Help!cats using my garden as a loo (merged threads)

heartshaped

Try this http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=54139&highlight=cats+are+the+devil

lfabargain

oojeyboojey wrote: »

Please help! I am so fed up shovelling cat turds into plastic bags. Ever since I bought my new house, I've been contending with the local moggies. Since cat poo can carry many nasty bugs that are transferable to humans, I'd like to stop this problem once and for all. I don't want to hurt the cats, just deter them.

So far, I bought an ultrasonic cat deterrant, which worked for the first few months. But now the cats have either found the edges of its operational area, or they have become immune to the noise. I've also tried putting out jam jars filled with water (they're supposed to look disturbing to cats - don't ask me why!) mulching with woody hedge trimmings, scattering rocks in my borders and having various items staked into the ground. The cats are finding ways around these deterrants. I've also tried human hair and lemon peel, but these only work for a matter of days and I don't really want to be scattering these things in my garden every two days!

So I'd like to know if anyone has a tried and tested, cost-effective, long-lasting eco-friendly solution to my problem!

A bit worried now. I invested in 2 ultrasonic devices as I am having the same problem. I only installed them on saturday and hope that they last longer than 1 month

A_Clock

Bets thing is to chuck water at them, or if you want to get your own back do a number one in it, and spray them with your scent and see how they like it!!! Bet the owners wont be happy if they come in smelling either :rotfl:

chrissie55

Don't fret, moggy-lovers! It's not so violent!! Water-bombs r wonderful deterrents (& fun too) tho' u may need to target each pest @ least 1ce. Also barking @ them puts the fear of dog into them.

oojeyboojey

Yeah I'd happily squirt them with water from water pistols, only they seem to poop either late at night, or while I'm at work. Them's smarter than your average cat.

I've just bought some "rue" herb seeds - I've read that this herb is a good deterrant to the cats because of its smell, and it's a hardy herb that self-seeds, although it can cause photodermatitis in humans if you get it on your skin whilst it's damp. I'll let you know if it works! I'm thinking of planting it on the inaccessable upper hedge border, away from where people might want to touch it.

I started reading the thread that my thread has been merged with, but it's so full of sniping between cat lovers and haters that I just couldn't be bothered to wade through page after page on the offchance of finding an idea I haven't tried yet.

Geoffo_M

Jo6673 wrote: »

ha ha its not fresh garlic its from pet shop in a canister- really strong if you smell the tub but once sprinkled only offends the felines!

Several people seem to have had success with this type of strong garlic. I've tried our local pet shop and they have never heard of it. Does anyone know exactly what it is called, and where you can buy it?

Thanks

Geoff

Mandles

oojeyboojey wrote: »

Yeah I'd happily squirt them with water from water pistols, only they seem to poop either late at night, or while I'm at work. Them's smarter than your average cat.

I've just bought some "rue" herb seeds - I've read that this herb is a good deterrant to the cats because of its smell, and it's a hardy herb that self-seeds, although it can cause photodermatitis in humans if you get it on your skin whilst it's damp. I'll let you know if it works! I'm thinking of planting it on the inaccessable upper hedge border, away from where people might want to touch it.

I started reading the thread that my thread has been merged with, but it's so full of sniping between cat lovers and haters that I just couldn't be bothered to wade through page after page on the offchance of finding an idea I haven't tried yet.

Maybe its foxes! They pooh in my garden even in the day time. One just sits and stares at me as if to say"what you gonna do about it?!

Shambler

I've just prepared some raised beds in the garden ready for planting in feb/march.

Currently they are covered in cat poop...the little !!!!!!s don't even bury it!

I'm going to try garlic, elephant garlic http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_garlic

with a strong arm and a keen aim...:rotfl:

oojeyboojey

Mandles wrote: »

Maybe its foxes! They pooh in my garden even in the day time. One just sits and stares at me as if to say"what you gonna do about it?!

No, I know it's cats not foxes - I hate to admit it but I can tell the difference in the poop!

The ultrasonic deterrent is definitely not working anymore - a cat pooped right in front of it last week.

I just bought and tried some of that "silent roar" stuff - the very next day, there was fresh cat poop.

I'm at my wit's end. I've seen a device that works on the same principle as the ultrasonic cat deterrent, but it squirts water at the cats. Has anyone here tried this?

George_Bray

Peartree wrote: »

We don't keep lions and hyenas as pets. I'm not an idiot. If you are going to keep a pet you should take complete resopnsibility for it.

I agree. I assume the reason we're not allowed to keep lions and hyenas as pets is that they'd cause too much damage and be dangerous. Cats aren't that bad, obviously, but I still think the cut-off is misjudged. If you want a cat, you should have to keep it indoors by law. Why should your neigbours suffer as a result of a cat owner's hobby or whim? It should be against the law to let a cat roam around outside.

Codger said: "We're cat owners -- not cat lovers, or cat haters -- and they're as integral to our family as the humans." I think this highlights the issue. I suggest some/most/all cat lovers have lost touch with reasonableness and reality if they think like that. Cats are not humans. I wish I was alllowed to shoot cats with an air rifle whenever I see one in my garden.