Gardeners ‘water the flower beds’ to mark territory against foxes

‘If I go into a garden that’s had male urine all over it, let me tell you, our prices go up’

MANY keen gardeners have looked in dismay over a once-thriving flower bed now full of upturned plants because of the enthusiasm of a curious fox.

Now, middle-aged men are taking an unorthodox approach to deterring the creatures, by “marking” their gardens.

The method is, apparently, being employed by householders who feel driven to desperate measures by the loud noises made by the animals at night, including a chilling screeching often mistaken for a person in distress.

City-dwellers are reporting a growing number of encounters with foxes as the animals lose their rural habitats and find food and shelter in urban areas.

Taking a tinkle on the flower beds to deter vulpine visitors may sound like an old wives’ tale, but some wildlife experts recommend it – though fox control companies have begged householders not to try it because of the smell.

The London Wildlife Trust told Time Out magazine: “The strong scent from human male urine (and only male urine) masks a male fox’s pungent scent, and can often force them out.”

The theory the use of male urine, so the fox thinks it is straying into the wrong territory – but professional fox controllers have said it does not work.

Graham Le Blond, the director of the humane fox deterrence company Fox-agon, said: “A lot of our clients are now younger and we tend to find they haven’t done the silly things. It’s those who are more middle-aged.

“If I go into a garden that’s had male urine all over it, let me tell you, our prices go up. I’ve signed on to working with animal urine and faeces but not human. It’s disgusting, it really is.”

Andy Bool, the chief executive of the Mammal Society, said: “Basically, it depends on the individual fox as to whether it will be effective, and it might only have a temporary effect.”

Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at the RHS, said: “I have my strong reservations as to whether it would work, because I just don’t think they’d be put off by that sort of thing. They go into all sorts of unsavoury places and they are completely habituated to humans.”

But those who try it may reap unexpected benefits for plants, as the substance is rich in nitrogen and potassium and contains a small amount of phosphorus. Among those to have tried it is actor David Tennant, who in 2012 told Absolute Radio: “I wait until it’s dark. I don’t offend anyone’s eyeballs.

“I did it for about a week and it definitely worked, but you have to be quite consistent.”

Mr Le Blond estimated one in 20 London households feeds foxes. He said: “It’s a man-made problem – we are wasteful. Most of the councils are getting better in that they are putting out solid bins for rubbish but for years we put out plastic sacks. It’s just a food source.”