"Temporary" traffic lights at Colyton, Dunstan and Forest Hill Road Junction
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If you don't want foxes constantly visiting your property, the onus is really on you, the homeowner, to fox-proof your garden. They are protected wildlife and beautiful, highly misunderstood creatures that are permanently established in the urban landscape. To deter them, you must focus on prevention: install plastic spikes or similar humane deterrents on the tops of fences, make sure there are no holes, and fill in any gaps they may be using for dens. For a scent deterrent, you can use products containing ammonium sulphate (often found in certain lawn treatments and available on eBay) and spray the area regularly. I've had foxes visiting me for the last four years and have successfully treated three for mange using Ivermectin in targeted bait, observing them safely with Ring cameras. The ones that feed them responsibly with high-quality health food such as raw eggs, raw chicken scraps, or dried and wet dog food actually improve their overall health and discourage them from nuisance behavior like bin diving, eating urban garbage, and digging in the garden for worms. Even if you were to kill a fox that lived on your property, it would only temporarily result in a "vacuum" which another fox would quickly fill. On average, they are lucky to get to two years old, being killed mostly by cars and injuries which, if untreated, often kill them. They are more intelligent than dogs or cats but live short, precarious lives in the dark of night, existing on the edge of human society because we tried to exterminate them in former times when they were a threat to our scarce food. This paranoia and acute survival instinct is bred into them by natural selection.They tend to stay away from where they are not wanted if you make it obvious enough. Ammonium Sulphate is cheap as chips - get some - or don't oh and don't use bone meal fertiliser that has the opposite effect ! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254700292293?_skw=ammoniumj+sulpahte&itmmeta=01K7P00MMT1V5AMR8D9TBENQ4R&hash=item3b4d5208c5:g:ussAAOSwrjtfRj92&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fhnp4DjTtHUNe%2BAYGnIWDuSA2kLbS2bPIC7IEg2onglhHOMSUoJzUxMv38IxLKTJErXQHj8c%2FSNLfwiXm5ycJu2aq%2FJTA%2BEmFnhZZPphhLJMS389zG%2BI%2Bn4F%2FCgPygQrw%2FFgm%2BpHTBZ2ybbRBdaHgmrSyQElrbIDrJ6r7WbUwSWpVHBEsut1w36hGngeldoniAbxBzRlmhz4fg3ZblkYyx62nUyDXhUwbHTcjCqjVGOYlgKtYpy2YuTfs0LRf42yG6I58t%2BXt4MW6fh5QTLuYk1t%2Fn0Fak6Edo8MOH%2B%2FUVCA%3D%3D|tkp%3ABFBMgMyCwL1m Ammonium sulphate is used as a fox deterrent primarily by utilizing its **strong, pungent odor** when it gets wet, which mimics the smell of a predator's urine or a contaminated area that foxes naturally avoid for safety and territorial reasons. Here is a simple breakdown of how to use it: ### 1. The Principle Foxes rely heavily on scent to communicate and navigate their territory. They instinctively avoid areas that smell like they have been marked by a rival fox, a predator, or are contaminated and unsafe. Ammonium sulphate, often sold as a lawn or garden feed, releases a foul, sharp smell (often compared to ammonia) when damp, which foxes perceive as a warning signal. ### 2. Application Method The most common method for using ammonium sulphate as a deterrent is direct scattering: 1. **Identify Target Areas:** Locate the specific points where the fox enters your garden (under a fence, through a hedge), where it digs, or where it rests. 2. **Apply the Granules:** Liberally **scatter the ammonium sulphate granules** over the target areas, focusing on entry points, around bins, and over disturbed soil. 3. **Frequency and Activation:** The deterrent works best when the granules get damp (from dew or rain). For best results, **reapply regularly,** especially after heavy rain or if you notice the fox returning. ### 3. Key Considerations * **Sourcing:** As you noted, the chemical is often found in commercial lawn products like "Scoot" or can be purchased as pure **ammonium sulphate** fertilizer from garden centers or online. * **Lawn Safety:** Since it is a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, avoid dumping large, concentrated piles on your grass, as it can cause **chemical burns** and yellowing. Scattering it thinly and strategically is key. * **Humane Method:** This method is considered **humane** as it relies solely on scent and irritation to deter the fox, not physical harm. The fox simply chooses to go elsewhere. -
hope the feedback goes to the library teams to encourage more libraries and more library use -
By Jenijenjen · Posted
and even since Tory austerity, they've been opening new build modern libraries - Canada Water, Camberwell, Una Marson, Grove Vale. -
Agree! I feel very lucky to live in a borough that has such great libraries.
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