Our Foxwatch Anti Fox Deterrents ..... But how did they perform?
Background
Foxes are becoming more and more of a nuisance here. Increased incidence of tents being ripped and food being stolen. For background to some of the problems read our previous reports over the past few years
We have tried surrounding the tent in a pepper spray and even urinating on the ground. To no effect. The only thing that has worked has been having a dog either with us or in the vicinity of the camp. For the past year we have been trialing the following product.
Fox at the col de Carihuela
The Foxwatch Ultrasonic Deterrent
The Foxwatch Ultrasonic Deterrent
RRP approx €65 Dimensions: H 16.5cm x W 9cm x D 5cm (H 6 1/2" x W 3 1/2" x D 2") Weight 179gm including battery
Manufacturers blurb.......
At Foxolutions we have tested a number of Ultrasonic devices and the Foxwatch unit is the only one that we are prepared to put our name to. Don't be fooled by cheaper models or those that claim to deter a range of different species. Foxwatch is the most successful ultrasonic fox deterrent ever invented, and the reason is simple; Uniquely, each time the fox approaches its body heat and movement are detected and activate an ultrasound alarm (calibrated to be extremely loud to foxes ears but inaudible to humans). As the fox retreats the alarm stops and in this way the fox learns to associate its movement with the noise and give a wide berth to the protected area of over 1,350sq ft. Other ultrasonic fox deterrents do not do this. They simply emit a random or permanent ultrasound signal regardless of whether a fox is present or not. As a result any passing fox soon realises the constant sound of the alarm is not caused by them and therefore becomes immune to its effects.
Website http://www.foxolutions.co.uk/fox-deterrents/foxwatch
Did it work though?
Because we tend to wild camp at isolated and non popular locations, for a while we couldn't decide if there were no foxes due to (a) the ultrasonic deterrent worked or (b) there were in fact no foxes!!!!
However over the last two months we have become confident that the Foxwatch Ultrasonic Deterrent really does work. Why? Well, we have been camping at some of the more popular locations, such as at the beautiful Laguna Hondera in the valley of Siete Lagunas. And whilst our campsites were not disturbed, our human neighbours had problems throughout the night. Lots of shouting, screaming ensuing! Why were we then left unmolested?
If you do invest in one of these gadgets then it would be wise to have a spare battery. They last a long time but this does depend on exactly where you place the device. One night I had it covering the entrance to our tent and also a client in a bivvy bag. He moved around a lot in the night in his bivvy bag, setting off the light and ultrasound over and over again. Next morning the battery was nearly out. Place it far enough away from your tents to not trigger alarms constantly. The manufacturers suggest within 40ft (almost 13m).
In Summary - works well and an essential addition to our summer high level trekking tours in the Sierra Nevada
Wild Camping by Laguna Hondera at Siete Lagunas