Sorry... but cats.

Desthemoaner

I've tried to avoid posting about this because its emotive to some, but I need advice. 

We've had a sporadic problem with cats defecating in our garden. Perhaps once every few weeks, quite manageable, though removing the filth does turn your stomach even if it only has to be done once a month.

However, new neighbours--very nice people, it seems--have moved in, and they have a cat. This creature has made a beeline for our garden and has become a regular defecating guest. Crikey, it reeks. I have those cat scarer ultrasonic things, but so far they've proved ineffective with this particular beast. I've tried the orange peel, bottles of water, sticks stuck in the ground, blah blah...none of it works.

Its not possible to totally secure the garden because our perimeters are largely hedged and there are too many gaps through which the animals can come to make it practical to close them.

I did buy one of those gizmos that connects to a garden hose and operates automatically in response to movement,  but I've never used it. We're on a water meter and I'm afraid it might stick on and empty my bank account. 

 I have a large water pistol and would happily direct a burst from both barrels as an antidote, but it would probably mean waiting up all night for our visitor. 

Has anyone tried any other solutions that actually work? 

Dave Humby

Lots of threads on this topic on the forum. You should find plenty of debate with a quick search. 

Blue Onion

Have you gone and spoken with the new neighbors?  Maybe a polite conversation may make them aware of the issue, and they will make an effort to keep it in their yard.  I think many outdoor cat owners are just naive to the problems their pets cause others.   

You could put put a timer switch on the cat sprayer.. only sending pressure to the hose for a short time multiple times a day, to 'recharge' any discharge from the hose.  That way it's not on all the time, and less likely to spring a leak.  Get yourself a brand new hose as well, rather than risk an older one.  

Singing Gardener

The cats will go on avoiding the garden for ages after they've been caught by a water scarecrow a few times so you can get away with only switching it on occasionally when you're there to keep an eye that it doesn't go wrong.

Fire

If on a metre, try the scarecrow for a month and check your readings/bill. That will tell if there is a problem.

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Fairygirl

They don't stay on Des. They're motion sensitive 
If you move it around now and again, that will catch it out too. A few goes with that will possibly deter it fo a while. I use one here - it's the only thing that works. I've buried the hose, and then I have a piece I can join on so that I can position it differently now and again. For me - they tend to come in at the same points, so it's a bit easier.

The only issue with them is that when it's windy, if you have foliage in the line of fire, it'll set it off. Also - in winter, you need to protect from frost or they burst. 
I think it's worth it [the extra water charges] to save yourself the stress. 

The Bald Gardener

Try the shoe box method.  

Have a poo in a shoe box (after 'curry night' is best), wrap it up (the shoe box) and give it to your neighbour in the guise of a housewarming present. When they open it and after the dry boak has subsided and you have their attention; politely inform them that that is what their cat is leaving you as a present every other day and would they care to comment.

Might not speak to you again, but I'll guarantee you will have made your point.  

Desthemoaner

 "Poo in a box" might provide a wry chortle in the short term, but we get on OK with the newish neighbours thus far, and that's one pitch I'm not keen to queer ( I know...you're joking. Aren't you?). Might still have a word with them,  gently point out the issue and ask for their assistance. "Put the poo in their court", so to speak.

Fairy, I know those water thingies are not designed to stay on, but I have little faith in cheap electronic devices of any kind. However, looks like that option gets the vote, so having checked mine and found that through lack of use its turned up its toes, I'll invest in a new one.

I suppose I could also invest in a water butt pump for that specific purpose.

Singing Gardener

And you'll only get soaked a few times yourself before you get used to turning the water scarecrow off when you want to be in the garden.....

Fire

I looked into using one with a butt, and it seemed that the scarer depends on high hose water pressure (for the scary bit), which a butt cannot provide. Although there might be a electric pump gizmo somewhere that might help the situ.