In May, homeowners often find themselves dealing with visits from foxes. These critters sniff around the yard and mark the front door and walls with urine, leaving behind a strong, musky ammonia smell. One effective and humane way to protect your home is to spray the entrance area with a homemade lemon spray, since wild animals are sensitive to strong citrus scents and will avoid places like that. To make this non-toxic repellent, just boil 2–3 sliced lemons in a liter of water for 15 minutes. After it cools, strain the liquid and spray it on door frames, stone surfaces, and flower pots. If you want, you can add a little vinegar or citronella essential oil to make it last longer.
Sometimes in May, homeowners say they’ve seen strange visitors at night near their homes. Cameras at the front doors capture foxes sniffing around flower pots and yards, as well as leaving urine marks on doors and walls. It might seem harmless at first, but Newsweek says that territorial marking can leave a pretty nasty smell that’s hard to get rid of.
So, homeowners should spray their front doors with lemon spray in May.
As the article mentioned, wild animals might be drawn to the entrance area because of various smells like food, shopping bags, or pet food.
According to experts, fox urine has a very strong smell because it’s got high levels of ammonia and musky compounds. When it seeps through brick or stone, that smell can stick around for weeks.
How lemon works
The publication says that foxes have a super sensitive nose and are really into strong citrus scents. So, for example, the smell of lemon can keep them away, mess with their sense of direction, and make them think the area is already occupied.
Experts say this method is humane and non-toxic, since it doesn’t harm animals or the environment.
Here’s how to make the spray
Just cut up two or three lemons and boil them in a liter of water for about 15 minutes. When the liquid has cooled, strain it and put it in a spray bottle. If you want, you can add a little vinegar or a few drops of citronella oil to make the scent stronger and last longer.
Spray it around entry doors, door frames, flower pots, and other areas where foxes tend to leave their mark.
Not only does this natural solution keep animals away, but it also helps keep your entryway fresh and free of other odors during the summer.