Foxes can cause a lot of frustration when they start digging up gardens and flower beds. Foxes may dig for several reasons. They can bury food, investigate interesting smells or search for insects.
If you are repeatedly repairing damaged grass, grass reinforcement mesh could provide a practical way to protect vulnerable areas while allowing the grass underneath to continue growing.
Why do foxes dig up grass?
Foxes are natural foragers, so digging is a normal part of their behaviour. Unfortunately, that can mean a garden quickly develops holes and patches of exposed soil.
One common reason for digging is the presence of food beneath the surface. Foxes eat a varied diet and may search for insects, worms and other invertebrates. Chafer grubs are a particular problem for grassy areas because they feed on grass roots, and foxes can rip up turf to reach them.
Foxes may also dig to bury leftover food or investigate smells. Newly planted areas can be especially tempting if animal-derived fertilisers such as bonemeal or dried blood have been used, as these can attract foxes.
Whatever the reason, repeated digging can leave a lawn looking untidy and create more work.
How can grass reinforcement mesh help?
Grass protection mesh provides a physical layer of protection across the surface of the ground. Rather than leaving vulnerable turf completely exposed, mesh creates a durable covering that can make it much more difficult for foxes to get directly to the soil.
This can be useful in areas where foxes repeatedly return to the same patch of grass.
Grass reinforcement mesh is designed with openings that allow grass to grow through them, meaning they do not sacrifice the appearance of grassed areas in gardens. Our reinforcement mesh features openings that are designed to support grass growth while protecting the underlying ground.
The mesh can therefore protect the surface and maintain a usable grassed area.
Protecting vulnerable areas from repeated digging
If a fox has identified a particular section of your garden as a reliable source of food, filling in the holes may not solve the problem. The fox can return and dig the same area again.
Covering the affected section with reinforcement mesh can provide an additional physical deterrent. Once securely installed, the mat sits across the surface, making it considerably harder for an animal to access and disturb the soil underneath.
Grass protection mesh can be particularly useful for:
- Lawns that are repeatedly being dug up
- Areas containing vulnerable grass
- High-use sections of gardens and grounds
- Areas where soil erosion is also a concern
- Grassed areas that need protection while remaining accessible
It is important to remember that our mesh is not a guaranteed fox-proof solution. Foxes are adaptable animals and can dig around, underneath or beyond the mesh if they are particularly motivated. However, protecting the most vulnerable areas can reduce the opportunity for repeated surface damage.
Grass mesh can protect more than just against foxes
One of the benefits of using grass protection mesh is that it can address several ground-management problems at the same time.
Foxes aren’t the only animals that can cause damage to lawns. Badgers and birds can also disturb the ground while searching for food.
At the same time, grass can become damaged by regular foot traffic, vehicles, animals and poor weather. Once the surface becomes worn or muddy, it can be increasingly difficult for healthy grass to recover.
Grass protection mesh provides a durable surface that helps to protect the ground from heavy use while allowing grass to grow through the openings. Our range includes lite, medium and heavy options that are suitable for a range of settings and uses.
This makes them useful wherever maintaining healthy grass and protecting the underlying ground are both priorities.
How to use mesh to protect against foxes
Before installing grass protection mesh, it is worth identifying why foxes are attracted to the area in the first place.
Prior to preparing the ground, check that any holes are superficial digging rather than an occupied animal den or burrow. Do not block or disturb an occupied fox earth. If you are unsure what has created a larger hole or whether it is in use, seek appropriate wildlife advice before filling it or installing matting over the area.
Once the area has been prepared, the mesh can be laid over the vulnerable ground and secured appropriately. We recommend preparing the surface, ensuring it is suitable and laying the mat with the openings facing upwards. On slopes, the mesh should be positioned horizontally to help prevent movement.
For areas where larger volumes of mesh are required, they can be joined together to provide wider coverage.
General Tips for Wildlife Management
Protecting your garden from fox damage does not necessarily mean trying to remove foxes from the area altogether. Sensible wildlife management is about reducing conflict while allowing wildlife to continue using suitable habitats. Simple measures can often make a garden less attractive to persistent digging without causing unnecessary disturbance.
Avoid leaving food waste, pet food or other potential food sources accessible outside, and make sure bins are securely closed. If you use fertilisers or other products that contain animal-derived ingredients, consider whether these could be contributing to the problem. Keeping lawns and borders well maintained can also make it easier to spot new signs of digging or other wildlife activity.
It is also important to avoid interfering with active dens, nests or other places where wildlife may be sheltering. Foxes and other wild animals can become particularly vulnerable during breeding periods, so any significant wildlife issue should be approached carefully. Where you are unsure whether an animal is using a particular area, seek advice from an appropriately qualified wildlife professional before taking action.
Combining preventative measures with physical protection, such as grass reinforcement mesh, can provide a more proportionate approach than repeatedly trying to remove wildlife from a garden. The aim is to protect the areas that need it while allowing wildlife to move through and use the wider environment naturally.
A practical way to protect your lawn
There is no single solution that will prevent every fox from entering a garden or guarantee that digging will stop. Completely excluding urban foxes from gardens can be difficult, as they are capable of climbing over or digging beneath conventional barriers.
Instead, protecting the areas most susceptible to damage can be a more practical approach.
Grass protection mesh provides a strong, durable layer over the surface while allowing grass to grow through their openings. This means you can protect vulnerable ground without necessarily replacing a lawn with a hard surface.
If foxes are repeatedly turning your lawn into a patchwork of holes, combining sensible wildlife management with physical ground protection could help. Grass protection mesh offers a practical way to protect grassed areas from disturbance, reduce surface damage and keep your ground more usable throughout the year.
