Problem with Cats

Shonagh

Hi, just wanted some advise - im hoping to grow veggies in a few patches in my back garden this year, but had a big problem with cats using an area I had potatoes in last year as a litter area. Im not sure how best to stop this without harming any veg that might be growing. Is setting up posts and netting the way to go? Im very new to gardening and growing and really havent got a clue what to do for the best. Thanks

Malski

Been mentioned a few times on here, various things like lemon/orange peel, raw garlic, large plastic bottles of water (they see their reflections), lion poo, there's also a plant (can't remember the name). Think some may work but depends on the cat.

Shonagh

Malski wrote: »

Been mentioned a few times on here, various things like lemon/orange peel, raw garlic, large plastic bottles of water (they see their reflections), lion poo, there's also a plant (can't remember the name). Think some may work but depends on the cat.

I'll have a good look through the other pages then, thanks very much

JasonLVC

My garden was attracting a particularly dominant Tom, so dominant it would poo on the lawn and not even attempt to bury it anywhere.

Tried all the usual - orange peel, garlic spray, tiger poo to no avail, this Tom was as hard as nails.

Went with an ultrasonic repellant in the end :-

http://www.primrose-london.co.uk/mains-repellent-p-167.html

It was expensive, but the price was worth paying, no more having to scoop several poops before you wom the lawn or have a BBQ. I was very sceptical about these things but they do indeed work.

My Dad also had troubles with a cat sitting on his black Jaguar (ironic!) as the cat would leave scratches on the paint. Another ultrasonic repellent put paid to that particular cat as well.

Yategirl

If you use coffee grounds to make your coffee then save them and sprinkle over your veg plot (i go round my plants if I can) once you have enough, you need to do it regulary but it does keep cats off (and can repel slugs!). You can also get bagged coffee grounds from local starbucks/costa coffee if you ask.

I have heard people complain about the ultrasonic repellents as many people CAN hear them and they can be quite an irritating sound so just beware of this if you go down this route.

Shonagh

JasonLVC wrote: »

My garden was attracting a particularly dominant Tom, so dominant it would poo on the lawn and not even attempt to bury it anywhere.

Tried all the usual - orange peel, garlic spray, tiger poo to no avail, this Tom was as hard as nails.

Went with an ultrasonic repellant in the end :-

http://www.primrose-london.co.uk/mains-repellent-p-167.html

It was expensive, but the price was worth paying, no more having to scoop several poops before you wom the lawn or have a BBQ. I was very sceptical about these things but they do indeed work.

My Dad also had troubles with a cat sitting on his black Jaguar (ironic!) as the cat would leave scratches on the paint. Another ultrasonic repellent put paid to that particular cat as well.

Jason - thanks for suggesting this, however I should have mentioned im not sure if something like this will work as my neighbour has a dog and we have a partially shared back garden so this may cause a problem. I'll have a better look into it and see if I can find an alternative though. Thanks

Shonagh

Yategirl - a trip to Starbucks in a few months may well be in order, thanks

Kazipoo

I have a huge problem with cats as our next door but one neighbour rehomes strays and unwanted kittens, and gets a little attached sometimes.

I bought a water repeller for our garden because the cats were killing my fish. Obviously no good in the winter time, but for the £20 it cost us it was very effective, it works on a sensor, so as soon as there is movement within the sensor range, it squirts a spray of water in about a 120 degree angle. I tried all of the above methods, but none of them worked, this is the only thing that has, plus it is not toxic in any way because it just runs from a hose.

Another thing you might want to consider is to perhaps grow your potatoes in a sack or a bucket, ours turned out better this way, got a much higher yield, and you can backfill frequently!!

Shonagh

Kazipoo wrote: »

I have a huge problem with cats as our next door but one neighbour rehomes strays and unwanted kittens, and gets a little attached sometimes.

I bought a water repeller for our garden because the cats were killing my fish. Obviously no good in the winter time, but for the £20 it cost us it was very effective, it works on a sensor, so as soon as there is movement within the sensor range, it squirts a spray of water in about a 120 degree angle. I tried all of the above methods, but none of them worked, this is the only thing that has, plus it is not toxic in any way because it just runs from a hose.

Another thing you might want to consider is to perhaps grow your potatoes in a sack or a bucket, ours turned out better this way, got a much higher yield, and you can backfill frequently!!

Im going to have a look into this one, thanks

morg_monster

Shonagh wrote: »

Hi, just wanted some advise - im hoping to grow veggies in a few patches in my back garden this year, but had a big problem with cats using an area I had potatoes in last year as a litter area. Im not sure how best to stop this without harming any veg that might be growing. Is setting up posts and netting the way to go? Im very new to gardening and growing and really havent got a clue what to do for the best. Thanks

surely cat poo is good for the veggies... I mean people will pay to put horse and chicken poo on their veg - why not cat!!
One (old) gardening book I have suggests asking at sewage plants for sludge to put on the beds!! Ew!!
(slightly tongue in cheek, I know they are annoying.)

Lotus-eater

morg_monster wrote: »

surely cat poo is good for the veggies... I mean people will pay to put horse and chicken poo on their veg - why not cat!!
One (old) gardening book I have suggests asking at sewage plants for sludge to put on the beds!! Ew!!
(slightly tongue in cheek, I know they are annoying.)

Cat and dog poo can be dangerous for humans. Carrys nasty pathogens with it and is better buried in a pit under fruit trees where it will break down naturally and the goodness will go to the tree.