Fox has almost broken my spirit today - long sorry

[1066]

Wishing you well, it must be so dispiriting to see your hard work litterally dug up.

and lets hope the men on the plots rise to the sense of occasion  ;D

[1066]

[Kleftiwallah]

I'm glad to hear you haven't given in to the fox.    ;D   Cheers,   Tony.

[luckycharlie]

    Sorry to hear about your problems with the fox. I got some mothballs from Ebay if that helps

   X Chas

[SamLouise]

Crystalmoon, whereabouts are you (you don't have to say exactly) Perhaps you are near enough that some other members might be able to help?  I'm in West Essex and I'm happy to pop over a lend a hand if you're not too far away (you can PM me if you think we might be close enough) and I'll see if I can get the OH to oblige with the deterrant issue, LOL!

[Crystalmoon]

Thanks everyone for all your replies, the support & understanding on here has had alot to do with me not giving up as i really was feeling at rock bottom....Im so determined now to keep going that I have been to my lotty in the rain today which I never do as rain makes my arthritis especially painful.
Ive checked & no damage last night even after I planted out some squash plants yesterday using fresh compost in holes dug into the rock hard clay! I even used blood, fish & bone but buried it deeply & covered with comfrey leaves to try to disguise the smell.
i have sprayed citronella around the raised beds as I read foxes dont like it on one of the specialist sites. The rain may well wash it away but as the fox has an acute sense of smell I hope enough will linger for tonight. I cant keep using it though as insects dont like it either & I want my stuff pollinated. But for now it will do.
Thanks Chas I will take a look on Ebay for the mothballs.
It seems that the best detterent for foxes is a device called a 'scarecrow' that shoots water at them as they pass by but at £60 plus it is way out of my price range.  

[lewic]

I sympathise, have had a few things dug up by foxes but not on the scale you have suffered. I think your lottie neighbour may have been trying to cheer you up by suggesting you order online [its the sort of thing I'd say as a joke, then be really ashamed when the other person doesnt laugh too!]

Have you tried putting mesh over the beds? Not fine plastic netting, but the thick plastic-coated wire stuff used as fencing, with square holes a couple of inches wide. I'm sure there is a name for it! This stopped the critters digging in one bed they were particularly attracted to, and plants can still grow through the holes. Good luck, and don't get too disheartened. X

[Robert_Brenchley]

Had you thought of taking a bottle of wee down with you?

[grannyjanny]

This thread is starting to remind me of the film Carwash, with all the talk of pee in bottles ;) ;D.

I think I might have to ask OH to root it out.

[qahtan]

Oh no... don't kill it..... qahtan.

[ipt8]

Hi, just saw your post, so sorry about your fox problems.

Can the allotment owners deal with said fox?

I know keepers use an electric fox wire around pheasant pens. It is a single strand of electric fencing about a foot high and a foot out from the fence. However foxy could jump this without said fence beyond it.

If feasable electric fence hen netting would keep a fox out.

Easiest is to have said fox shot.

Keepers also use a faul smelleing liquid to deter foxes but that would be unbearable for you. They also use flashing rosd lights at night to deter him.

Would one of these cat scarers that detect motion and send a jet of water scare him off.

I dont suppose you happen to know someone with a shotgun that would sit out one night and deal with him for a price?

[antipodes]

Sorry to hear all this, you are like me, I love foxes and any wild creatures! Don't worry, there must be some way to repel him, it's just finding it. Securing the whole site sounds like good sense.

[qahtan]

 Can't you get the Humane Society to move them for you,they will tranquilize him and cart him off..
This is what they do here, at the moment the HS is in the throes of moving a load of Raccoons, they get into  the roofs and the garbage all manner of things, last week a man was arrested for trying to kill a nest of baby Raccoons,,,,, not allowed to do that and because of the gun laws they can't be shot,  this applies to all manner of wild animals.
including bears and wild dogs etc. Live and let live.
qahtan   

[Flighty]

Qahtan unfortunately that's something that they don't do with foxes here.
It's also illegal to kill them, although sadly people often do by poisoning them. It's always a contentious subject when they cause problems like this and there generally isn't any simple solution.   

[ceres]

It's also illegal to kill them, although sadly people often do by poisoning them.

In the UK it's legal to kill a fox either by shooting or live trapping followed by humane dispatch.  Gassing, poisoning, hunting with dogs and some types of snare/trap are illegal.

[Jeannine]

I am late reading this.. I am so sorry to hear about the fox causing you such distress and damage and I can sympathise with wanting to give up but.. there has to be a solution. Wonderful to hear that you don't blame the fox by the way.

I am wondering of the Zoo Poo would work, it certainly works for cats. It might be worth giving it a try and it is good fertiliser.  The smell of lion  droppings should deter most critters I think.

Hang in there, I really fo feel for you.

I will take a look in catalogues this side of the pond and see if there is anything available  here that may be a suggestion that is not too expensive.

Regards and good luck

XX Jeannine

[qahtan]

I hear what you are saying Mike,,,,, but you know how feel about
animals and birds etc,,, especially Mr Red Fox,,,,,,..

    I just hope turns out peacefully for both parties..... qahtan

[shirlton]

We used to have a problem withe the fox digging but not to the extent you are having. We watered diuted jeyes fluid all around our plot. Worth a try.

[lewic]

You can buy humane traps here http://www.foxtrap.co.uk/ourshop/prod_1122834-BLACK-42quot-HUMANE-FOLDING-URBAN-FOX-OR-FERAL-CAT-TRAP-FREE-CARRIAGE.html

I doubt there is only one fox though!

[Robert_Brenchley]

It might be worth trying Silent Roar (you can get it on eBay). The possibility of a large moggy lying in wait might be a bit too scary for them!

[Digeroo]

We have a fox which comes on site but so far it has not taken to digging.  It is so disheartening when something destroys your crops.  But do not give up.  I am sure you will find something that works and win back your allotment.

Perhaps you could carry a bottle of pee with you.  You may have to repeat this everytime it rains.

There have been posts in the past that foxes also like the smell of chicken pellets.