| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| cab |
Dissuading the Urban FoxThere's a fox den three or four allotments down from mine, backing onto a domestic garden. We -think- that seven foxes frequent the whole site.Being in a city, the urban foxes don't fear people. Officially, we tolerate these foxes. They do some damage, but not much. Two plots down, someone lost some spuds last year, where a fox cub decided to investigate. On my own plot they've had a dig, around where I'd had a fire (must have been nice and warm). The youngsters are apparently a bugger for nicking bits of string you've tied things up with. How do I go about deterring urban foxes from playing silly buggers on my plot? |
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| joker |
A 12 G allways does the trick for me but seeing as you are in an urban area try hughs hair in stocking trick also if urinate in strategic places around the alotment this discourages them aswell | ||
| Treacodactyl |
I'll not mention that a single dog is still legal.
Do you wish to keep the foxes? If not the council should be able to help (make sure they are not simply moved). If you don't mind them on the allotment and hope they just dig someone elses ground then scent marking may help. They can be a pain by digging up fruit bushes, eating fruits etc. 
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| Gertie |
I'll try the stocking trick not sure about the urinating though - Lundy still hasn't got over the shock of me asking him to contribute to my composter!!!
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| cab |
Lethally dealing with them on an allotment plot isn't appealign to me.
One of the reasons why allotments are tolerated and even supported in urban areas is because they encourage wildlife; we declare war on the fox and we lose a lot of allies. That, and most people there (including me) don't really wish the foxes any ill. If I can find a way of dissuading them, I'd prefer that. Will the hair bag method work with urban foxes? They don't seem to fear humanity. |
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| Bugs |
I've got plenty of hair...and it's quite scary hair even for humans...hasn't worked yet (even though we also package it in old tights, washed of course, but still must carry scent, and nope, the little ************** still ***** all over the place, dig up stuff, and steal fruit.
But then we suspect people round here feed them and certainly we find bones brought in to the garden, which they may have looted from the bins. I hope it's otherwise but fear a concerted effort by the plotholders will be the only effective method (eg effective fencing). |
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| cab |
There must be something that urban foxes hate 
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| Treacodactyl |
The problem I have with stopping them just on your plot is that it means they will simply go on everyone elses, unless there is plently of other areas where they forrage. Is it fair to simply move the problem on?
Anyway, some things to remember is that foxes eat worms and I've had them dig out plants where worm rich compost is. At least check your plants when you go down to ensure the plants don't need firming in. I don't know if using bone meal would also make them dig in your plot. Some people say the ultrasonic scarey things work, not tried them myself. |
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| Treacodactyl |
Hounds! Actually, if anyone has dogs would their scent scare the foxes off? Fur clippings from a pet grooming place? I just remembered, foxes have also been in our pond and raked out some plants. 
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| cab |
Treacodactyl, that may well be a plan with a hat. I pass a pet grooming place on the way to the allotment plot, so it has to be worth a go! | ||
| Lloyd |
I think if you have decided that you do not wish to harm the fox, but simply discourage it, then you must accept that the guy is now your intimate friend!...He is well socialised to humans in teh allotment, is not scared by our scent, has an abundant food supply, as well as warmth....Pretty much all the requirements for the foxy friendly habitat. His only predator is man and dog. Lets hope the dog clippings work, as I believe they might, otherwise, I'll lend you a rifle! | ||
| cab |
It's the 'official policy' that we tolerate the presence of the fox. Whether I choose to make an enemy of foxes or not, I'm not going to go hunting it down on an allotment site where the committee chooses to do otherwise. | ||
| Lloyd |
Accept then, that you will suffer shortfalls in your production. | ||
| judyofthewoods |
We have to accept that the territory of different species overlap and that we can't be the only ones to reap the benefits, but have to share, accept some losses. Other species have to suffer much grater losses at our hand than we do at theirs. | ||
| Treacodactyl |
You will probably suffer less mice damage with a fox about. Some of the places he digs in our garden are probably to get to mice as I've seen the small burrows before mr fox dug a larger hole. | ||
| Gertie |
I've seen foxes in the field next to our horse's paddock. Foxes do pass through our allotments but up to now haven't attempted to take any hens or damage anyone's plot (well, not that I know!)
This weekend we are starting on the enclosure for the hens, we're taking their security very seriously - someone has already recommended to me to take their dog onto our plot and let it 'mark' it. At the end of the day anything is worth a shot ('scuse the pun), I'd give the dog clippings a go, the dog parlour will probably be happy that there is someone out there willing to take away their 'rubbish'!! 
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| Treacodactyl |
At this time of year the hair will also be useful for any birds on the plots. | ||
| cab |
I can see that point. I could see it even more if people living in the nearby houses weren't feeding the foxes 
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| gavin |
Foxes should keep the rabbits away - - a few losses to the foxes is nothing to what a family (?) of bunnies can do
If they are coming on to your plot, their runs should be fairly clear to see - and a good spray of (male only!) urine should dissuade them from using that run; worked for me, but if it hadn't, I'd have been tempted to use Renardine http://www.roebuck-eyot.co.uk/ - truly foul smelling stuff. Either soak rags and hang them on sticks around your plot, or mix with sand - scroll down on this page http://www.nfws.org.uk/pro/problems.htm. Good luck - Gavin PS Excuse for a fine statuesque scarecrow?
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| judyofthewoods |
Exactly, one wouldn't expect the Rentokill man to do his job for free. I believe the fox is more benificial than damaging. I have had free range chicken in the woods, and had no problems with the fox. Neighbour's dogs is another matter 
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