cats

dambuster

Hi, I have a BIG problem with cats messing on my garden. It doesn't matter if the soil is freshly dug or not, does anyone have a proven solution? Thanks.

sotongeoff

dambuster wrote (see)

Hi, I have a BIG problem with cats messing on my garden. It doesn't matter if the soil is freshly dug or not, does anyone have a proven solution? Thanks.

This subject come up every few weeks-if you use the search facility at the top of the page you will find links to previous discussions-here is just one

http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/problem-solving/cats/5487.html

 

 

Jess is in the Garden

Wherever there is any exposed earth (usually freshly turned, but not necessarily) I stick short lengths of bamboo cane into them (the earth, not the cat ) and so they can't get in to dig.

I also found that pepper dust (from garden ctr) works well to deter, though you do have to apply after rain.

There is one cat in particular who is very brazen and she additionally needs the odd squirt of water from the hose to keep her at bay

I've also heard that you can buy animal deterrent sonic machines, from places like Robert Dyas, which work by emitting a very high frequency burst of waves that animals such as cats, dogs and foxes dislike, without causing them any harm - battery or main operated.

Luckily for me I never had to resort to this, as the cats have now gotten the message.

dambuster

Thanks for your suggestions ilovemontydon I have a rather large area of garden so thats a lot of bamboo canes. I am gradually close planting the area which seems to work, but it is between the roses where the problem mostly is so will try the cane idea there.

Jess is in the Garden

I see.

My garden is small, so it's a bit easier.

Between the roses I have lots of small canes and I also liberally sprinkle pepper dust - works very well there.

If your garden is large, perhaps the sonic repellant is for you - it only switches on when it detects movement. My parents have it on their patio and balcony, where it works 100%

Good luck!

dambuster

Thanks, as we live near to a wooded area I guess strong twigs will do the job.

Caz W

I find twigs work just fine - used prunings from large fuschia in the spring - but was surprised to find lots of them started growing.  Not sure if this is a good or bad thing!

keiths lemon

i agree about the pepper it has worked very wel for me.

flowering rose

Orange peel,soot,a water pistol or you can get a sort of hooter that frightens them off.Cats can be annoying and their pooh uninviting but they will keep those rats and mice from multiplying.never a easy solution.

Jess is in the Garden

@ Carolinesmith & flowering rose

Twigs would do exactly the same asmy chopped up bamboo canes.

It's a question of interrupting their habit really - once they are irritated by your efforts to deter them, they'll figure it's easier to go elsewhere (like a neighbour's garden instead ) and stop coming to you.

I've had cats of my own and did the same with them.

dambuster

Carolinesmith Thats a good idea about using fuschia prunings as I have quite a lot, also a good way of propogating. Thanks for that.