Discover 6 Smells Foxes Absolutely Hate and Keep Them Out of Your Yard

Hot Peppers

Hot peppers like chili and cayenne contain a compound called capsaicin. It’s what gives them their spicy taste and burning sensation. For animals that have great noses, like most canines, the smell and burning sensations are heightened. While the spicy, uncomfortable feeling may be enough to scare foxes away, you can feel better knowing that it won’t actually hurt them. It may burn for a while, but it is non-lethal and a safe way to discourage the furry creatures from getting in your garden. 

You can sprinkle dried chili peppers or cayenne powder around your garden or in problem areas. You can also mix the dried peppers with water to create a spray. 

Garlic

What do foxes and vampires have in common? They both really hate garlic! When you crush garlic, it releases alliinase. This unique compound is what gives garlic its long-lasting scent often referred to as ‘garlic breath’. However, in this case, you’ll be glad that garlic has such a strong stench. It might just be enough to scare off any creatures who were curiously looking to make your garden their home.

Similarly to the hot peppers, you can use crushed (fresh) garlic sprinkled around your garden and in any spots the furry creatures normally get into. You can also mix fresh crushed garlic with water in a bottle and spray it around your garden. 

White Vinegar

If you’re thinking of strong, nose-burning scents, white vinegar certainly must make the list. White vinegar gets its potent smell from acetic acid, the compound that gives it its acidic taste as well. You can even buy concentrated white vinegar that’s made to be used around the garden in a ready-to-spray form.

Along with spraying the vinegar, you could also soak rags in it and hang the rags around your garden. Additionally, you could leave bowls full of vinegar outside. Similar to the hot peppers and garlic, this is something you’ll have to refresh or reapply regularly. Some gardeners have found success mixing white vinegar with peppers or garlic to enhance potency. 

Humans

The smell of humans is usually enough to keep foxes away, which is one reason you’ll rarely see them in highly populated areas. Spending time in your garden leaves your scent behind, but there are a few other things you can do to literally ‘mark your territory.’

The first and most effective is by using your own urine. It may be a dirty job, but human urine is one of the most potent smells to ward off foxes. It tells them that the area is occupied and since they will usually flee from humans, they’ll also flee from their scent. Despite it being a little off-putting, human urine is one of the least smelly scents on our list and also the most functional. However, if using the bathroom outside or spreading your urine around makes you too uncomfortable, there are other options. You can also use human hair clippings to scare them off. Spread the clippings around the edges of your garden and in any entryways.

Fox Repellent (Synthetic Urine)

Fox repellant, which is synthetic urine, is sold in stores and garden centers for the purpose of repelling foxes. It’s made to smell like another fox has already marked and claimed the territory of the area. That’s mainly due to a compound called ammonia, which mimics the natural ammonia present in urine.

Peppermint Oil

Using essential oils, particularly strong ones like peppermint oil, usually has a mixed response. That’s because peppermint oil can be toxic to cats and foxes, especially if ingested. Some gardeners have found success with dipping old tea bags in the oil and then hanging them around the garden. Hypothetically, animals shouldn’t be able to reach the hanging teabags, which keeps them safe. While the method might work, you’ll have to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks.