So last week, sleeping with the 'door/window' open from our bedroom onto the flat roof over our kitchen I was woken at 3am by a fox (softly) biting my foot. I thought I knew how they got onto the roof and added some spikes to the top of that fence.
But a few nights later the fox was back. my foot was under a sheet this time and he just 'booped' it I think.
So, I could add more spikes (further back along the fence - he might be jumping over them), or to other fences (maybe need to do neighbours too) but he might just be walking over the top of them (and I need bigger spikes). So I'm thinking about a wildlife cam to work out the foxes route up.
Anyone had one of these and have a recommendation? Theres a load from about £40 on Amazon, less on aliexperess. But reviews are all over the place - one saying batteries* last weeks, with another saying they're done overnight. Quality good/terrrible. The usual.
*some seem to have inbuilt li-ion, some just run on AA's, some have a solar panel. AA batteries seem optimistic for running something recording video and images with a screen in it to me.
(Other stuff - theres a movement activated ultrasonic fox repellant next to the window and flashing Led predator eyes. They seemed to deal with the fox that was digging up the roof and pissing on the ventilation inlet last year but this guy DNGAF. I'm going to spray repellant too but he's not marking like that other one was so not sure that will have any impact.)
Calling it now, thread of the week.
Actually answering the question...
I have had at least 3 wildlife cameras. A couple of chinese branded ones and a browning. The first chinese one and the browning both succumbed to the weather and the browning wasn't any better, either from video quality or usability either.
The current chinese one ive got has wifi and that's a godsend for accessing the footage and dropping in on the live view on an ad hoc basis. Be prepared with rechargeable batteries though.
I don't use it much now because I have some blink mini cctv cameras and they are so much easier to use and run from a usb cable. If you got the mini 2's they have a built in light so that pinging on might deer Mr Reynard.
Is this code for the sexy neighbour nibbling your toes ?
Is this code for the sexy neighbour nibbling your toes ?
That would be cougar in bedroom issue, wouldn't it? 😁
Not that cougar though.....awkward.
I can honestly say this is not an issue I can provide experience of solving.
But, mesh guard over the window aperture? Maintain airflow but prevent fox-pass.
Get a dog.
That'll fox it.
I had an AliExpress one , camo n everyfin. My partner had a mouse issue so set it up in her garden to see where they were coming from. Worked fine, lots of short clips to work through (lots!) but we found the hole in the garden fence using the cam. I mean, you're not providing Attenborough with coverage for his next TV show, so why splash out?!
I'll put in a plug for the good people at NatureSpy I've had a couple of their WiFi WildCams which would be ideal for this sort of thing (assuming you have decent WiFi). You connect the camera to your home WiFi and can then access either a live camera view or the recordings that it makes from an app on your phone.
Plenty of cheaper alternatives of course but what I like about NatureSpy is that they actually give good support. I had an issue with the first one I got and couldn't work out if it was a fault or just user error. They talked me through it, decided it was a fault and sent out a replacement very quickly. They also gave me a discount off a new one when I broke one, even though it was totally my fault. This sort of support is worth a few quid to me but YMMV of course.
Can we get a video pf the fox booping your feet before you do something about it?
May I suggest a bigger trained fox to guard your feet
Failing that employ someone with a large foam hammer to bash the fox as it jumps through the window (wouldn't want to hurt it)
Also, maybe wash your feet as the smell of carrion is attracting a fox
There's a lot to unpack here. First off this
...is one of those titles that has you wondering...
I was woken at 3am by a fox (softly) biting my foot
This bit is... 😲. Like why's it biting your foot? Is it trying to work out if you're asleep enough for it to gnaw off your foot?!
Can we get a video pf the fox booping your feet before you do something about it?
A different kind of foot video from the usual sort.
But yeah, my first thought would be a flyscreen for the window. Which would have the added bonus of stopping flies flying in too 👍
Google is saying a toe nibbling fox is a sign of trust and playfulness.
Seems you've made a friend.
I had a fox (gently) bite my foot on a bivi once. I woke up to find it staring at me inquisitively. It ran off, at which point I realised it had been playing with one of my shoes, that had been right next to my head. I don't know if the bite was to see if I was dead or to wake me up because it wanted to play.
Cat software running on dog hardware.
More appropriate title?
Google is saying a toe nibbling fox is a sign of trust and playfulness.
Seems you've made a friend.
I think you might be right. When K went to check the first night it was on the far side of the roof, but when it saw her it turned and started trotting back. I'd assumed it was a 'can I eat this?' nibble but maybe it was just coming on to me.
at 3am everything's pretty weird and id' been wondering if I'd just reacted to a noise and imagined the rest, but no, theres very clearly a footprint on our (recently painted so previously clean) window cill in the 'out' direction on the right.
Magnetic Fly screen someone's mentioned was the other thing I was going to try, though waking to a fox in the bedroom fighting its way out of a plastic mesh would be even more alarming. Our cat (RIP) once laid in wait inside the bedroom and then pounced on a pigeon feeding on the sedum roof and dragged it back inside.
I'm tempted to get a camera anyway to see whats going on but actually no need for a wildlife one - looks like Tapo battery powered security cams are good quality and only £40/50 now.
How much will people pay for Fox-in-bedroom video? Now balancing interest in video evidence against risk of rabies.
www.amazon.co.uk/Tapo-Rechargeable-Continuous-TC82-KIT/dp/B0D1VN6BNB?th=1
That would be cougar in bedroom issue, wouldn't it?
Not that cougar though.....awkward.
Oh dear, he hasn't started that old caper again has he? I find that if you ask him in a firm voice "weren't you a moderator once", it distracts him long enough for you shoo him out and secure the door and windows. Good luck 👍
Been way too long since I've experienced any sort animal activity in the bedroom for me to offer advice.
Another recommendation for NatureSpy - their own brand cameras are very good, lasted better than the Browning we've got.
I'm tempted to get a camera anyway to see whats going on but actually no need for a wildlife one - looks like Tapo battery powered security cams are good quality and only £40/50 now.
I bought the same solar powered tapo camera last year. It does reasonable night vision video. Sometimes there is a delay in starting the recording so the footage might not start at the first point motion is detected.
It does pick up the cats and has been triggered by a fox walking through the garden.
Maybe you just need an indoor tapo camera for £20 pointing at the window? It could also be used for monetising your bedroom activities which would probably pay for the cost of the camera. 😉
I've got "there's a fox in mi bedroom, what am I gonna do" in my head now
Could you try a 50/50 ?
leave your foot sticking out, but covered in marmite, if it doesn’t like marmite - sorted.
We had a fox in our tent in France once. Is your house in France?
That could be the problem.
Isn't the answer always lion poo? Go to your local zoo, beg some lion poo off them and spread it around the affected areas?
I've got "there's a fox in mi bedroom, what am I gonna do" in my head
I recommend you sell your house, these guys will help.
www.foxtons.co.uk
another thing to deter foxes is to mark your territory with your wee. that is meant to work. easier than finding lion poo also.
Do you live in Basildon OP
If you want to know why the fox is coming in just ask it and tell us what it says
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jofNR_WkoCE
Go to your local zoo, beg some lion poo off them and spread it around the affected areas?
If that works will you be rexscatic?
Can we get a video pf the fox booping your feet before you do something about it?
Looking forward to the booper reel!
An easy fix would be - “Shut that door/window”
We’ve got the basic Ring camera that we use both outdoors and inside for duties like watching hedgehogs or for when mice are in the house
Ring camera?
In the bedroom?
Ding dong!
I can put the videos on my OnlyFoxes
