What's Digging up these new plants?

Thanks so much for your response. I think it's most likely to be foxes just because of the location, but I guess anything is possible.

Most of the damage is in the front garden so the route in will be up the drive (!) - Not sure about a smell, will check with my client.

Assuming that it is foxes, can you suggest anything to deter them. I know cat and dog repellent can work, but you may know of something else?

GL Services said:

Fox or Badger would be my guess. I have one customer where they have a problem with Badgers and they dig up plants, dig holes and do number two's in them and dig around the turf.

Is there any signs of where they enter the property, ie under a fence and are there any signs of excrement like small holes dug in the soil with mess in them?

Do you notice a strong smell?

If you can see where they enter you maybe able to find some hair/fur from who ver is doing it. You are looking for runs which are points of travel within a property which will help locate the points of interest.

Replies

Chris Auld October 2, 2011 at 2:29pm

Your clients neighbour who is envious of the nice new garden?
Claire Brown October 2, 2011 at 3:07pm

Have they got a dog?

Just that i've had a client who's dog was the culprit to dug up plants, & holes around the rootballs - Dog was sneaky and didn't do it when the owner was around, but as I was in the garden all day, I was able to spot it when it thought it wasn't being watched!
Lisa Cox October 2, 2011 at 4:29pm

Thanks for replying Claire - they don't have a dog but would figure if dogs do it, that foxes would too don't you think?

Claire Brown said:

Have they got a dog?

Just that i've had a client who's dog was the culprit to dug up plants, & holes around the rootballs - Dog was sneaky and didn't do it when the owner was around, but as I was in the garden all day, I was able to spot it when it thought it wasn't being watched!
Lisa Cox October 2, 2011 at 4:30pm

Who knows! :-)

Chris Auld said:

Your clients neighbour who is envious of the nice new garden?
Lisa Cox October 2, 2011 at 4:35pm

Thanks so much for your response. I think it's most likely to be foxes just because of the location, but I guess anything is possible.

Most of the damage is in the front garden so the route in will be up the drive (!) - Not sure about a smell, will check with my client.

Assuming that it is foxes, can you suggest anything to deter them. I know cat and dog repellent can work, but you may know of something else?

GL Services said:

Fox or Badger would be my guess. I have one customer where they have a problem with Badgers and they dig up plants, dig holes and do number two's in them and dig around the turf.

Is there any signs of where they enter the property, ie under a fence and are there any signs of excrement like small holes dug in the soil with mess in them?

Do you notice a strong smell?

If you can see where they enter you maybe able to find some hair/fur from who ver is doing it. You are looking for runs which are points of travel within a property which will help locate the points of interest.
PRO

Phil Voice October 2, 2011 at 4:58pm

Hi Lisa

I assume the plants are being/have been watered frequently to help them into their new environment?

The watering stimulates worms into coming to the surface to feed.

Foxes and badgers are probably fairly desperate for food as it's been so dry and they are feasting on the worms (also possibly chafer grubs and leatherjackets)..

It's very common to return to a freshly turfed lawn to find the turf turned over or pulled up for the very same reason.
Dave Sewell October 2, 2011 at 9:32pm

Agree with Paul, I've noticed over the years that clients dogs are particularly fond of blood fish and bone, to the point where I don't use it.
Colin Hunt October 3, 2011 at 6:25am

Same with us, we stopped using bone meal for the same reason.
Lisa Cox October 3, 2011 at 8:30am

Thanks Paul - have you tried the creocote before?

Paul @ PPCH Services said:

It will be foxes after the blood fish and bone. Maybee try rags soaked in creocote placed at regular intervals in order to mask the smell of the blood fish and bone, after a few weeks you will be in the clear as it will have decomposed..
Lisa Cox October 3, 2011 at 8:31am

Thanks Dave - perhaps I won't use it either from now on!

Dave Sewell said:

Agree with Paul, I've noticed over the years that clients dogs are particularly fond of blood fish and bone, to the point where I don't use it.