Gardeners urged grim step could stop common winter pest - but only men can do it

For the most devoted gardeners, a rather unorthodox method has been touted as a means to deter foxes from gardens during the winter months. This involves urinating into a bucket and then dispersing it around the garden.

For those who have exhausted all other avenues, from scatter granules to fox netting, scarers, and an array of chemical repellents, there remains one final, drastic measure to consider in the quest to repel foxes. Foxes are generally benign visitors to gardens in the UK, as they do not carry diseases and pose little threat to other wildlife, unless you happen to keep chickens.

However, their nocturnal visits can lead to dug-up planted beds, holes in lawns, and scattered rubbish, making them a nuisance. One exasperated gardener shared with Time Out: "'A fox has destroyed my back garden. It's ripped up my lawn, dug up my raised beds, eaten my vegetables and s*** everywhere. I have a cat, so I don't want to install a deterrent that might scare him. And actually, I totally love foxes. Google advised that I wee all over the garden."

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An urban myth, tested by numerous gardeners, suggests that this method may be effective, albeit exclusively for men, due to the specific chemicals present in the liquid. Weeing in a bucket, or around your garden, could actually be an effective deterrent against foxes, who are notorious for marking their territory with scent to claim space against rival vulpines.

From the London Wildlife Trust, Tony Wileman confirmed the gardener’s suspicion: "Foxes are hard to deter, and using a company to relocate them is pointless – your garden will likely attract a new one," reports the Express.

He also acknowledged the power of human intervention, saying, "I'm afraid the wee rumour is true, though. The strong scent from human male urine (and only male urine) masks a male fox's pungent scent, and can often force them out. But you can buy urea-based products that do the same job (and won't upset your cat). The best can be expensive, so ask at a garden centre, or seek advice from the National Fox Welfare Society."

Lawn care specialists LawnTech suggested an alternative for those reluctant to go natural: "Like many animals, foxes are susceptible to territorial scent-marking. There are various products on the market which replicate the scent of a dominant male fox, usually sold as a powder which can be dissolved and either sprayed or sprinkled using a watering can. 'Marking your boundaries' like this will scare off any intruder foxes, though effects will wear off over time (particularly in times of bad weather) so repeated applications may be necessary before the would-be intruders get the message."