Cats and foxes can be a real nuisance for gardeners, but there is an easy method to keep them away from your plants using a simple solution
02:26, 13 May 2026Updated 07:18, 13 May 2026
Cats and foxes can be a real nuisance for gardeners, but there is an easy method to keep them away from your plants using a simple solution(Image: Dgwildlife via Getty Images)
Cats and foxes rule the streets after dark, and while it can be charming watching them roam about, it becomes far less enjoyable when they start loitering in your garden. Numerous gardeners have a soft spot for cats and foxes, but these creatures can become absolute pests in spring as they enjoy digging up freshly turned soil, frequently uprooting bulbs and wrecking flowerbeds.
Both animals are also extremely territorial and regularly use gardens as lavatories to mark their patch, which is not only foul-smelling but also spoils crops like tomatoes, rendering them unsafe to consume. Alessandro Vitale, organic gardener and founder of Spicy Moustache, has been tackling cats and foxes in London for years and has experimented with numerous different solutions to keep them away from his plants.
He has found that the “most effective” method to repel foxes and cats is to create a homemade herb solution that they’ll want to steer well clear of.
Both animals are used to humans so common deterrents like loud noises will not work on them(Image: Getty)
Alessandro said: “After the even years or so that I’ve been dealing with foxes, I [have] learned a few tips to avoid issues in my garden. I found that plants with a strong smell are ideal to keep foxes away from your garden.”
How can herbs keep cats and foxes out of a garden
It can be challenging to deter cats and foxes, as they’re accustomed to humans, meaning they’re often not scared by loud sounds. Consequently, most animal repellent devices won’t work on them.
Cats and foxes, however, are hardwired to use their sense of smell to detect danger, and are far more likely to be deterred by unfamiliar scents, as these signal to them that an area is unsafe, reports the Express.
These creatures also possess extraordinarily sensitive noses, and the compounds found in herbs or pungent vegetables such as garlic can frequently overwhelm them.
Herbs will genuinely aggravate their noses, cause their eyes to water and leave them disorientated. Their natural instinct will be to steer clear of the scent rather than investigate it further.
Foxes and cats are more likely to be scared off by strange smells from strong smelling herbs(Image: Getty)
Spraying a herb-based solution around your garden also conceals the smells that attract foxes and cats in the first place. The spray makes it far more likely that they will swiftly move on in search of other scents elsewhere.
Whipping up a herb solution is remarkably straightforward, requiring minimal effort, while also providing a humane method of protecting your plants from troublesome foxes and cats.
How to make a herb remedy that deters cats and foxes
You will need
1.4 litres of water30g of basil leaves30g of geranium leaves30g of sage leavesFour cloves of garlicOne big onion (optional)
Spray the solution around your garden and your plants should stay safe from foxes and cats(Image: Getty)
Method
Start by placing the water in a pan over a low-to-medium heat until it begins to simmer and nearly reaches boiling point.
Chop the basil, geranium and sage leaves, then add them to the water. Fresh herb leaves from a plant are essential, as they will be considerably more potent than dried alternatives.
Next, finely chop four cloves of garlic and add them to the water. You can also dice an onion and add it to the solution, though it will work perfectly well without it.
Once all the ingredients are in the pan, reduce the heat to low, place a lid on top and allow everything to simmer for approximately 30 minutes so the flavours fully infuse into the water. Once the time is up, switch off the heat and allow the solution to cool down fully. Next, strain the liquid to remove the solids from the water.
Pour the liquid into an empty spray bottle and apply it to any areas of the garden you want to protect. Scatter the solid remnants along the tops of fences, around gates, or wherever you suspect cats and foxes are gaining access to your property.
Reapply the solution once a week or following rainfall, and both foxes and cats should soon stop venturing into your garden.
Comments are closed.