Question
Hi Stephen. I live in Central Florida in a subdivision, quaint but well-
populated community, with one of the few citrus groves left nearby. There's
also a spring-fed lake a block away. There's an old fox that's often here and
I've also had raccoons digging in my yard at night (for grubs?). Don't want
harm to them but don't want them hanging out in my yard either. Any good
hints to help discourage them?

Answer
Not sure what the problem is with the fox. But the way to stop him from getting to your yard is fencing him out. Sure you can spend a lot of money on this or that repellent but when you really want to do what works, then you will be back to the fence. I just figure why waste the money and time in the short-term and solve the problem.

As for the raccoon, fencing also works provided the fence has an electric current at the top (see an electric fence distributor for details) or is built with an appropriate hang-over to stop climbing. Raccoons also eat worms. I would suggest grub control to prevent next year's damage. But understand, you have had animals cruising through your yard for years, you just didn't see them.  

Stopping transient animals is very difficult short of removing food supply or exclusion.  Since you have already ruled out trapping, then that is all you have left that actually works.  Details can be found at http://icwdm.org