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Foxes
Jun 3, 2016 10:41:44 GMT
Post by murrayc on Jun 3, 2016 10:41:44 GMT
Returning to the plot for the first time this week, just to take a look at what damage the winds had done to transplanted seedlings, and perhaps to pick a few broad beans and salad leaves, we weren't prepared for quite the amount of tunnelling and earthworks that the foxes had wrought in the front flowerbed. We know that the foxes have always regarded that corner of our plot as one of their runs. Partly I think its because we have always had manure delivered there in the past and there must be wonderful rich, pungent aromas that torment a young fox with their promise. A couple of weeks ago they had dug up a small portion near the low barrier that divides the flowerbed from the main part of the plot, but we caertainly weren't expecting the scale of this latest onslaught. We think they must be Swiss foxes, fresh from digging the new Gotthard tunnel, and eager to import their skills.
This is what the same portion of bed looked like a couple of weeks ago : you know, that far-off time when the sun shone and it was actually warm and pleasant to be in the open air. Does anyone have any suggestions for deterring this level of vulpine predation? We certainly don't like the idea of extermination of such ingenious creatures and wouldn't support trapping or poisoning, but if there are any plantings, for instance, that foxes detest and will stay away from we'd be interested to hear. Otherwise it looks as if the only thing we can do with that corner of the plot is to put a shed over it - and hope that the foxes haven't seen The Great Escape and regard it as a challenge to excavate!
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Post by wilbarra on Jun 3, 2016 12:50:38 GMT
thats easily solved all you have to do is do what they did in the briar patch in one of the Enid Blyton stories. when brer fox was causing trouble in the briar patch, brer rabbit challenged brer fox to a race with the loser having to leave the briar patch for six months. Brer rabbit won with the help of his friends. so all you have to do is write to brer rabbit (i think the address is) Brer rabbit The briar patch Anywhere I am sure he will be only to pleased to help hope that is of some help
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bridgey
Clearing the weeds
Posts: 60
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Foxes
Jun 3, 2016 17:20:51 GMT
Post by bridgey on Jun 3, 2016 17:20:51 GMT
Could try and talk to them and try and get them To enter strictly come dancing They could do the fox trot Boom boom
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Foxes
Jun 4, 2016 6:53:35 GMT
Post by murrayc on Jun 4, 2016 6:53:35 GMT
Thanks chaps, you're a lot of help. In fact bridgey I think you're right: I saw two of them together and when they saw me one of them said to the other "Here comes the human, we'd better foxtrot, Oscar". Never got the name of his pal, though.
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Foxes
Jun 5, 2016 14:51:30 GMT
Post by murrayc on Jun 5, 2016 14:51:30 GMT
This fox has clearly decided it wants to set up home on my plot, and sees no reason why he shouldn't construct himself an airy mansion of several rooms connected via winding passages. He has no interests in the flowers at one entrance to his estate, and even less to the bed of lettuces and coriander at the latest exit he has built. Possible deterrents I have Googled include human hair, preferably wrapped in a pair of old tights, strong pepper or curry powder, and of course the ubiquitous gardener's remedy for everything, a bucket of wee. Not sure what I will try first but if you notice anything odd about my plot, you have been warned!
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Foxes
Jun 6, 2016 6:43:01 GMT
Post by jane on Jun 6, 2016 6:43:01 GMT
They certainly seem to like your patch Murray! Perhaps it's an honour - well look at it that way otherwise it could be very down heartening! Shame for you both though as I know how hard you work! I would support the pepper dust idea. I have used that in the past to deter neighbourhood cats and it worked well!!
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Foxes
Jun 9, 2016 19:37:31 GMT
Post by murrayc on Jun 9, 2016 19:37:31 GMT
I bought some beer today - can't imagine why.
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Foxes
Jun 12, 2016 17:27:58 GMT
Post by murrayc on Jun 12, 2016 17:27:58 GMT
A new secret weapon in the war against fox domination - hair courtesy of Tony's Hairdressers in Sussex Road, tights courtesy of Pat. Now let's see if these old gardener's remedies still work.
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Foxes
Jun 20, 2016 6:27:25 GMT
Post by murrayc on Jun 20, 2016 6:27:25 GMT
Update: The fox hasn't gone any further on my plot, so perhaps the hair-filled tights have deterred him, or at least he thinks we're so weird he doesn't want anything more to do with us! Nevertheless I have heard, and seen signs that he is running through other plots up on the right-hand side and it looks as if aat least one fox is pretty well-established in territory on this site.
I have spoken to the council and am waiting to hear from the Pest Control Officer. I've made it clear that I'm not looking for extermination in any way, but if any kind of sedating and rehoming option is available then I would welcome it. If anybody else has had problems with foxes and has evidence of crops disturbed or uprooted, then please let me know so that the council can track the culprit.
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Foxes
Jun 20, 2016 8:13:39 GMT
Post by wilbarra on Jun 20, 2016 8:13:39 GMT
be careful what you wish for get rid of the foxes and you will have a return of the rabbits we have had trouble with foxes for some twenty years but with the advent of the arrival of the foxes saw the disappearance of the rabbits. believe me rabbits do far greater damage than any family of foxes and they breed far faster. the fact that we dont have any trouble with rabbits devouring everything in sight. mice going through the pea and bean rows over night. (usualy the same night that you sowed them) rats chewing up everything in the sheds and greenhouses even jays are reluctant to attack a row of peas when they are fully formed if there is a presence of a fox. even the damage done by cats is limited. we dont suffer any of this because of one thing The foxes on the site. as i say be careful what you wish for
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Foxes
Jul 26, 2016 11:34:05 GMT
Post by wilbarra on Jul 26, 2016 11:34:05 GMT
The america lane fox struck again last night when a plotholder came down the site this morning and found that all the hard work he had put in last week, planting his dahlias out ,had come to nothing when he found that a great part of his dahlia patch had been devastated by the ?. The time for joking is over. My own view is that this has now become a council problem, for it is not just allotment holders that are having problems but householders as well. The problem with the foxes has reached Eastern Road and Western road. no doubt the same family. Is it time for a cull? I think yes and to the people who think they are dear little things go and ask the owner of plot eleven what he thinks of that opinion.
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Foxes
Jul 26, 2016 12:02:21 GMT
Post by Admin on Jul 26, 2016 12:02:21 GMT
The america lane fox struck again last night when a plotholder came down the site this morning and found that all the hard work he had put in last week, planting his dahlias out ,had come to nothing when he found that a great part of his dahlia patch had been devastated by the ?. The time for joking is over. My own view is that this has now become a council problem, for it is not just allotment holders that are having problems but householders as well. The problem with the foxes has reached Eastern Road and Western road. no doubt the same family. Is it time for a cull? I think yes and to the people who think they are dear little things go and ask the owner of plot eleven what he thinks of that opinion. This has been reported to the Town Council as an urgent problem and I will chase it up and post a response as soon as possible.
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Foxes
Jul 26, 2016 15:50:05 GMT
Post by Admin on Jul 26, 2016 15:50:05 GMT
Further to the above, Helen Hewett is contacting pest control companies and will give us feedback as soon as possible. If anyone has any further information or actual sightings of a fox or foxes, please post details
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Foxes
Aug 10, 2016 17:41:18 GMT
Post by murrayc on Aug 10, 2016 17:41:18 GMT
A representative of a leading pest control company will be visiting the site on Friday morning, 12th August in response to the various complaints that have been received by the Town Council.
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Foxes
Aug 25, 2016 7:04:00 GMT
via mobile
Post by jane on Aug 25, 2016 7:04:00 GMT
Any update on the fox prob Murray ? Are you fox free now? j
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