There are two sorts of Fox Fencing that we have tested; a battery driven fence and a mains driven fence. Each type delivers a high voltage non lethal discharge through wires placed at 12.5 centimetres and 22.5 centimetres from the ground, suspended on dark green plastic posts. Both systems work equally well but we prefer to install the mains driven variety simply because one then avoids the need to consider recharging the battery at intervals – although this is only possible if you have an accessible (circuit breaker protected) outside 3 pin point.

The prices range from £425 plus Vat to £675 plus Vat and we can be more precise about this after we have completed a survey. These prices include one ‘after sales’ visit to check that all is working properly. Further visits if required are £38 plus Vat per visit.

We’re looking at other alternatives, which you may indeed like to try yourself, including ultrasonic devices, (like this one: Fox Repeller FoxWatch) that emits a noise at a frequency that will distress the fox, and various sprays and scent repellents, and even a water spray “scarecrow”  (Water Pest Repeller) that has a motion sensor and a water jet attachment. (This will of course have the added benefit of watering your lawn!)

Foxes mark their territory with faeces which is why one will some times see faeces on fences, walls and compost heaps as well as on lawns and flower/vegetable beds. Fox faeces is a bio hazard and contains a number of pathogens and other risks to human health. It should be removed very carefully, preferably with disposable gloves.

Foxes can be trapped (but not poisoned or gassed) and then dispatched humanely. (It is against the law to release urban foxes into the countryside). Trapping is a short term solution only; a territory once left empty will soon be re-occupied by another fox family and trapping services are usually expensive, typically anything between £250 and £500 per visit. Shooting, although allowed by law, is not usually an option for most people.

So what to do……?

Ideally one would want to keep foxes out of one’s garden before they become established and we have been working with a manufacturer to provide a non lethal fox deterrent which had proved very successful in a countryside environment.

The deterrent is an electric fence which delivers a non lethal but high voltage discharge. It has a low profile, can be either mains or battery driven and need be in place for only a matter of a month or two after which time it can be removed until foxes, usually different ones, start revisiting when it can be reinstalled again, once more for a short period. There is no ‘once and for all’ solution and the fence will need to be deployed every so often if you are in an area troubled by foxes but it will mean no fox digging, no faeces and no hazards to children and pets.

There are over ten thousand urban foxes in the London Metropolitan Area so one can see the size of the problem and why foxes present no easy solution.

Following our own extensive testing, we can now confirm that the system works extremely well in an urban setting. We have also trialled a version for badgers which also works very well, and anecdotally we’re told that squirrels have apparently also been deterred in gardens where this is installed.

So if you are interested in the system please give us a call on 0800 0612606.

This autumn we seem to be experiencing a lot of grub activity in our lawns.  It’s impossible to tell if you have an infestation just by looking at the grass – the grubs live amongst the roots. The easiest way to tell is from animal damage, this either comes in the form of:

1. Birds (generally large strong birds like crows) pecking at the lawn repeatedly so that little tufts of grass are lifted out and discarded all over the lawn.

2. A large amount of small holes dug to a depth of about 1-2 inches by foxes (Yes, foxes are omnivores and they eats grubs as well!)

3. If you’re really unlucky you will have badger damage where the animals peel back the turf in large patches to access the grubs underneath.

The two most common lawn grubs are chafergrubs and leatherjackets (pictured in that order):

These are in turn crane fly larvae or chafer beetle larvae. Unfortunately, these animals are creatures of habit and once they have decided that they like your lawn the problem will return as they will lay eggs in their own breeding ground.

We do however have some very effective treatments that have a long lasting effect, so if you are in our area then just give us a call if you are at all worried and I will be happy to come and have a look.

Tradition has it that the best tool for dispersing worm casts is a besom broom, but any brush or even a rake will do.