Bargain homemade spray to stop foxes and cats pooing in your garden

Foxes and cats - known for their innate curiosity and territorial habits - can be a nuisance in gardens. But there's a humane and permanent solution to keep them at bay.

While it might be charming to spot these animals around the neighbourhood, they can become a real headache if they start digging up your flower beds or using your plants as a toilet, undoing all your efforts.

However, London-based urban farmer and gardening expert Alessandro Vitale has shared a simple homemade remedy that promises to deter these crafty creatures from wreaking havoc in your green space. In an online tutorial, Alessandro reveals his method to "repel and from your growing space without using any sort of chemical."

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He said: "After seven years or so that I've been dealing with foxes, I've learned a few tips to avoid issues in my garden. I found out that plants with a strong smell are ideal to keep foxes away from your garden." The acute senses of both foxes and cats make them particularly sensitive to certain odours, which is why Alessandro's homemade repellent spray is not only effective but also cost-efficient, with all ingredients adding up to less than £1, reports .

Alessandro said: "Among all the homemade remedies I have tried, this is so far the most effective. And really easy to make."

Here's how to create your own fox and cat repellent for the garden

You will need:

• Six cups of water
• One cup of basil leaves
• Sage
• Four cloves of garlic or one onion
• Fresh geranium leaves (optional)
• Spray bottle
• Pot with a lid
• Strainer

Instructions:

To kick things off, start by heating six cups of water in a pot on your stove. Alessandro advised: "You don't need to bring it to boil, but to the point it is almost boiling." Then get chopping - basil leaves first, adding one cup to your nearly-boiling water.

If you've got geranium leaves, chop and add those too. Next up, tackle the garlic cloves; peel, chop, and toss them into the mix. Alessandro mentioned that if you're not a fan of garlic, a big onion will do the trick as a substitute. Finally, slice some sage and introduce it to the pot.

Lower the heat for a gentle simmer, pop the lid on, and let it bubble away for half an hour. After cooking, take the pot off the stove and let the concoction cool down. When it's completely chilled, strain the solids from the liquid into a fresh pot. Pour the fragrant liquid into a spray bottle, or lay the veggie remnants around your garden's edge to deter foxes and cats.

Spritz your garden with this herbal potion every few weeks to keep the critters at bay permanently. Alessandro explained: "This mix of strongly scented herbs is known to repel foxes and other kinds of animals. Repeat the process every two weeks when the scent wears off or after a heavy rain."