Bristol is widely known as the "Fox Capital" of the UK. Whether you live in Brislington, St George, or Redland, you have likely woken up to the sound of screaming foxes or found your bin bags torn open across the driveway.
And it’s not just foxes. Areas near the Frome Valley (like Snuff Mills and Stapleton) often deal with badgers digging up lawns in search of worms.
We often get asked: "How do I keep them out without hurting them?"
The answer is robust fencing. Here is how to engineer your boundary to withstand Bristol’s urban wildlife.
The Fox Problem: The Climbers
Foxes are incredibly agile. They can scale a 6ft fence with ease using a "run and scramble" technique. To stop a fox, you have to make the top of the fence uncomfortable to grip.
Solution 1: Plastic "Prickle" Strips
Forget broken glass or barbed wire (which are often illegal and dangerous to cats). We recommend Plastic Security Spikes (Prikka-Strips).
These are rigid plastic cones that screw onto the top rail of your fence. They are uncomfortable for a fox’s paws, preventing them from getting the purchase they need to haul themselves over. They are fully humane and cat-safe, but effective against foxes.
Solution 2: Eliminate the "Step Up"
Foxes are lazy. They rarely jump a 6ft fence from a standing start; they use your compost bin, garden bench, or low wall as a ladder. Move garden furniture away from the boundary line to remove their launch pad.
The Badger Problem: The Diggers
Badgers are a different beast entirely. They can't climb well, but they are incredibly strong and built for digging. A badger can barge through a rotten wooden fence panel as if it were cardboard.
Legal Warning: Badgers and their setts are protected by law. You cannot block a badger sett, and you cannot trap them in your garden. Any deterrent must be non-harmful.
Solution: Deep Concrete Gravel Boards
The weak point for a badger is the bottom of the fence. If you have a wooden panel touching the soil, a badger will claw through it in minutes.
The defense is the Concrete Gravel Board.
- We install a 300mm (1ft) solid concrete slab at the base of the fence.
- For known badger areas, we can sink this board an extra 150mm into the ground.
- This creates a solid, subterranean barrier that claws cannot penetrate.
The "Bin Raider" Solution
Often, wildlife isn't trying to live in your garden; they are just visiting for the buffet (your rubbish).
If you can't secure the whole perimeter, secure the source. We build custom Timber Bin Stores with heavy latched lids. Unlike plastic bins which can be tipped over, a timber frame is anchored to the ground/wall, making it impossible for a fox or badger to access the bags inside.
Don't Trap Them In\!
If you suspect a badger is already visiting your garden, do not seal the boundary completely overnight. If a badger gets trapped inside, it will panic and cause immense damage to your garden (and itself) trying to escape.
We recommend installing a heavy-duty one-way gate initially, allowing them to leave but not re-enter.
Tired of the mess?
You can coexist with nature without sacrificing your lawn. We can install dig-proof concrete bases and secure bin stores to keep your garden pristine.
Featured Image Image A close-up of a wooden fence with a concrete gravel board at the bottom and plastic security spikes on the top rail. Image Alt Text Concrete gravel boards and fence spikes to stop foxes and badgers in Bristol gardens. Tags Select Tags Fox Proof Fencing Badger Protection Garden Security Concrete Gravel Boards Pest Control SEO Settings Meta Title Fox & Badger Proof Fencing in Bristol: A Humane Guide Meta Description Foxes digging up your lawn? Badgers raiding bins? We explain how to use concrete gravel boards and humane spikes to secure your Bristol garden.