Help me keep the cats out!!!!

[WDW Donna]

I hate when people let their cats roam outside from dawn til dusk!I don't own a cat so I don't want to be cleaning their dirt out of my garden. I have tried so many things but they seem to love MY gardens instead of their owners garden. Any ideas out there that work??

 

[Tulirose]

Oh, I think I remember reading something about this just recently. Try a quick search on this forum (I will too) and see what we come up with....

 

[Tulirose]

I found something but it is an old one. I must have read about the cats recently somewhere else. Anyway, here is a link to that thread:

Cat Out Thread

 

[Snowwark]

Welcome Donna!

The same happens to me, and it drives me crazy!! I hate stumbling upon their little surprises!

I often use a product called Critter Ridder. You sprinkle it on the soil, and the odour keeps the cats and other critters out. It doesn't hurt them, but does need to be re-applied after several days, or if it rains. I'm not sure if it's available in the U.S., but most garden centres should have a comparable product.

I've also heard of homemade remedies. A mix of water, onion, and garlic, sprayed on the soil.

Some people like to plant catnip and/or catmint, in an out-of-the way area in the yard, hoping that the cats will confine their business to that particular spot.

Thank you for the blast from the past, Tulirose!

Any other suggestions for Donna, Buds?

 

[WDW Donna]

Thanks for your suggestions, I will try the homemade recipes and see what happens. I have also heard that cats don't like the smell of marigolds, has anyone heard of that also?

 

[bananiem]

I do a concoction of water, tabasco, cayenne,etc.-whatever I have in the cabinet. Sprinkle it around the plants and even on them. Seems to keep away the cats, dogs, rabbits, and deer.I do have to reapply it after it rains. I also find that once the cats, dogs, or rabbits find a new place they don't come back. The deer, however, are another story...

 

[olena]

Critter Ridder is sold down here.

Some frustrated gardeners have used humane traps to capture the trespassers. The cats are taken to the animal shelter and the owners have to pay to get them out.

 

[DebºoºS]

We have the same problem. I'm using Critter Ridder right now. Seems to work.

 

[SJA]

Originally posted by WDW Donna
Thanks for your suggestions, I will try the homemade recipes and see what happens. I have also heard that cats don't like the smell of marigolds, has anyone heard of that also?

Umm, our garden is full of marigolds and a cat strolls through there every day.

Apparently orange peel works on some cats.