What can I spray on the grass after clearing cat poo to stop the buggers coming back?

[MrsMigginsMate]

We didn't go in the garden for a month and found nearly half a bin bags worth of cat poo! I've bought a car scarer that lights up and looks like an owl, it's ultrasonic and also has a normal alarm. I realise many cats just waltz right past them so what can I do to neutralise the residual smell so my garden doesn't smell like a litter tray to them?

I've seen review photos of those green gel crystals with poo right on top of them and powders will just wash away in this weather. I'm thinking peppermint oil will stick around longer but it would also get on their paws and I don't want to risk making them sick, anybody know if it will?

I need help before my husband dumps the bag on next doors step and causes world war 3!!!

There's a product called Silent Roar which is made of lion poo. That was quite effective in my mum's garden and she's tried everything over the years!
Do you have a friend with a dog who could visit and pee in the garden?
You can also try putting spiky branches over the area that's been used, or stick broken canes into the ground. I've found that works quite well in my flower beds.

@BeaMends

Funny... I've had cats for nearly all of my 58 years and I have never once seen a cat (either mine or other people's) do this.

You have cats so your garden is their territory.

@BeaMends

Funny... I've had cats for nearly all of my 58 years and I have never once seen a cat (either mine or other people's) do this.

Do what? Poo in someone else's garden? You clearly haven't been paying attention

Yeah sorry to burst your bubble @BeaMends but your cats are regularly shitting all over your neighbours lawns and they probably hate you for it. They won't dirty up their own lawns, it's a territory thing, they will be doing it elsewhere. I regularly watch then doing it from the kitchen window, smack bang in the middle of the grass and not burying it. 4 different regular visitors all with the same behaviour.

@BeaMends oh and the reason you don't see anyone else's cat shit in your garden is cos they're scared off by the scent of your cats.

My cat uses her litter tray but my lawn is covered in fox poo. I have yet to find out who to complain to.

Yep, I've watched them doing it.

Time to stop watching and get a super soaker, no need to aim at the cat but near to it will do.

The fox poo thing is always trotted out
People are quick enough to point out cats roam when it comes to refusing to take responsibility for their shit, but soon wail and whine when that roaming instinct results in accidents and injuries.
The OP has SEEN them.
As did I.
Believe people when they say these things. They have no reason to lie.

@Chewwithyourfuckingmouthclosed

The fox poo thing is always trotted out People are quick enough to point out cats roam when it comes to refusing to take responsibility for their shit, but soon wail and whine when that roaming instinct results in accidents and injuries. The OP has SEEN them. As did I. Believe people when they say these things. They have no reason to lie.

Fox poo happens too though. I have SEEN them do it But they come to ours for supper so can't moan too much.

Maybe some people have a mix of both?

But definitely if you see cats doing it you should scare them off by whatever humane means you have.

@Sparklingbrook I've tried catching them and scaring them off but it's a bit difficult when you have to go through 2 baby gates with a toddler hanging off your ankle trying to squeeze through after you, before unlocking the back door. Never get there in time to spray them, only to wave my arms as they're already hopping over the fence after leaving their little presents.

I'm also out of the house for a good chunk of the day so they get a lot of time to themselves in our garden!

I'm a cat owner, it's annoying. Here's an easy, harmless solution.

Go to your local bargain store. Buy a big tub of the cheapest chilli powder and curry powder you can find. Sprinkle liberally around your garden.

Their snitches will be too sensitive to the smell and they should bugger off, if not immediately, certainly when they get some on their paws then wash themselves.

Of course you may attract all manner of local drunks sniffing out the nearest Indian Takeaway

[quote MrsMigginsMate]@Sparklingbrook I've tried catching them and scaring them off but it's a bit difficult when you have to go through 2 baby gates with a toddler hanging off your ankle trying to squeeze through after you, before unlocking the back door. Never get there in time to spray them, only to wave my arms as they're already hopping over the fence after leaving their little presents.[/quote]
You could always take aim from the kitchen window?

Why is the "foxes do it too" argument remotely valid? . Foxes roam wild, nobody is responsible for them.
People choose to have cats, then make no effort to litter train them.
You'd be hopping mad if next door's dog was climbing the fence and shitting all over your garden

@JuliaJohnston

Why is the "foxes do it too" argument remotely valid? . Foxes roam wild, nobody is responsible for them. People choose to have cats, then make no effort to litter train them. You'd be hopping mad if next door's dog was climbing the fence and shitting all over your garden

I don't know what the comparison between cats and dogs comes up. Apples and oranges. Although dogs will shit on your front lawn while their owner's back is turned given the chance.

What about stray cats' pooing on the lawn?

I don't know what the comparison between cats and dogs comes up
What are you confused about? It's as relevant as cats and foxes 😂😂😂

@JuliaJohnston

I don't know what the comparison between cats and dogs comes up What are you confused about? It's as relevant as cats and foxes 😂😂😂

I am not confused. The deal and obligation between owning cats and dogs is completely different.

@Sparklingbrook I can't aim from the kitchen window as the conservatory covers it. So from my sink I can see directly through the kitchen window, and then through the conservatory glass to the garden but to rush out I have get through a gate across the middle of the kitchen then a gate across the conservatory door, then the back door leads out from the conservatory. Its a weird set up but we didn't build it and don't have the funds to change things around yet.

I think you're all right that there is a turf war. We are the only neutral house without a cat or a dog along the "cat motorway", aka the fences adjoining all our back to back gardens along the row.

We were in this position last house -www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-cat-dog-repellent-granules-500g/p/0330910 - this was most effective thing though if you have an outdoor tap a water scarcrow is best.

We actually like cats (we have two now indoor with access to a catio and lots of climbing shelves and cat trees in house) - but cat poo and toddlers and young kids was a real pain.

[quote MrsMigginsMate]@Sparklingbrook I can't aim from the kitchen window as the conservatory covers it. So from my sink I can see directly through the kitchen window, and then through the conservatory glass to the garden but to rush out I have get through a gate across the middle of the kitchen then a gate across the conservatory door, then the back door leads out from the conservatory. Its a weird set up but we didn't build it and don't have the funds to change things around yet.[/quote]
It does sound complicated.

Ferret scent or human urine when DS was potty training I emptied the pee in the soil I read it here.
They still visit occassional but do not leave a mess.
DH peed in our garden and it worked, surprisingly it does.

I believe that there is a motion sensor available which can be connected to a hose pipe. When it is triggered whatever activated it then gets sprayed.

In my last house, observed cat shit placed perfectly atop a football in a snowy garden (quite impressed, albeit grossed out) and on the very bottom bit of the DCs' slide (not remotely impressed, just grossed out).

The burying thing is selective at best, IME.

My cats all shit in my own garden as there are loads of big scary unneutered toms about that beat them up if they leave 🤣

Including the postie.