These foxes probably sleep in rough land which is adjacent to the bowling
green and they are progressively damaging the well kept green by digging a
few holes each night and also removing the earth from any that has been
repaired. I have no confidence in any repellant products on the market due
to an experience I had years ago when they damaged my heather garden, but I
am wondering if anyone has found a way to deter them. Following tips from
other bowling greens I have acquired a large number of 2 litre pop bottles
which I shall fill with water and hopefully that will frighten them off as
they are apparently scared of seeing their reflection in the bottles. Using
crushed moth balls is another suggestion, but I learn that they are now
banned.

On Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:55:15 +0100, "Emrys Davies"
wrote:

These foxes probably sleep in rough land which is adjacent to the bowling
green and they are progressively damaging the well kept green by digging a
few holes each night and also removing the earth from any that has been
repaired. I have no confidence in any repellant products on the market due
to an experience I had years ago when they damaged my heather garden, but I
am wondering if anyone has found a way to deter them. Following tips from
other bowling greens I have acquired a large number of 2 litre pop bottles
which I shall fill with water and hopefully that will frighten them off as
they are apparently scared of seeing their reflection in the bottles. Using
crushed moth balls is another suggestion, but I learn that they are now
banned.

There have been a few discussions here of late and I think the
consensus is that the only effective solution is an electric fence!
Can't speak for pop bottles but it used to be said that they were
effective against cats but I've never seen a cat scared by one ;-)

Cheers, Jake
=======================================
Urgling from Swansea Bay. Dave's at that end; I'm at this end.
Bill G's in the middle. Come to think of it, where is Bill G these days?

"Jake" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:55:15 +0100, "Emrys Davies"
wrote:

These foxes probably sleep in rough land which is adjacent to the bowling
green and they are progressively damaging the well kept green by digging a
few holes each night and also removing the earth from any that has been
repaired. I have no confidence in any repellant products on the market
due
to an experience I had years ago when they damaged my heather garden, but
I
am wondering if anyone has found a way to deter them. Following tips from
other bowling greens I have acquired a large number of 2 litre pop bottles
which I shall fill with water and hopefully that will frighten them off as
they are apparently scared of seeing their reflection in the bottles.
Using
crushed moth balls is another suggestion, but I learn that they are now
banned.

There have been a few discussions here of late and I think the
consensus is that the only effective solution is an electric fence!
Can't speak for pop bottles but it used to be said that they were
effective against cats but I've never seen a cat scared by one ;-)

My cat sneers at pop bottles.
Electric fences are good against foxes as long as you keep them charged -
the minute the battery fails you are in trouble, as they seem to know it.

I've had a difficult relationship with foxes attacking my chickens for some
years. My preferred method if they do it, is to put a piece of lead in
their ear.
Works quite well.

"Christina Websell" wrote in message
...

"Jake" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:55:15 +0100, "Emrys Davies"
wrote:

These foxes probably sleep in rough land which is adjacent to the bowling
green and they are progressively damaging the well kept green by digging
a
few holes each night and also removing the earth from any that has been
repaired. I have no confidence in any repellant products on the market
due
to an experience I had years ago when they damaged my heather garden, but
I
am wondering if anyone has found a way to deter them. Following tips
from
other bowling greens I have acquired a large number of 2 litre pop
bottles
which I shall fill with water and hopefully that will frighten them off
as
they are apparently scared of seeing their reflection in the bottles.
Using
crushed moth balls is another suggestion, but I learn that they are now
banned.

There have been a few discussions here of late and I think the
consensus is that the only effective solution is an electric fence!
Can't speak for pop bottles but it used to be said that they were
effective against cats but I've never seen a cat scared by one ;-)

My cat sneers at pop bottles.
Electric fences are good against foxes as long as you keep them charged -
the minute the battery fails you are in trouble, as they seem to know it.

I've had a difficult relationship with foxes attacking my chickens for
some years. My preferred method if they do it, is to put a piece of lead
in their ear.
Works quite well.

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.

"Emrys Davies" wrote in message
...

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.

"Christina Websell" wrote in message
...

"Emrys Davies" wrote in message
...

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.

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
On 2012-06-21 22:46:23 +0100, "Christina Websell"
said:


"Emrys Davies" wrote in message
...

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.

Not necessarily, if it's an amenity provided by the Council or funded by
it in some way.


Just as a matter of interest, Sacha, phone your local council tomorrow and
tell them you having a problem with foxes.
See what they say and report back ;-)

Tina

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
On 2012-06-21 01:18:09 +0100, "Emrys Davies" said:


I'm told they don't like alpacas...!


Alpacas and llamas will soon see off a fox, but I doubt they can be kept on
a bowling green.
I wish I had enough room for a couple of alpacas at my house. Foxes after
my chickens are the bane of my life.
After a huge kill during the day, when I filled several sacks with my dead
chickens, which almost broke my heart, I declared war on them.

On Jun 20, 5:17*pm, Jake wrote:
On Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:55:15 +0100, "Emrys Davies"
wrote:

These foxes probably sleep in rough land which is adjacent to the bowling
green and they are progressively damaging the well kept green by digging a
few holes each night and also removing the earth from any that has been
repaired. *I have no confidence in any repellant products on the market due
to an experience I had years ago when they damaged my heather garden, but I
am wondering if anyone has found a way to deter them. *Following tips from
other bowling greens I have acquired a large number of 2 litre pop bottles
which I shall fill with water and hopefully that will frighten them off as
they are apparently scared of seeing their reflection in the bottles. *Using
crushed moth balls is another suggestion, but I learn that they are now
banned.

There have been a few discussions here of late and I think the
consensus is that the only effective solution is an electric fence!
Can't speak for pop bottles but it used to be said that they were
effective against cats but I've never seen a cat scared by one ;-)

Yes an electric fence seems to be a good deterrent. Once shocked they
don't go near it again.

Doug.

"Doug" wrote in message
...
On Jun 20, 5:17 pm, Jake wrote:
On Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:55:15 +0100, "Emrys Davies"
wrote:

These foxes probably sleep in rough land which is adjacent to the bowling
green and they are progressively damaging the well kept green by digging
a
few holes each night and also removing the earth from any that has been
repaired. I have no confidence in any repellant products on the market
due
to an experience I had years ago when they damaged my heather garden, but
I
am wondering if anyone has found a way to deter them. Following tips from
other bowling greens I have acquired a large number of 2 litre pop
bottles
which I shall fill with water and hopefully that will frighten them off
as
they are apparently scared of seeing their reflection in the bottles.
Using
crushed moth balls is another suggestion, but I learn that they are now
banned.

There have been a few discussions here of late and I think the
consensus is that the only effective solution is an electric fence!
Can't speak for pop bottles but it used to be said that they were
effective against cats but I've never seen a cat scared by one ;-)

Yes an electric fence seems to be a good deterrent. Once shocked they
don't go near it again.

Doug.
================================================== =================

if it was about reflection in the water bottles then mirrors would be
better, so it cant be that.

you see a lot of plastic bottles with water in, around plants in tokyo and
it has been done for many years, so it must work.

i've seen twenty or thirty bottles lined up before now. any sensible
suggestions as to why it works? one suggestion is they know its clean water
and dont like to disturb what might be a drinking source. (all instinctive
of course)

what about the movement activated very high pitch noise thingy, you used to
be able to buy?

"D. T. Green" wrote in message
...

"Doug" wrote in message
...
On Jun 20, 5:17 pm, Jake wrote:
On Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:55:15 +0100, "Emrys Davies"
wrote:

These foxes probably sleep in rough land which is adjacent to the
bowling
green and they are progressively damaging the well kept green by digging
a
few holes each night and also removing the earth from any that has been
repaired. I have no confidence in any repellant products on the market
due
to an experience I had years ago when they damaged my heather garden,
but I
am wondering if anyone has found a way to deter them. Following tips
from
other bowling greens I have acquired a large number of 2 litre pop
bottles
which I shall fill with water and hopefully that will frighten them off
as
they are apparently scared of seeing their reflection in the bottles.
Using
crushed moth balls is another suggestion, but I learn that they are now
banned.

There have been a few discussions here of late and I think the
consensus is that the only effective solution is an electric fence!
Can't speak for pop bottles but it used to be said that they were
effective against cats but I've never seen a cat scared by one ;-)

Yes an electric fence seems to be a good deterrent. Once shocked they
don't go near it again.

Doug.
================================================== =================

if it was about reflection in the water bottles then mirrors would be
better, so it cant be that.

you see a lot of plastic bottles with water in, around plants in tokyo and
it has been done for many years, so it must work.

i've seen twenty or thirty bottles lined up before now. any sensible
suggestions as to why it works? one suggestion is they know its clean
water and dont like to disturb what might be a drinking source. (all
instinctive of course)

what about the movement activated very high pitch noise thingy, you used
to be able to buy?

Three bowling green persons who I have spoken to swear by the water bottles
method and so I was persuaded, but I must say that I have my real doubts. I
am studying high frequency, ultrasound and sonic repellants on Google and
one of their inadequacies in my case would appear to be the distance they
cover. Our green is about 35 yards square and corner to corner is probably
50 yards or so.

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
On 2012-06-22 14:14:23 +0100, "Emrys Davies" said:


"D. T. Green" wrote in message
...
snip

if it was about reflection in the water bottles then mirrors would be
better, so it cant be that.

you see a lot of plastic bottles with water in, around plants in tokyo
and it has been done for many years, so it must work.

i've seen twenty or thirty bottles lined up before now. any sensible
suggestions as to why it works? one suggestion is they know its clean
water and dont like to disturb what might be a drinking source. (all
instinctive of course)

what about the movement activated very high pitch noise thingy, you used
to be able to buy?

Three bowling green persons who I have spoken to swear by the water
bottles method and so I was persuaded, but I must say that I have my real
doubts. I am studying high frequency, ultrasound and sonic repellants on
Google and one of their inadequacies in my case would appear to be the
distance they cover. Our green is about 35 yards square and corner to
corner is probably 50 yards or so.


Is it too close to housing for automatic lighting to be used?

It is surrounded by houses and a public house, but the houses are quite a
distance away (long gardens and the green's spare land) and the residents
could be consulted, but do you think that that lighting would frighten them
away? In any case the green is roughly 1,225 square yards. The quite
strong lighting from the pub's. big patio shows up the whole of the green
quite well until about midnight and the foxes run around on it quite freely
from about 9.45 p.m. and during that time there is much noise from the
patrons as they use the smoking area. None of this deters the foxes.