Strange smell in ho...
 

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Strange smell in house... issue identified

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 IMG_8341.jpeg

We've been getting a cat-piss like smell in parts of the house that we coudn't locate.  And were pretty sure a cat wasn't getting in.

It seems the fox thats been digging up our sedum roof is also pissing/marking the intake of our MVHR ventilation system.....


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 10:09 am
leffeboy and nicko74 reacted
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weird bug with images added not showing up? IMG_8341.jpeg 


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 10:11 am
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Well done on a solid identification.

Since Covid there are often unidentified* smells in our house.

*Some of them may be imagined 


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 10:39 am
 Yak
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Ooof, Fox pee stink mechanically pumped around your house - nice!. What's the plan? 


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 10:44 am
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What's a "MVHR ventilation system" ? I've just got windows in my house. Foxes don't piss in them 😀


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 10:51 am
oceanskipper reacted
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Google landscaper hq in London has a similar problem with foxes burrowing into the green roof. 


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 10:55 am
nicko74 reacted
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Mark your territory - piss on the intake yourself, should make the foxes keep away.


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 11:03 am
retrorick and geck0 reacted
 Yak
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Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery. Air is drawn in from outside, filtered and then if needed, heated from the outgoing exhaust air via a heat exchanger. The air is then ducted to various outlets around the house. It avoids heat loss via window ventilation and also filters airborne pollutants.  Also ideal for spreading fox pee stink around.

If you haven't got cats, then maybe try lion manure on the roof. 


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 11:15 am
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Perhaps build an enclosure made of chicken wire which seems some what fitting under the circumstances.


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 11:33 am
retrorick reacted
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Posted by: Yak

also filters airborne pollutants

Such as fox pee? 🤔


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 11:39 am
 Yak
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Except fox pee. Nothing filters fox pee. It's the top trumps of stinky pee. For a stealthy animal, they ruin it for themselves by peeing such a stench.


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 11:46 am
nicko74 reacted
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12v battery, solar panel charger can be added, 12v car windscreen wiper squirter kit, 12v proximity sensor,   Fit together

pissed the squirrels right off

 

 


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 12:10 pm
oceanskipper reacted
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Did you suspect this was the source? I’m just wondering what other reason you would have for having cctv looking at that vent?


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 12:18 pm
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CCTV on a roof, Looking for the phantom piddler, of course


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 2:05 pm
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What do you think is attracting the fox - warm air maybe? 

 

 
Posted : 18/06/2025 2:35 pm
 Yak
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Foxes and other burrowing animals in green roofs is a thing - see Google's HQ building. Foxes are everywhere now and are side by side with residential land so it's no surprise that they will investigate a green roof. Whilst a modern green roof is a well insulated 'warm' roof and shouldn't be leaking much heat upwards, it will still be warmer than the ground and safer, although not much hunts foxes anyway. So it might just be an attractive environment for a fox to attempt to burrow. But it won't get far, unless it has a really thick soil/growing substrate like the Google HQ. A domestic green roof will likely just get torn up a bit. OP - does it look like the fox attempted to burrow, but hit the membrane instead and gave up?


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 2:56 pm
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Nasty!

I just told Mrs Reeksy about this and she said our huge new eco friendly local council building has Peregrine Falcons nesting in the ventilation system so the bits of leftover prey and waste is wafting around the building.


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 4:21 pm
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Posted by: franksinatra

Did you suspect this was the source? I’m just wondering what other reason you would have for having cctv looking at that vent?

we knew the fox was hanging out and digging on the roof  but not deep. Assumed he’s just scrapped up a patch to lie in (definitely not trying to tunnel - have seen that in council beds)  

I’m already working on it  Didn’t know he was specifically marking the inlet. Guest in spare bedroom was up early and videoed him. 
first try was an essential oil based repellent.  Chilli garlic cintronella.  Basically pepper sprayed myself. Then an unholy stench of garlic for 2 days.   No impact on fox  

im now tryingscoot fox repellent .  First application it rained soon after.  Second application this morning. 

 

 


 
Posted : 18/06/2025 7:25 pm

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