Six cheap plants that are ‘excellent barrier’ to keep foxes out of your garden & they’re a permanent solution too
ALTHOUGH foxes can be cute and welcome visitors for some, the truth is they can leave a big mess behind them.
From digging up lawns to digging through bins, foxes can cause havoc in gardens.
Luckily, you don’t need to spend a fortune to keep your garden fox-free, there are a few simple tricks to keep them out, including certain plants to keep them at bay and spruce up your beds.
The key is to think about the potential ways foxes could find their way into your garden in the first place.
According to the pros at Combat Pest Control, foxes don’t like having to move through uncomfortable surfaces, meaning dense or thorning plants are great deterrents.
This means plants including holly, gooseberry, pyracantha, blackthorn and brambles can be added to garden boarders and any other spots you think foxes could sneak in.
Rose bushes are another good option, although it should be noted they will only help once they’ve grown in properly and can spread.
And unlike potentially harmful chemical sprays, these plants are a permanent fix, as long as the plants are kept healthy.
Better yet, plants like pyracantha can be pick up from B&Q for as little as £8.99.
To keep you out of trouble, the RSPCA has issued a warning: “It’s illegal to poison foxes. The government’s Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme looks into the deaths of wildlife where pesticide poisoning may be involved.”
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 banned the poisoning of foxes and made any “unnecessary suffering” illegal.
However the RSPCA, the largest and oldest animal welfare charity in the UK, won’t capture and remove healthy foxes.
They say this could “harm the fox” and usually won’t “solve the problem.”
According to the charity, this means removing easy food sources like leftover pet food, compost scraps, and bird food.
It might seem obvious if you’ve fallen victim to a bin-raiding fox before, but you’ll want to remove any access to rubbish.
Keep plastic bags well out of the way and use securely sealed dustbins or composters instead.
Speak to your neighbours to find out if they have been feeding the foxes, and explain the situation before asking them to stop.
If you’re feeding other animals, such as birds or hedgehogs, make sure their food isn’t being left on the ground.
And if you’ve got your own fruit or vegetable crops, use fences of solid weld-mesh to protect them – don’t use flexible netting, as wildlife can get stuck and tangled in it, causing unnecessary stress and pain.
Gardening mistakes that could get you fined
Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking.
While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues.
Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research.
The gardening experts reveal: “If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. “
While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it.
“But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn.
The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO.
You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer.
Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing.
To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries
“Most of the time, it’s easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side,” they add.
“Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance.
“Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height.
“Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn’t have a problem.”
Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade.
But if it obstructs your neighbour’s view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures.
“If you’re not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you’re planning and, if there’s an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance,” advise the gardening experts.
Overhanging branches and plants: “When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour’s tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance,” reveal the pros.
However, it’s important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing.
You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don’t have permission to enter your neighbours garden.