New Year, New Pests: What to Watch for This January

Thursday 08/01/2026

Foxes, Squirrels and Rodents

Happy New Year to everyone! As January rolls in, changing weather and quieter outdoor spaces bring a new set of pest challenges for homeowners. During the colder months, animals become more active around gardens and buildings in search of food, warmth, and shelter.

Here are some of the most common pests to watch out for at this time of year, and how to deal with them effectively and humanely.

🦊Foxes

Foxes are one of the most common garden visitors in the UK. While they’re rarely aggressive, their behaviour can be highly disruptive. Gardens attract foxes with easy food sources, shelter, and quiet areas to dig. Common problems include fouling, torn turf, overturned bins, and damaged flower beds or newly laid lawns.

Because foxes are creatures of habit, they often return night after night once they’ve claimed a space. Early, humane intervention is key. Products such as Scoot Fox Repellent Concentrate: help break their scent‑marking patterns, while the Yard Guard Outdoor Ultrasonic Pest Repeller provides ongoing, hands‑off deterrence using high‑frequency sound.

In situations where live capture is required, the PestFix Professional Dog & Fox Cage offers a secure, humane option, and Premium Galvanised Hexagonal Wire Netting creates long‑lasting physical barriers to stop foxes accessing vulnerable areas.
visits.

🐿️ Squirrels

Squirrels can cause damage to roofs, lofts, fences, and gardens, particularly when searching for nesting spots during colder months. Preventative measures are essential to stop access before problems begin.
Prickle Strips can deter squirrels from climbing fences or perching on ledges, while Chimney Caps and Cowls prevent entry through unused flues.

🐀 Rodents

Rodents become especially problematic in winter, seeking warmth and shelter indoors. Mice can squeeze through gaps as small as a pen lid, which is why proofing your property remains the most effective first line of defence. Rodent-proofing solutions such as galvanised steel wire mesh, rodent-proof air brick covers, and specialist materials like Xcluder Rodent Mesh help block entry points while staying weather-resistant and durable. A proof-first approach stops infestations before they start, reducing the need for reactive treatments later on.

When activity is already present, pairing proofing with the right control tools ensures faster, more reliable results. Options Goodnature A24 Mouse Trap an automatic and humane system ideal for ongoing monitoring and rapid knockdown.

PestFix Breakback Mouse Traps , a simple and effective choice for quick, targeted control


Black Cat Rat Traps which offer robust, reusable performance for larger rodents and tougher environments; and professional rodent lure sprays, formulated to increase trap interaction and improve capture rates.

PestFix has everything you need to tackle rats, mice, squirrels, and foxes. from traps and poisons to humane deterrents and professional-grade solutions. We’re always here to help, so give us a call or drop us an email for expert advice and support.