If you walk around the the Knollmead Allotments on a sunny afternoon, you’ll be sure to spot at least one fox, maybe even two.
Genuinely, I find them a real delight to watch as they scurry around playing, hunting and generally being fox like.
I managed to capture the footage below.
Like most things wildlife, foxes produce moments that are rare and unique.
Foxes are a great observation at the allotment, and the reason why they stalk allotments is because they’re great source of mice, vowels, pigeons and other sources food for a carnivorous diet – not to mention the food waste delights found in a compost bin.
Foxes are unique in the fact that they’re hunters as well as scavengers – which produces two main points of consideration – which I’m paraphrasing.
Pro
- Foxes will keep the rat/mice populations to a minimum. This is good because rats and mice are scavengers and are more likely to devour your produce than the fox will.
Con
- Foxes will dig and hunt for such prey, which can result in dug up flower beds, covered beds and compost bins. They’ll also go after chickens and other pieces of livestock.
It’s up to you to decide what you prefer, and whether you see them as benefit or a hindrance.
I for one don’t mind foxes walking around the plot or on site, I think it’s quite a nice thing – but I get that some people find them nuisance when they dig up flower beds.
Fox friendly deterrents
Foxes are protected under a series of wildlife protection laws against poisoning, gassing, asphyxiating, maiming, stabbing, impaling, drowning, clubbing and most forms of snaring, with anyone carrying out such acts subject to 6 months imprisonment and/or £5,000 fine per animal.
http://foxproject.org.uk/fox-facts/
- Keep your plot and garden clean of anything that might be attractive to a fox – for instance, egg shells and food waste material in the compost bin.
- Establish a more dominant scent, this can be done using clumps of hair collected from your local barber/hairdresser. Foxes foul to establish territory, so we can respond in kind if necessary. Urine is also a suggestion I’ve read online, but you’d have to think about how and when to dispense the urine 🙂
- Strategically placed mirrors in the garden is also an usual but common suggestion. Foxes will be spooked if they think they’ve gone into another foxes territory – mirrors will create this illusion.
- If there’s something you’ll think the foxes will go for, for example a compost bin, a sprinkling of chilli powder, garlic or pepper will be sure to put off the foxes.
What are your thoughts on foxes in the garden? I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below.
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