Top 7  Effective Strategies to Keep Foxes Away From Your Garden in South East London

Foxes are common across South East London, and if they’re digging, scavenging bins, or leaving mess, you’re probably searching for ways to keep foxes away from your garden in South East London. This guide shares simple, humane steps that work, plus a quick checklist and FAQs.

Quick checklist

• Secure bins and compost
• Remove overnight food sources
• Block gaps under fences and gates
• Reduce hiding spots
• Add motion deterrents
• Use scent deterrents at entry points
• Stay consistent for 2 to 3 weeks

1) Secure your garden entry points

A fence helps, but foxes usually get in through weak spots, not by “jumping the whole thing.”

• Inspect your fence line for loose panels, rot, missing slats, or gaps at the base. If you’ve got loose panels or gaps around gates, our Garden Fencing service can help you close off common entry points.
• Check gates for gaps and make sure the latch is firm and can’t be nudged open
• If digging is the issue, add a simple barrier at the bottom edge (for example, sturdy mesh buried a short way down)
• Look at side passages, alley access, and “hidden” corners where a fox can slip through unnoticed

Tip: If you see the same paw prints or disturbed soil in one spot, that’s likely their regular route. Fix that exact entry point first.

2) Remove attractants (biggest impact)

Foxes keep returning when your garden is a reliable source of food.

• Bring pet food indoors, especially overnight
• Store bird seed in sealed containers and clean up spillages
• Harvest ripe produce and pick up fallen fruit or veg
• Keep compost tightly sealed and avoid adding meat, fish, or greasy leftovers
• Keep rubbish bin lids secure, and consider a strap or lock if they’re being opened

Tip: If you change only one thing first, change food access. It’s the fastest way to break the habit.

3) Use humane deterrents (scent + motion)

Deterrents work best when you combine smell and surprise.

• Apply a commercial fox repellent around entry points and reapply after rain
• Focus on the routes they use, not the whole garden
• Install a motion-activated sprinkler near bins, gates, or the main entry route
• Add motion lights for side passages and darker corners

Tip: Motion sprinklers are one of the most effective tools because foxes learn to avoid areas that “fight back.”

4) Plant fox-deterring flora (supporting tactic)

Plants won’t solve the problem alone, but strong scents can help make borders less appealing.

• Use lavender and rosemary along borders or near entry points
• Add garlic or chives around beds and edges where foxes sniff and explore
• Mix in marigolds or geraniums for extra scent and colour

Tip: Treat plants as a bonus layer, not the main fix. Do food and entry points first.

5) Introduce noise and movement

Foxes prefer quiet, predictable gardens. Adding small movement cues makes them more cautious.

• Hang wind chimes near problem corners or gates
• Use reflective garden stakes or similar items near the route they take
• Move reflective items occasionally so foxes don’t get used to them

Tip: Place these near the fox route, not randomly. Targeted placement works better.

6) Keep your garden tidy and less shelter-like

Foxes love cover. Reducing hiding spots often reduces repeat visits.

• Trim back overgrown shrubs, hedges, and tall grass along the perimeter. 
• Clear leaf piles, wood stacks, and cluttered corners
• Check for small digging attempts and fill them in promptly
• Keep shed areas and storage tidy and closed

A simple tidy-up often makes a big difference. If your garden has overgrowth or cluttered corners, take a look at our Garden Clearance service.

Tip: If foxes are resting in your garden, clearing cover is usually the turning point.

7) Community awareness (very relevant in London)

Foxes roam across multiple gardens each night. If one property is “easy”, the whole street sees more activity.

• Encourage neighbours to secure bins and compost
• Ask people not to leave food out overnight
• Share what’s working (motion sprinklers are often the winner)

Tip: A few small changes across 3 to 5 nearby gardens can make fox visits drop a lot faster.

What not to do to keep foxes away

• Don’t feed foxes, even accidentally
• Don’t use harmful traps or poison (unsafe for pets and wildlife)
• Don’t expect an instant fix, it usually takes 1 to 3 weeks of consistency

FAQ

Trusted sources (humane advice)

These are reputable sources if you want official guidance alongside the tips above.

• The RSPCA guidance on discouraging foxes from gardens (humane methods).
• Local council advice on urban foxes and keeping bins secure (London context).
• RHS notes on why fencing alone is rarely enough and why consistency matters.

How our gardening services can help

We don’t remove foxes, but we can help with the garden conditions that won't attract them.

• Garden maintenance to keep borders trimmed and reduce hiding spots

• Garden clearance to remove overgrowth and cluttered corners

• Garden fencing repairs to close off common access gaps

• Lawn care and mowing to keep grass healthy and make digging damage easier to spot

• Garden landscaping and design to create a more open, maintainable layout

• Patio cleaning to keep bin areas and hardstanding cleaner and less attractive

Want help improving your garden in South East London? Get in touch and we’ll recommend the best service for your outdoor space.