Talkback: Cats and foxes
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They(foxes) are good at keeping the urban rat in control too, Richard. When the population was decimated by the mange in Bristol rat holes appeared in many gardens that had not seen them before. I do not have a cat but the neighbours' cats are all friendly and like to watch me working in the garden - preparing tomorrows' toilet, I think! When the cats are absent or asleep in the sunshine the fox will venture out but keeps his distance.
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When we had a dog, the local fox would often torment it. The dog's favourite place to lay down and sleep indoors was by the (closed) patio doors. The fox would often come upto the patio door, and tap to get the dog's attention. The dog would then turn in demented circles barking, and scratching at the door to get out. We never did open the door, but sometimes thought we should to wipe that smug smile off the fox's face that we swore would appear as he sat there calmly watching the dog!
We have been out in the evening and found it lying in straw in our barn and it was in no hurry to get out of our way!
I'm so fed up of the wretched creatures digging up & fouling my garden. Last year they pooed in my potatoes.
Cat owners annoy me coz they say that it's the gardener's fault for having a bit of bare earth. I think they should keep their moggy inside & train it to use a litter tray & clear up the poo themselves. Dog owners are finned if they are caught allowing their dog to foul. Same should apply to cat owners!
It annoys me so much that there are times when I feel like concreting my garden all over & forgetting about growing anything!
Anyone got any ideas on how to prevent cats from coming in to my garden? And how to keep the blasted things out?
I should add that I own two cats myself so I certainly don't agree that cats should be kept indoors. If they're not allowed to roam about they can become overweight through lack of exercise and even develop behavioural problems due to boredom and stress.
I do sympathise with you because I know how much mess they can make, but there are humane ways of deterring them.
bit of hose on the soil in curves, the cats appear to think it is a snake and don't
come back. Good luck!
I also have had a fox fouling the back garden, but at least he kept to the patio
where it is easily cleaned up. Last winter a deer came into the front garden in
the snow, must have been looking for leaves to eat. Sadly I didn't see him, only his hoof prints in the snow.
I have had success with chilli powder in my bird feeders to keep the squirrels from
helping themselves.