Safe ways to deter Cats from your Garden Information only..

Sadly threads about cats in gardens always seem to end up in.. excuse the pun “Cat fights”.....!
For that reason we do not allow threads about this.. However we all know that for some of us, cats can make themselves a nuisance in our gardens & raised beds etc so we have got this information only thread together for you all to browse to help you.. It is just a list of various products & methods..
nb. Gardeners Corner are listing these products only & are therefore not responsible for reliability or out-come..

Cats love to dig so make it DIFFICULT.!
So here goes....!

 

Here are some ideas.. ​

1. Chicken Wire.. A very extreme but excellent for the veg plot idea is to lay chicken wire down on top of your soil (or mulch, if you're using mulch in the bed), across the planting bed, before you plant. Why? Because cats hate walking on chicken wire. Using wire cutters, you'll be able to open up pockets in the chicken wire sufficiently large for installing your plants. ​
2. Mulch with Prickles rose prunings & holly trimmings if you have a holly hedge are also very good.. Blackthorne twigs & clippings are good too, nut shells & pine cones even, or other uncomfortable material that helps keep cats paws at bay. It's also environmentally friendly.​
3. Citrus..Add the peels of citrus fruit (oranges, lemons, grapefruit) for an off-putting odour as cats don't like citrus smells. Need to be replaced every couple of days though..​

4.Citronella spray..
5.Cat Repellent Rods. These plastic rods emit a strong scent, which is designed to stop cats fouling the surrounding area. The sharp citrus smell is impregnated within the plastic during the moulding process, which means that, no matter what the weather, Pest-Stop Cat Repeller Rods keep working for at least 10 weeks.
Each rod will cover an area of 1m sq. (approx.)
6.Pest Stop - Prikka Strips. Pest Stop Prikka Strips are an effective way of deterring intruders and cats from climbing over walls and fences to enter your property.
They are made from tough durable plastic, are easy to install and give maximum discomfort to the intruder but is unlikely to injure them.
Pack of 4 500mm long by 45mm wide strip..
7.Water: The Ultimate Cat Repellent! Sometimes, to keep cats away from a garden, you have to think like a cat. Put yourself in the cat's place. Observe cat behaviour. For instance, they're pretty fussy creatures, aren't they?
One of the things cats are fussy about is getting wet. Water is "kryptonite for cats." Getting wet seems to be almost a phobia for them. Use that phobia to your advantage in trying to keep cats away from gardens. When you catch cats in the forbidden area, you can try hosing them down with a Super Soaker or similar water gun or water pistol. Such action may reinforce the notion that they are unwanted in your planting bed, but if that doesn't work, you can go hi-tech. Devices such as Scarecrow Sprinklers can & do detect an intruder's presence and fire a blast of water at it.
8.There are also various Cat repellent/Deterrent powders on the market in the UK.. one called “Defenders” claims to also... Deter cats, dogs, rabbits, foxes and other wild animals !!
9.Small sticks pushed into the ground so that approx6-12" are sticking out of the ground like spikes. They must be close enough together to prevent cats snuggling their bottoms down between them to poo. It puts them right off...but is obviously better for smaller spaces. Looks a bit odd too, but the plants soon grow around them.
10.Lion Poo..!! Silent Roar came out on top in a survey by BBC Watchdog into cat deterrents for the garden. They found that after just 3 hours of putting the pellets down, no cats visited the garden!
11.Pepper Dust.. The traditional, simple and effective way to discourage pets from seed beds, new plantings, drives, dustbin areas etc. The Pepper Dust is simply sprinkled around the areas to be protected. Applications should be repeated twice a week at the rates recommended on the pack.
12.Ultrasonic Cat Scarers..These devices uses a PIR motion sensor to detect movement to a distance of around 40ft, then emits a powerful ultrasonic whistle which scares cats away. Use 2 x 9v batteries or a mains adaptor..
13.Jet Spray Pest Repellers.Motion activated..
Protection for ponds, lawns, flowerbeds and seedling plants from nuisance birds and animals with the Jet-Spray Repeller. The motion-activated repeller detects animals movement and shoots a 5 second jet of water to deter the most persistent pests.
Coverage area is adjustable upto 10 meters and 120 degree arc, creating a protected protected zone of over 100 meters.
14.Cat & Dog Repellent Scatter Granules ..Deter Cats & Dogs From Fouling On Lawns & Paving
Biodegradable granules coated with effective Natural Active ingredient. Helps prevent digging, scratching and fouling in patio and garden areas.
15.Ready to Spray...Cat & Dog Repellent RTU Sprays..Formulated with effective Natural Active ingredient and will treat up to 225 square metres in patio and garden areas. Helps prevent cats from digging, scratching and fouling. Repeat treatment every 48 hours recommended.
16. Catwatch Ultrasonic Cat Deterrents. This Catwatch Ultrasonic Cat Deterrent may well be the true “tried and tested” best selling ultrasonic unit in the world.
When an unwanted cat moves in front of the Catwatch sensor, an ultrasonic sound startles the cat which soon learns not to go near it (inaudible to humans). It really is the ultimate "Cat Watch".
The unit itself can operate with an ordinary 9V battery, however we strongly recommend that you opt for the mains adaptor pack for improved performance – see below.
This is the only ultrasonic cat deterrent that has been tested and recommended by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). Following the largest study of its kind ever undertaken in the UK, the RSPB agreed to recommend the Catwatch unit saying that the device is proven to reduce the presence of cats in gardens.
17. Men' s urine watered all around the boundary & on your borders..
18. A Row of, or well positioned children's Seaside windmills whizzing around.. Usually the noise & movement frighten then.. No good if it isn't windy though..
19. Also reflective surfaces like clear old fizzy drinks bottles filled half full with water and laid on their sides have been effective..
20 .Cocoa Shell works well as when it is wet it is soft and slimy, cats usually hate getting their paws in it and it does work to a certain degree. When it's dry, the shell binds together via a natural gum that is present in the shell forming a sharp pie crust stopping them digging their make shift toilets..
21. Though there is no easy solution. Most people who have a problem with cats usually don't have cats themselves. Cats are territorial animals and will use gardens and roam until another cat challenges them.
So the most affective method of getting rid of other people's cats out of your garden is getting a cat yourself.! Or like me, dogs.!

N.B. We still take a "no tolerance" stance if posts are made in any forum of inhumane, injurious or flaming content.!​

 

PLANTS TO DETER CATS..
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There are not many plants that will deter cats from coming into your garden.. I'm afraid there is not a lot you can do other than placing the likes of rose clippings around your plants or some thorny problem for them to cope with is one of the other methods or products to stop them from digging them up.
The less your beds are like litter boxes the less they will use them. Fine, dry, exposed soil is mostly what they go for. Moist, coarsely mulched (as with wood chips), densely planted beds aren't much of a draw either..
The few plants there are as follows....
Coleus caninus...or Scaredy Cat..
Other purported cat repellant plants are :-
Rue..
Lavender..
Geranium(hardy).​

That about rounds off my list for the moment..
Please PM me with any additions, thoughts or criticisms..​

Thanks
Marley.. ​

 

From Dave W..

http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/P~133146~Defenders-Mega-Sonic-Cat-Repeller

Also on Ebay & Amazon..

 

Cayenne or black pepper can be sprinkled around garden in your borders and anywhere you don't want them to go. This is rather unpleasant but harmless and apart from some sneezing it will eventually keep them away from the area I have found. Garlic, in a spray, which contains garlic oil also works extremely effectively in keeping cats away. Sprays must be used liberally once a week or ten days 10 in the areas that the cats come into contact with that you don't want them to go. I still do the top of my fence with it & it keeps next doors cat off it..!!! Works on soil too..
Ingredients:
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 liter water
1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap
Directions:
Combine the garlic and vegetable oil and leave to soak overnight.
Strain and add to the water along with the liquid soap.
Spray regularly. I actually sprayed about once a week in dry weather