Say goodbye to unwanted visitors: How keep cats and foxes out of your garden year-round

Even as the seasons change, many homeowners face the recurring challenge of dealing with animal waste, raided bins, or wildlife encroaching into their gardens. 

And even for the biggest animal lovers among us, having unwanted wildlife or pets that aren’t your own in your garden can cause a whole host of problems. 

The type of animal causing problems in your garden varies from region to region, but our team at Grass247 can reveal that there are two animals in particular that Brits want to keep at bay: cats and foxes.

We found that there are over 22,000 online monthly searches in the UK for ways to keep cats out of gardens, and another over 5,000 for foxes.

To keep your garden clean, secure, and animal-free - no matter the season - we’ve pulled together how to keep cats and foxes out of your garden using only humane and natural methods. 

Why are cats and foxes drawn to gardens? 

In the colder months, you may notice more animals, like cats and foxes, because they’re seeking out spots where they can shelter from the cold. 

For foxes, their food sources become more scarce in the winter, which might mean they’re in your garden to see what scraps they can find. 

When it comes to spring and summer, we humans naturally tend to spend more time outdoors in our green spaces, often embracing alfresco dining and barbecues, which can easily lead to fallen food scraps we don’t notice, drawing in unwanted wildlife even more. 

If you have and want to prevent unwanted visitors, it’s important to address this issue humanely. In the UK, harmful traps or poisons are illegal and can harm non-target species like pets and children. Instead, focus on methods that protect both your garden and the local wildlife.

Five natural ways to keep cats and foxes out of your garden

1. Create unappealing scents

Many animals, such as cats and foxes, are sensitive to strong smells. 

At Grass247, we recommend natural deterrents like citrus peels, coffee grounds, or approved repellents to make your garden less attractive. 

You can try adding some orange, lime, or lemon peels from any summer refreshments directly onto your soil.

Not only will this help to deter unwanted visitors, but they’ll also naturally compost and provide your plants with some extra nutrients. 

Wildlife also tends to avoid plants with strong odours such as garlic, lavender, or mint, so adding these to your garden can work as a natural repellent too. If you don’t want to add any new plants, you can also use the essential oils to keep animals out of gardens, but it’s important to check they’re safe for the animal you’re trying to deter.

2. Secure compost bins and bins

To help keep any unwanted animals away from your garden, it’s vital to dispose of your food waste in a way that doesn’t attract them. 

Use compost or food waste bins, ensuring food is tightly enclosed in compostable bags. A bin lock or weighted lid can also add protection.

Regularly cleaning bins with soapy water and spraying them with vinegar or peppermint tea can also help mask lingering food smells.

3. Consider higher fences and fix any gaps in existing ones

Many of the animals we like to keep out of our gardens, like cats and foxes, are known for being great climbers, but having higher fences around your garden will deter some lazier cats, especially if there aren’t any surrounding trees near your fence that they can piggyback the climb from. 

Similarly, you might want to consider fixing any gaps in or double-boarding your fence. Most of the animals that come into our gardens are nimble enough to get through even the smallest of spaces, and if there’s a gap, they’ll come through that instead of the effort of climbing.

4. Clean regularly

Garden cleaning can sometimes fall to the wayside, especially in the colder months, but cleaning your garden regularly is one of the easiest ways to keep unwanted visitors at bay. 

Remove animal waste promptly and rinse affected areas with water mixed with a disinfectant safe for pets and plants. 

This discourages repeat visits by removing scent markers used by animals to identify territories.

5. Keep your grass tidy

Unless properly cleaned, debris such as fallen leaves and twigs from autumn, can linger on our lawns for months - especially if there’s a cold spell that causes them to freeze over. 

Regularly clearing your lawn or artificial grass makes your garden less appealing to animals, whilst also ensuring it’s ready for the season ahead.

If your green fingers are itching to get stuck in before the summer season - why not take a look at our expert tips on maintaining artificial grass in spring?