One household item can be used to tackle a common nuisance in the garden, according to experts
Beyond its usual role in the laundry room, washing powder can serve a surprising purpose in your garden.(Image: Getty)
Gardeners are being urged to reach for an unexpected kitchen cupboard essential this winter: washing powder. Experts suggest it could prove invaluable in tackling a common seasonal problem affecting households across the UK. When applied properly, washing powder can help discourage unwanted pest activity and shield garden spaces from “collateral damage.”
This straightforward and budget-friendly method offers gardeners an effective solution without resorting to harsh chemicals. It’s especially beneficial for those contending with foxes; below, we’ve examined why and how to implement it.
Why foxes pose a problem in your garden
Foxes are particularly active in gardens between December and February, which coincides with their breeding season, according to Lewisham.gov.uk. Garden specialists at Lawn Tech explain that foxes can create numerous problems in outdoor spaces.
Foxes are one of the biggest pests to enter your garden this winter(Image: Getty)
They explained: “Apart from the obvious risk to any livestock which may be living in your garden, foxes cause all manner of collateral damage too.
“This ranges from the mildly irritating things like knocking over dustbins and scattering their contents, to the madly infuriating stuff.
“This includes digging up plants and flower beds and making holes in the lawn, usually when searching for juicy treats such as Chafer Grubs in their search for snacks underneath.
“They are also known to bury stashes of excess food under lawns or outbuildings and are not known for their tidy workmanship!”
Gardeners urged to use washing powder in gardens(Image: Getty)How washing powder can discourage foxes
Foxes, much like other creatures, have a habit of returning to the same spots for their toilet needs as part of their territorial marking behaviour. The resulting smells can linger on your lawns, and using strong chemicals such as bleach often only temporarily masks the odour.
Instead, lawn care experts at Lawn Tech suggest using a combination of biological washing powder and hot water to clean the affected area. This method breaks down the organic residues left behind by the waste.
Garden enthusiasts may need to repeat this process several times over a few days, but it’s generally considered the most effective way to eliminate the persistent smell.
Additional preventative steps include securing your rubbish to prevent foxes from accessing food, maintaining a clean garden, and putting away items like old gardening gloves and shoes, which can emit an enticing scent to foxes.
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