- Clear dense undergrowth
- Block off raised decks, sheds, or gaps beneath patios
- Use chicken wire or mesh to block access to crawl spaces
Step 3. Use natural fox deterrents consistently
This includes smell repellents, sound deterrents, barriers, and behaviour-based tactics (full list below).
What Smells Deter Foxes?
Foxes have an extremely strong sense of smell. Certain scents interrupt their scent-marking and make them feel unsafe.
Top natural scents that deter foxes:
- Citrus peels (lemon, orange, lime)
- Garlic cloves crushed and scattered
- Chilli flakes / chilli powder
- White vinegar sprayed around entry points
- Essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, citronella
Homemade fox repellent spray recipe:
Mix:
- 750ml water
- 10 drops peppermint oil
- 10 drops citronella oil
- 1–2 tbsp chilli flakes
Shake and spray around:
- Bin areas
- Garden boundaries
- Fence bases
- Near fox holes (once filled)
⚠️ Note: Scents must be topped up after rainfall.
How to Keep Foxes Out of Your Garden (Barriers & Prevention)
Prevent digging and fox holes
Foxes dig for shelter, food, or to create dens.
To stop fox holes:
- Backfill the hole securely with soil and rubble
- Lay down heavy stones or flagging temporarily
- Use wire mesh (buried 6–12 inches deep) to prevent re-digging
Block entry points
They can squeeze through gaps as small as 10cm.
- Patch fence gaps
- Add gravel along boundaries (foxes dislike walking on it)
- Use prickly plants (holly, berberis, gorse) as natural barriers
Use motion-activated deterrents
Natural yet effective:
- Motion-sensor lights – foxes avoid sudden brightness
- Ultrasonic fox deterrents – emit a sound foxes dislike (humans can’t hear it)
- Water sprayer systems – harmless but effective startle response
Best Natural Fox Deterrents
Based on gardener reviews, wildlife groups, and professional pest-control advice, the best natural deterrents combine scent, obstruction, and surprise.
Top options include:
- Citrus & essential oil sprays
- Motion-activated lights
- Ultrasonic fox repellents
- Spiked garden mats (safe, plastic spikes that discourage digging)
- Chicken wire or welded mesh
- Vinegar perimeter spray
- Regular garden activity (foxes avoid well-used areas)
How to Repel Foxes From the Garden (Behaviour-Based Methods)
Foxes rely on scent marking. If you disrupt their territory, they often leave.
Methods to interrupt fox behaviour:
- Wash away urine marking spots with a strong jet of water
- Rotate scent repellents so the fox doesn’t become desensitised
- Remove faeces quickly (it reinforces territory)
- Change garden layout—adding pots, furniture, or raised beds confuses repeat patterns
Are Natural Fox Repellents 100% Effective?
No deterrent can guarantee that a highly determined fox will stay out of a garden, especially:
- urban areas with territorial fox communities
- gardens bordering allotments, fields or parks
- areas with chicken coops
- Success depends on layering several methods and maintaining them consistently.
When to Use Professional Animal Repellent for Foxes
If natural methods don’t work, consider:
- professionally formulated fox repellent sprays
- ultrasonic deterrent systems
- fencing supported by buried mesh
- expert wildlife-friendly advice from pest control services
Choose non-lethal options only, in line with UK wildlife laws.
Fox Deterrent FAQs
A combination of citrus scent repellents, motion lights, and ultrasonic devices works best for most gardens.
Eliminate food sources, block entry points, and use scent-based repellents.
Citrus, peppermint oil, chilli, garlic, and vinegar.
Remove attractants, use smell-based repellents, and install motion deterrents.
Yes, but they must be reapplied often, especially after rain.
Use buried wire mesh, secure coops at night, and use motion-sensor deterrents.
In Summary: The Most Effective Way to Keep Foxes Out Naturally
The most reliable method isn’t a single product, it’s combining:
✔ Removing food sources
✔ Strong smell deterrents
✔ Motion-activated or sound-based deterrents
✔ Blocking access points
✔ Consistent maintenance
This multi-layered approach offers the best chance of keeping foxes out of your garden humanely and naturally.
