Unwanted visitors - How to deter foxes

I have grown coleus canina for several years on the corners of the front of my property, tucked into a perennial bed near the roses.  I bought it as "Dog be gone," and it is also sold as "Bunny be gone," so must work on rodents. Because the leaves are fleshy, like a succulent, it takes rather arid conditions and can live in full sun, unlike any coleus I've seen. (I live in Southern California, USA and we get summer weather of over 100 degrees F for up to a week at a time) It spreads somewhat freely but not with long runners like my favorite pest plant, common mint.  Spreading does not occur unti l it is established.  I end up trimming back the edges, like a stand of dusty miller, to keep it within the three foot circles I have given it. I've lost it twice, due to garden makeovers, but it comes back very easily from cuttings. Dogs cannot stand it, and "snufft" when they put their nose in. It smells much stronger  than marigolds when bruised. It should be put somewhere that won't receive constant touching by legs or feet passing by. Because the leaves are not variegated, just medium green, the four-inch long, 3/4 in wide, fleshy bright purple flowers, which are very unusual, are attractive in a Mars landscape sort of way.  They are unlike other coleus I've seen.  I get good comments from passersby every year, as though I made them unusual and not God. Because of their blooms I keep them, but because of their smell they definitely should not be something one would put at the back door! Christine Gille

About the coleus canina: IT WORKS!!!  I tried it, and in a few days, no more cats and dogs around my patio! Claude, Quebec

Hi Tech

Ultrasonic and motion sensor devices that make a noise inaudible to humans or spray water when something moves into the range of the device - very effective so I've heard.