"Sacha" wrote in message
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On 2012-06-22 11:08:15 +0100, "Emrys Davies" said:


"Christina Websell" wrote in message
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"Emrys Davies" wrote in message
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"Christina Websell" wrote in
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"Emrys Davies" wrote in message
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We were not absolutely sure that it was foxes as opposed to carrion
crows or other birds which were causing the damage so to remove any
doubt whatsoever I visited the green at about 9.30 p.m. last night
and made sure that all holes were filled and that everything was in
order. Then I sat in the darkness of our pavillion and between 10 pm
and 11.15 pm four foxes, in one instance all at the same time,
visited the green and, although the lighting was not sufficient for
me to see exactly what they were doing at the time, I found shortly
afterwards that they had removed the fillings from two holes without
there being a bird or other animal in sight. Now that we definitely
know the cause of our problem I will at first try the pop bottles and
if that fails total disturbance of their habitat must be an option
and maybe the odd visit by a Jack Russell. Should that not work I may
seek the help of our local council.


Lots of luck with getting a council involved. Foxes are not
considered life-threatening here (and they aren't, normally) so no
help will come from there.
You will have to do it yourself.

Yes, you are right. Spoke to the council today and they have a neutral
policy regarding foxes. I have totally disturbed the foxes sleeping
area on nearby waste land and will visit it regularly in an endeavour
to encourage them to move on and hopefully that will work. The pop
bottles are in place so I am hoping that they will have the desired
effect.


Continually disturbing their sleeping area might work. Forget the pop
bottles. I've seen the pop bottle idea mooted many times against cats,
foxes. Why would it be effective? Why would a fox be scared of a pop
bottle? they aren't.

Apparently they see their reflection in the bottle full of water and that
scares them off. I am about to go and to see if the bottles worked last
night and will let you know.

Some say that (human) male urine is a deterrent. How you go about that is
up to you! This 'neutral policy' thing is silly. If foxes did have
fluffy coats but were rats digging up a local amenity, they'd sing a
different tune.

I have no confidence in any liquid whatsoever as years ago I bought Renadine
(no longer available) to deter foxes which were digging up my heather
cuttings. I dunked teabags in it and placed them in jars as recommended
only to see the foxes messing around with the jars in the early hours.