Urban Foxes in London Gardens: What's Legal, What Works, What Doesn't

London has one of the densest urban fox populations in the world — roughly 18 foxes per square kilometre in some boroughs. They've been part of the city's ecosystem since the 1930s and aren't going anywhere. For most homeowners they're a curiosity; for a smaller group with chickens, small pets, or a beautifully kept lawn, they're a genuine problem.

There's also a lot of bad advice out there, including some that's outright illegal. Here's what actually works in a London garden, and where the law draws the line.

Why foxes pick your garden

Foxes are opportunists. They settle wherever food, water and shelter are predictable. In London that usually means a mix of bin access, fed pets, leftover food from neighbours intentionally feeding wildlife, and a quiet space under decking or a shed to den.

Open or loose-lidded bins — the single biggest attractant.
Pet food left outside overnight.
Bird feeders that spill seed onto the ground.
Compost heaps containing cooked food or meat scraps.
Decking, sheds and overgrown corners that make ideal dens, especially in cubbing season (Feb–Apr).

What's legal — and what isn't

Foxes aren't a protected species in the UK, but the methods used to control them are tightly regulated. Anything that causes unnecessary suffering is illegal under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996.

Legal: humane deterrence, proofing, removal of attractants, scaring devices, professional fox-shooting under specific licensed conditions (rare in urban areas).
Illegal: poisoning a fox, snaring without strict legal compliance, gassing dens, drowning, or using glue traps.
Trapping and relocating sounds humane but is widely considered cruel — released foxes rarely survive in unfamiliar territory and it's discouraged by the major UK wildlife bodies.

Deterrents that actually work

Most fox 'problems' are solved by removing the reason the fox keeps coming back, not by trying to physically remove the fox.

Secure bins with a strap or weighted lid — fix this first, the rest gets easier.
Stop feeding pets outside. Bring bowls in at dusk.
Block under-deck and under-shed access with weld-mesh dug 30 cm into the ground.
Motion-activated water sprinklers (e.g. Scarecrow units) — genuinely effective if positioned on a regular fox run.
Ultrasonic deterrents have mixed results; they work for some gardens and do nothing in others. Try before committing.
Scent deterrents (capsaicin-based granules) need re-application after rain — useful as part of a plan, not a standalone fix.

Chickens, rabbits and small pets

Foxes will absolutely take chickens, ducks, rabbits and guinea pigs given the chance. The fix is housing, not deterrence: a fully enclosed run with weld-mesh (not chicken wire), a buried skirt to stop digging, and a roof. Foxes can climb 6 ft fences easily, so anything open-topped is not secure.

Mange, sick or injured foxes

If you see a fox with severe hair loss, visible wounds, dragging a limb, or unable to flee on approach, contact a London wildlife charity such as The Fox Project or RSPCA — not a pest controller. Sarcoptic mange is treatable and free programmes exist across most boroughs.

When a pest controller is the right call

Most fox issues don't need a pest controller — they need proofing and behaviour change. The exceptions worth paying for:

A confirmed active den under your decking, shed or outbuilding during cubbing season.
Persistent fouling on a lawn or play area that hasn't responded to deterrents.
Damage to a specific commercial site (food premises, school grounds) where written records of action are required.
Survey and proofing work where you want it done properly first time — sealing every gap larger than 12 cm.

Frequently asked questions

Are urban foxes dangerous to people or pets?

Attacks on people are extremely rare and almost always involve a fox that's been hand-fed and lost its fear of humans. Cats and foxes generally ignore each other; small dogs, chickens and rabbits do need proper housing.

Will fox repellents harm my dog or cat?

Most capsaicin-based granules sold for fox deterrence are safe around pets when used as directed. Avoid any homemade mix containing toxic substances — and never use rodenticide, which is illegal against foxes and causes secondary poisoning.

Why does my neighbour's garden have no foxes and mine has five?

Almost always down to attractants. Bin security, pet food left out, open compost, or someone nearby intentionally feeding them. Fix the food source and the visits drop within a couple of weeks.