Forum Topic

How to Discourage Cats from Gardens

Some advice please.I have a very small courtyard garden and am in the progress of growing some vegetables in varying sizes of tubs. However I am having some problems in keeping a couple of the local cats from using them as their toilet. So far I have lost a couple of tomoato plants, garlic and some parsnips.I would like to state here and now that I am very fond of cats and don't want to harm them so any constructive advise will be very helpful.

J Smith ● 5990d17 Comments

Cats hate citrus, so you could sprinkle orange juice or grated rinds. They are also afraid of anything snake-like, and will often shy away from things like a coiled hose, bike inner tube or umbrella handle. They hate the vacuum cleaner (when my elderly cat started using a corner of the carpet as a loo, placing some vac attachments on the spot kept her away). And of course water. A little spray from a water pistol is harmless and will make them wary of your garden if you can catch them a couple of times.

Becky Bell ● 5990d

I knew that citrus helped deter cats - my sister used the same method to stop her cat from using the neighbour's flat roof, however Bertie (the cat) was very good at jumping over the orange rind. Isn't there a powder or spray you can get that won't harm plants but will deter the most inquisitive of cats?

J Smith ● 5990d

We have a neighbouring cat that comes into our garden, digs up plants, poo's on the path and annoys our dog.Someone recommended a product called "Get off" available in either a spray, or a green gel crystals (Wilkinsons - both @ £2.98 each). Tried putting the green gel - which has a horrible chemical smell - along top of the fence, the wind blew it away and the cat was back earlier sitting on top of the shed. Will have to try and put the gel into some sort of holders and try again.Someone else suggested crushed moth balls, but havn't tried that yet.

Chris Edwards ● 5990d

I have heard that pepper is very good and does not damage plants.  Good Luck

Kathy McBride ● 5990d

I can vouch for pepper.  I sprinkled whole black peppercorns in my tubs and have had no problems since.  Hope you enjoy your veg.

Christine Mills ● 5990d

'I sprinkled whole black peppercorns in my tubs'...Does that also mean less seasoning in their cooking? :)

Alan Brainsby ● 5989d

Get a dog.

Graham Weeks ● 5989d

How about Lion Dung...http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-Roar-Lion-Manure-Repellant/dp/B0002B7OT2

Lawrence Tan ● 5989d

Afraid not allowed pets and I'm not overly fond of dogs.

J Smith ● 5989d

Yes I have tried lion dung before in the past - it just seems to encourage them further!

J Smith ● 5989d

I can vouch for the effectiveness of a good water pistol (Super Soaker or whatever Channel 5's Gadget Show recommends - have a look at its website). There was a really nasty cat that used to attack our neighbour's old cat + a couple of kittens that used to congregate on our walls. I got it with the Super Soaker and it ran off. It returned about a week later, and I got it again. It never came back. Great fun too....

D Fox ● 5988d

Think the super duper water pistol sounds good. Tried the green Get Off jelly - in pots around garden and nailed to top of fence.Let my dog in garden about 5 this morning, and there was the cat sitting on top of fence by the green jelly pot. Looked like it was inhaling the fumes. Possibly a glue sniffer in a past life!

Chris Edwards ● 5982d

The risk there is that some dogs like to eat cat poo, and it doesn't do much for their breath!!!

Bryan Betts ● 5981d

I had a similar problem. I used an "mega sonic" device from Robert Dyas. Not cheap, but it worked for me.They don't seem to be advertising the version that I bought - the following seems to be the latest modelhttp://www.robertdyas.co.uk/P~133146~The+Big+Cheese+Cat+Repeller

Mark Forster ● 5964d

Mohth balls as recomended by our wonderful Robert Dyers ,,,,,,sadly no longer there.Crush  mohth balls and spread them all around the garden and it works for months on end.I went to the Broadway to Robert Dyers and asked for the mohth balls last week and was told that due to some stupid Euro Law they cannot sell them any more.Does anyone know where i can get them?

ajit singh ● 5919d

How about a pound shop - they do all sorts of things in there and may be able to accomodate you, either that or a hardware shop.

J Smith ● 5918d

Re mothballs - you can get the proper ones on ebay and amazon

J Smith ● 5917d