CATS in the backgarden

[Gorionine]

I do not generally mind cats, but lately, we have all the cats in the neighbourhood pooing in our back garden. I was wondering is there is some sort of friendly deterrent to keep them at bay? I do not know if thee is something I might have to sprinkle on it (I have 4 DCs so ideally something that deterres cats but not children!) Or are they some types of plants that would do the trick?

[GooseyLoosey]

I too await answers with interest. In my case, it does not hace to be a friendly deterrent either. DH would happily consider land mines at this point, but I would worry that I or the dcs might stand on them.

[fishie]

oh i am with you here, having picked up yet another bag full of shit yesterday.

my neighbour has recommended some sort of green crystal thing from pet shop, might have a look later. she's got a bloody cat too

[GooseyLoosey]

Is she intending to pay for it?

I do have a pump action water pistol by the front door which I use to soak the buggers. It does not seem to deter them in the slightest but it does make me feel better.

[TwistinMyMelonMan]

search the archives for cats and footballs

[Gorionine]

Fishie, do you think she puts the crystals in her garden and that is why her cats comes in yours? Are these crystals non-toxic for children?

GL, a friend of dh baught a garden hose type of thing with a sensor that sparays cats when the come in the garden but I need someting cheeper ... and I think your version might actually be more therapeutic...

TMMM, so I am not alone then?

[lovingpickles]

The product you can buy is called Scent Off and it works - I'm not sure if it is toxic to humans though (doubt it).

[Gorionine]

Thank you lovingpickles! I will check about toxicity when I buy it!

[veryembarrassedmummy]

I hope you find the answer- I spent yesterday clearing ou t my veggie raised bed- full of cat poo- ( not ours- hate cats!) covered the bed with fine netting and now today they have been back and pooed on top of the netting!!!

Those crytal things work for a while but the scent wears off- and they are expensive.

[fluffyanimal]

If you can get hold of coco-bean husk mulch and spread that on your bed, the cats don't like it (by contrast with bark chip mulch, which they love). And it's good for your soil!

[fishie]

have 'get off my garden' (£2.99) and sprinkled it. happily there was no new shit from yesterday - although rose cuttings placed in prime cat crouching areas may have helped.

[Gorionine]

Thanks fluffyanimal( you are not a cat are you?) it sounds like a good option, I will look into that as well.

[kingprawnjalfrezi]

I bought one of those sonic sensor posts which emit a high pitched noise which deters cats and foxes - seems to have worked quite well although fairly expensive - about £20 and the batteries run out quite quickly. I also have a water pistol and a pile of stones by the back door!

[TheyCallMePeachy]

Ah I hope the wink was genuine of you threw a stne atmy cat i'dcall RSPCA

OTOH if you knocked my door and said it was an issue i'd have gladly paid for the sonic thing (nobody ever has done this, mind my catb will only go over a drain strange being!)

Don't think its OTT to ask for a donation tbh

[Wigglesworth]

Something that works really well and costs hardly anything is putting clear plastic bottles (like juice bottles) filled with water in the areas the cats usually "go". They also hate anything that smells like citrus oranges, lemon etc, you could try putting the peel down in your soil too.

[HensMum]

My mum's had this problem for years and tried everything - all the things that everyone has listed and more. I think the cats round her way had some kind of vendetta against her or something!
Anyway, the only thing that ever worked was stuff called Silent Roar which is made of lion poo. The cats think there is a bigger predator around and keep away. It's not cheap, but it does work.
The other thing that always works is getting your own cat, or dog. Or lion probably.

[kingprawnjalfrezi]

Don't worry, my aim's not that good!