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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to shoot the shitters

119 replies

Gwenci · 30/08/2016 09:02

We have a small patch of garden right in front of our front door. It's a dirt area with a few plants in it. Currently quite sparse on the plant front (waiting for the ones we've planted to fecking grow!)

There are about 7 cats that live in the two houses either side of us. Every fucking one of them thinks this area is a giant litter tray.

Every fucking morning I'm sifting two or three giant cat turds out of my garden. (And with a baby and a toddler it's not like I don't already deal with more than my fair share of shit in a day.)

I've tried repellent pellets and one of those high pitched noise emitting thingies. Neither works.

Can I now start shooting at them with my DD's water pistol?

I'm at my shits end!!

OP posts:
LumpySpacedPrincess · 30/08/2016 09:37

Cats poo in our front garden and it doesn't really bother me, they don't understand who's land it is. I use gloves to garden.

Super soak away but nothing else please, cat's didn't get the memo that humans own the gardens.

Beardsareweird · 30/08/2016 09:37

I absolutely love my cat to bits but wouldn't be upset if someone used a water pistol to deter him from crapping in their garden. But please, don;t use chilli powder!!!

LumpySpacedPrincess · 30/08/2016 09:38

It is hard with youngsters though, hopefully the super soaker will work.

Original poster
Gwenci · 30/08/2016 09:40

Ok, so generally speaking, IANBU to supersoak them but chilli powder is a step too far?... Grin

OP posts:
BigDamnNCFail · 30/08/2016 09:42

I'd be fine with neighbours spraying/shooting our cats with water if they were being a nuisance. Though considering how much shit I have to clean out of their litter tray, despite them both having access to outside, I don't think our neighbours have anything to worry about

scarednoob · 30/08/2016 09:42

aren't cats supposed to hate the smell of citrus or pepper? we used to have a house in spain that the local/wild cats thought was marvellous because it was empty for so much of the year, and we had to start spraying citrus around there to keep them away. you could try that?

SuburbanRhonda · 30/08/2016 09:45

Cat poo is extremely unpleasant to deal with, I agree.

I've made a place in our garden for our two cats to use and clear it daily. Unfortunately the neighbourhood cats see it as something of a community facility!

Freshly turned-over earth is irresistible to cats. Not much you can do about that really.

Original poster
Gwenci · 30/08/2016 09:47

I think one of the pellet types I tried was citrus. One was 'aromatic plant oils' that stink of garlic!

Will look for a spray though. Or might try actual peel. Or both!

OP posts:
Original poster
Gwenci · 30/08/2016 09:49

Failing everything else it's only a small patch of garden, I could always gravel it Sad

OP posts:
SvalbardianPenguin · 30/08/2016 09:49

We have three cats that come in our back garden. Usually I feel the need to water the garden about the same time, they now run away when they see me getting the hose pipe.

Original poster
Gwenci · 30/08/2016 09:49

Hang on, do cats shit in gravel?!

OP posts:
JaniceBattersby · 30/08/2016 09:51

Cats are not compulsory. How about not getting one if you live in an urban area? I think Australia's cat laws are spot-on. You have to keep your cat in your own garden and you can be fined if it's found out and about. They manage perfectly well.

andantecantabile · 30/08/2016 09:51

I feel your pain. I cleaned up 5 separate turds earlier in the week. A day later there were two more. We've tried orange peel and the garlic granules but no luck Sad

Mouthfulofquiz · 30/08/2016 09:52

I chucked a half empty plastic bottle of water out of my bedroom window about 10cm to the left of a cat that was taking a shit on my lawn early yesterday morning. It ran off - haven't seen it since. Ive got small kids too and it's very frustrating.

BigbyWolf · 30/08/2016 09:53

Cats will Poo in gravel too.

I'd go with the chilli powder.

MuggaTea · 30/08/2016 09:54

As a cat owner, i have no objection to my neighbours using water pistols (or hoses) on my cat.

its a good deterent that does not harm the cat.

And i have seen my cat return looking very soaked and pitiful !!!

IthoughtATMwasacashpoint · 30/08/2016 09:55

Coleus Canina, also known as Scaredy Cat, cat and dog deterrent plants, available on Ebay and from garden centres.

Please don't use chilli powder. Imagine getting some in your eyes, and unlike a cat, you're able to wash it off.

MarcelineTheVampire · 30/08/2016 09:56

OP I would be fine with a water pistol- but I know some twats people who use BB guns Angry

Please be aware that my sisters cat used to get water sprayed at it all the time and used to shit in the neighbours garden anyway- used to drive the NDN mad.

SleepFreeZone · 30/08/2016 09:57

I would totally go with the chilli powder, it's a great idea.

PepsiPenguin · 30/08/2016 10:00

It must be very difficult with 8 cats in close proximity and a small child, i do feel for you. I wouldn't be happy if with cat poo in my garden and say this as a cat owner of 3.

Mine do seem to follow a schedule with their using of their boxes so if you are seeing them regularly maybe you can deter them by squirting them as your seeing them when their following their popping routine. I really wouldn't have an issue with my cat being squirted as long as it wasn't one of those super powerful ones that actually hurts when it hits you and it wasn't winter, if mine were out all day I would hate the idea of my cat to be wet and out in the cold. Agree chilli powder doesn't seem right either.

My mum had something like this, she also had a spray thing, pet off or something that she sprayed everywhere it's meant for carpets I think.

www.primrose.co.uk/-p-402.html?adtype=pla&kwd=&showPLA=true&gclid=CKe9luPh6M4CFRMo0wodSQUMLg

It sends out an annoying noise for cats, they will keep away.

Article by RSPB

www.rspb.org.uk/makeahomeforwildlife/advice/gardening/unwantedvisitors/cats/catdeterrent.aspx

PepsiPenguin · 30/08/2016 10:03

Pooping not popping - need more coffee 😊

Original poster
Gwenci · 30/08/2016 10:03

Ok, since I've had MN's blessing on the water pistol front I just squirted one of NDN's fuckers cats as it started it's squat.

SO satisfying!!

Problem I have now though is that I'm reluctant to leave my sniper perch at the kitchen window.

I can easily see this becoming an obsession.

OP posts:
3littlebadgers · 30/08/2016 10:04

We are suffering this problem too. I can't open the house without the smell of fishy poo wafting in. It is always just to the left of the front door.

It is either that or other people's rubbish that the fox got at. Thru clean up what stayed in their garden but anything that has blown over to ours gets left! I've had to pick up nappies and sanitary towels before my children could! Angry

MmmCuriouSir · 30/08/2016 10:05

......use all means at your disposal. Cats are vermin.

Fluffsnuts · 30/08/2016 10:11

Yanbu. Water won't hurt them, just deter them. I have 3 cats, they have clean and nice litter trays at home. They haven't used them in 2 years now. They choose to wake me up in the night to be let out and meow loudly and scratch the front door. They shit in my garden and others (I assume but don't know). Nothing I can do, but understand others won't like it, so as long as they don't hurt them (fire crackers, bb guns) I don't mind a bit of water or supersonic cat repeller etc.