How to Stop Foxes Getting Into Your Wheelie Bins

If you've ever woken up to find your bin bags ripped apart and rubbish scattered across your garden, you've likely got a fox problem. Urban foxes are increasingly bold, and your wheelie bins are an easy target.

Urban fox scavenging through tipped over wheelie bin with rubbish scattered on street at night

Here's how to stop foxes getting into your bins and keep your property clean.

Why Do Foxes Target Wheelie Bins?

Foxes are opportunistic feeders. In urban and suburban areas like Essex, they've learned that bins are a reliable food source. They're attracted to:

• Food waste smells (especially meat, fish, and cooked food)

• Easy access through loose lids or bin bags left outside bins

• Quiet, undisturbed bin areas at night

• Regular "feeding times" when bins are put out for collection

A fox's sense of smell is incredibly powerful – they can detect food waste from a significant distance. Once they've found a reliable food source, they'll return night after night.

How Foxes Get Into Bins

Foxes are clever and determined. They can:

Push open loose lids: If your bin lid doesn't close securely, a fox can easily push it open with their nose or paws.

Tip bins over: Foxes will knock wheelie bins onto their side to access the contents, especially if the bin isn't full and is easy to topple.

Climb and jump: Foxes are excellent climbers. They can scale fences and jump onto bin lids from nearby walls.

Chew through bin bags: If bags are left outside the bin (or the lid is open), foxes will rip them apart in seconds.

Open food caddy lids: Many foxes have learned how to flip open the latch-style lids on food waste caddies.

9 Ways to Fox-Proof Your Wheelie Bins

1. Keep lids securely closed

This is your first line of defence. Make sure your bin lid closes fully with no gaps. If the lid is damaged or warped, contact your council for a replacement.

For extra security, use a bungee cord, bin strap, or purpose-made bin lock to hold the lid down. This prevents foxes from pushing it open.

2. Weigh down the lid

Place a heavy object on top of your bin lid – a brick, paving slab, or heavy plant pot works well. This stops foxes from nudging the lid open and makes it harder to tip the bin over.

3. Store bins against a wall

Position your bins with the lid side against a wall or fence. This makes it much harder for foxes to access the lid or tip the bin over.

4. Don't put bins out early

Put your bins out on the morning of collection, not the night before. The longer bins sit at the kerb, the more time foxes have to investigate.

If you must put bins out the night before, do it as late as possible.

5. Never leave bin bags outside the bin

This is an open invitation for foxes. If your bin is full, store extra bags in your garage, shed, or indoors until collection day. Never leave bags on top of or beside your bin.

6. Double-bag food waste

Wrap food scraps – especially meat, fish, and cooked food – in newspaper before bagging. Double-bag particularly smelly items. The extra layers help contain odours that attract foxes.

7. Use scent deterrents

Foxes hate certain smells. Try these natural deterrents around your bin area:

• Citrus: Orange and lemon peels, or citrus-scented sprays

• Garlic: Crushed garlic cloves or garlic spray

• Chilli: Sprinkle chilli powder or cayenne pepper around bins

• White vinegar: Spray diluted vinegar on and around bins

• Essential oils: Eucalyptus, citronella, or peppermint oil on cloths near bins
  

Reapply after rain for continued effectiveness.

8. Keep bins clean

A dirty bin with built-up food residue broadcasts a strong smell that attracts foxes from far away. Regular professional cleaning eliminates these odours at the source.

At JustBinCleaned, we sanitise and deodorise bins so they don't smell like a fox buffet.

9. Secure your food waste caddy

Food caddies are a particular target because they're small, easy to tip, and full of concentrated food smells. Options include:

• Store the caddy inside a larger wheelie bin

• Use a caddy with a locking lid

• Keep it in a secure bin store or shed between collections

• Place a weight on top

What About Ultrasonic Deterrents?

Ultrasonic fox deterrents emit high-frequency sounds that foxes find unpleasant. They can be effective, but results vary. Some foxes become habituated to the sound over time.

If you try one, position it near your bin area and follow the manufacturer's instructions. They work best as part of a combined approach with other deterrents.

Fox-Proof Bin Stores

If foxes are a persistent problem, consider investing in a lockable bin store or enclosure. These wooden or metal structures keep bins completely inaccessible to foxes while still allowing easy access for you and bin collectors.

Prices range from £50 for basic models to £200+ for larger or more decorative options.

What to Do If Foxes Have Already Raided Your Bin

If you wake up to rubbish strewn across your garden:

1. Clean up promptly – Don't leave waste lying around as it will attract more pests

2. Check for damage – Inspect your bin for holes or cracks that make it easier to access

3. Clean the bin – Remove any food residue and odours that attracted the fox

4. Implement deterrents – Start using the prevention methods above immediately
   

Foxes are creatures of habit. Once they've found food at your bins, they'll return. You need to break the cycle by removing the food reward and making access difficult.

Why Clean Bins Help Deter Foxes

Foxes find your bins by smell. A dirty bin with weeks of built-up food residue is like a beacon announcing "food here!" to every fox in the neighbourhood.

Professional bin cleaning eliminates these odours completely. Our sanitising treatment destroys the bacteria that cause smells, and our deodoriser leaves bins smelling neutral rather than appetising to wildlife.

Customers who switch to regular bin cleaning often notice a significant reduction in fox activity around their bins.

Keep Foxes Out of Your Bins

Foxes are a fact of life in Essex, but they don't have to turn your garden into a rubbish tip every night. With secure lids, smart deterrents, and clean bins, you can enjoy a fox-free morning.

JustBinCleaned serves Basildon, Southend, Chelmsford, Brentwood, Grays, Pitsea, and all surrounding Essex areas.

Book online: justbincleaned.co.uk | Call: 07518 111 799