what is digging up our newly laid turf?

[nicollebol]

We laid new turf 2 weeks ago and something comes in the garden at night time and diggs at the edges where the pieces of turf connect. sometimes I find small pieces of turf ripped out and 1 morning I found the corner of a piece of turf just flipped over. Now since a few days we also find poo on the patio, it's like cat poo but a cat would surely use the soil for this. We have a high wooden fence surrounding our garden so whatever it is has to climb over the fance. Any suggestions what it may be?

[aeshna5]

It's not possible to be 100% from this, but my money would be on a Fox. They would have little problem scaling the fence + could be digging for earthworms or grubs. also they can be playful tearing bits up.

[Estwing]

Hi, was the soil bare and loose for a time before laying the turf?
I would suggest that it's a cat that has gotten used to defecating there and now that you've laid the turf it's trying to expose the soil again.
Water the turf every day so it takes faster (If you aren't already). The dampness will also put off the cat.

[artdemole]

Could it be a hedgehog getting in underneath the fence somewhere....

[nicollebol]

thanks all, I did wonder if it is a fox, although the cat thing makes sense as our garden has been mostly soil for the last few months but there is still bare soil on the edges next to the grass. I have been advised to throw pepper throughout the garden so that's what I'm going to try tonight, I hope it won't rain. I would not know how a hedgehog would get into our garden...

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by nicollebol

I would not know how a hedgehog would get into our garden...

Are the gates to your garden, solid and flushed to to the wall/ground/fence ? Hedgehogs tend not to push into very tight spaces but they are quite capable climbers and some will squeeze through surprisingly small spaces. I'm afraid pepper or other scent based deterents have only limited effect on an habituated cat - if a cat is the interloper then you'll need to do a lot of chasing to persuade it that it is no longer welcome - the pepper will help announce your intimidating presence though.

CM

[nicollebol]

OK, I have come to the conclusion that it must be a fox. Yesterday it had left it' muddy footprint on nthe plastic garden chairs to make it easier to jump the fence, this morning I found our slippers spread all over the garden with it' teethmarks in it. Would love to see what he is up to in the middle of the night...
I'm trying to upload a photo of the garden tihis morning but can't figure out how to do it, wanted to share the damage with you all...