How To Keep Cats Away From Your Garden
The cat is an animal with very distinct hygiene habits. Whenever possible, it prefers relieving itself away from where it eats. For this reason, very often if a neighbor has a cat that can freely enter and leave the house, the cat will sneak into a nearby garden and use it as a toilet, digging up the earth and ruining the plants.
If you have this problem and need to scare a cat away from your garden, you can try talking to the cat owner, although this is unlikely to do anything to stop the problem from happening. Moreover, although it is less likely and common, it is possible that the cat that is invading your garden is a stray cat without any owner to talk to. Whether it is a street cat or belongs to your neighbor, the following instructions will help you keep cats away from your garden in a way that is cheap, environmentally friendly and non-toxic.
One of the first tips we can give you to keep cats away from your garden is the following. Whenever you eat citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, lemons, grapefruit, etc., keep the peels.
Sprinkle them around the places where cats usually get into your garden. The smell of citrus will deter them. This smell will last around 2 to 3 days, after this time you’ll have to change the peels.
You can also rub the peels on the surfaces of the garden; if the surfaces are porous, this will impregnate them with the smell of citrus.
If your trash can is outdoors, you should close it hermetically so that cats can’t get in it.
Repellex Systemic Animal Repellent
Systemic Animal Repellent Tablets contain capsaicin, a natural component found in chilli peppers – and a chemical irritant for mammals.
Just bury the tablets next to growing plants and voila, the plants absorb the chemicals through their roots and will help keep pesky predators at bay.
These tablets last for an entire year so its a really effective solution to your puss-problem.
150 pills will treat between 75-120 plants, so stock up!
The pills should not affect plant growth in any way but will affect the taste if you are growing a vegetable patch, so beware.
A Quick Burst Of Water
Theres a reason why cats vs water is one of those common stereotypes in film and TV. Most cats are not really fans of getting unexpectedly wet. And so using water to shoo off unwanted visitors can be extremely effective.
I am a huge motion-activated sprinkler fan. A device like this can be set up whenever youre not going to be out gardening and is connected directly to the hose. When it senses movement, it shoots a burst of water towards that motion.
These are not without theoretical drawbacks. At first, you may have some slightly overwatered plants in popular spots in the yard. But gradually, the cats will learn that your garden is full of unexpected water. Best of all, its a non-toxic, non-harmful method. If you want cats to stay away from the yard, this is a fantastic way to do it.
Fair warning: you will eventually get hit by your own motion-activated sprinkler. Itll probably happen on that day when you forgot to drink your coffee in the morning, and you will be presented with an unexpected shower. But look on the bright side, youll know it works!
Dont want a motion-activated sprinkler? You can always just use your hose when youre in the yard to send a spray after prowling kitties. This wont work when youre not home but is effective when you are.
How Do You Keep Cats Out Of Your Yard
Mary Fitzgibbon on June 18, 2020:
Neighbors have like 10 cats. I have no cats in my house, basement smells like cat urine. They go to the bathroom at the foundation of my house. Tried mothballs, cayenne pepper, some kind of cat repellent. Doesnt work for long.
Donna on May 04, 2020:
.22’s work perfectly
Agnes on May 01, 2020:
I am damn tired of stray cats in my entire yard i tried to clean my place and sprinke domestos as the smell is very strong they’ll dissappear after two to three weeks they are back again leave stron smelly feases all over even on the bed of my lawn i am tired of flies and i cant even open my kitchen door please help me what to do or what to use as now all different cats come and go new ones as well i dont know what is attra ting them my biggest and most is the urine feases they leave.
Derek on March 28, 2020:
Does Cayanne Pepper do the trick?
F U on March 15, 2020:
Wow, youâre all a bunch of psychopaths. Enjoy rotting in hell.
Joy on March 13, 2020:
These kids are shitting and pissing all over the top of my garage this is the second time Iâve had to have the garage roof place because the stray cats shitting and pissing all over the roof what can I do I would just like to kill them all
Ash on February 28, 2020:
psychopaths on February 18, 2020:
Sandy and Adam, are you the couple who killed your own kid and staged that someone kidnapped your kid ?
Graciela lopez on February 02, 2020:
Pj on July 13, 2019:
Any advice on how to trap them?
John
Method 2 Of 3:making Other Areas More Attractive To Cats
Method 1 Of 4:creating A Physical Barrier
How To Stop Cats From Eating Plants
You may be wondering how to stop cats from eating plants. Again, there are no absolutes, but there are a few things you can try. Cats hate getting wet. Therefore, when you catch cats nibbling on your garden plants, you could try spraying them down with a garden hose or water gun to reinforce the fact that they are unwanted near your plants.
Learning how to repel cats with plants is another alternative. You can choose to incorporate plants that cats do not find attractive or tasty and are known to avoid. For instance, some plants emit odors that cats find offensive, such as the scaredy-cat plant . Other plants often recommended for keeping cats away include , lavender, rosemary, and pennyroyal.
Then again, you could also appeal to their taste buds by planting catnip in areas outside the garden where theyre more welcome.
Contact A Local Shelter
Many local shelters can assist you with stray animals. Whether they come to rescue the animal or guide you on what to do next, they can sometimes provide helpful tips to get you on the right track. Many shelters perform what is called a TNR, which stands for trap neuter and release.
You would get a live trap or some other means of containment, take the cat into the shelter, and they will spay or neuter the animal. You can then release it back into the wild to fend for itself. It might seem harsh, but it does reduce unwanted breeding and behaviors, such as urine marking, on your property.
Wash Up To Deter Garden Cats
If your visitor has a favourite location, wash the area well with a hose to remove the scent or urine spray. Boost your cleaning with eco-friendly liquid castile soap on doors, patio furniture, etc. Cats tend to choose the same spot repeatedly, so remove their previous claim to your garden to prevent repeat offences.
Use Citrus Peels As Cat Deterrent
Citrus is another scent that cats cant abide, making citrus peels a perfect deterrent. Instead of throwing out your orange peels or squeezed lemon wedges, use them to keep cats away.
Other smelly things you can throw in or around your garden if you cant stop worrying about cat poop include mothballs, red pepper, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and apple cider vinegar. If you are going to use mothballs, be sure to place them in a container with holes in the lid so that the cats cannot eat them. Mothballs are toxic to cats.
These smells are also great for keeping squirrels out of potted plants.
Sprinkling Herbs On The Soil
The plants that I mentioned above that cats dislike are often spread across the soils surface, too. In fact, some recommendations suggest that you prune your plants and then drop them everywhere. If you feel like putting in extra effort, Ive seen it recommended to dry them out and powder them to sprinkle around.
If cats dislike the plants, the scent of freshly crushed leaves might deter them for a few hours. But once the initial smell fades, usually within 24 hours, its just not effective anymore. Most dried plant materials lose their aroma and begin to break down far too quickly.
There are three things that tend to hold their scent a little longer than most other options. Crushed hot peppers like cayenne, some pipe tobacco types, and used coffee grounds may actually keep cats at bay for up to 2-3 days. Cayenne has a nasty side effect, though; if cats walk through it and then lick their paws, it can make them ill. But if you dont mind sprinkling the coffee grounds from your morning pot of coffee over the garden every few days, you may find some effectiveness in that.
Theres one other option thats claimed to be effective: citrus peels. Its claimed that orange or lemon peels spread out across the soils surface will turn cats away by their smell. But theres one problem with this: orange peels will also go moldy and may attract flies or other pests. Citrus peels also look a bit strange spread around the garden.
Ways To Keep Cats Out Of Your Yard Or Garden
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
Domestic cats, feral cats, and homeless strays may wander into your yard or garden due to curiosity, mating, hunting, feeding, and establishing territory. Some may be looking for a new place to call home. Since cats have incredible climbing and jumping abilities, keeping them out of your outdoor area can be challenging. Take a look at a few good cat repellents and approaches to stop feline intruders from using your garden as a litter box.
Illustration: The Spruce / Catherine Song
How To Keep Cats Off Gardens
Whether you love them or loathe them, cats can be a problem in the garden. Lawns, gravel surfaces, flowerpots and freshly cultivated soil can all be regular targets for neighbourhood moggies. You might bang on the windows, shout at them, or try to deter them with various barriers, but really you need to train them to stay away. Cats are sensitive to unfamiliar smells, which is to your advantage if you use unfamiliar odours to deter them.
Simple but effective animal repellents
Vitax Scent Off granules and pellets contain eucalyptus, citronella and pine oils and act as an effective animal repellent when applied in areas where fouling occurs or is likely to occur. In flower beds or areas of grass or gravel they can be applied direct from the pack, ideally after the area has been watered thoroughly or washed down with mild detergent if fouling has already occurred.
Where to use them
The granules shake direct from the pack and are probably the best choice for grass and gravel areas or between plants in the border. The pellets are longer lasting and are ideal to use on patches of soil where seed, such as that of hardy annuals, has been recently sown. These are the places that are soon discovered by visiting cats looking for a new place to scratch.
Protecting pots and containers
Do they work on other animals?
Andy McIndoe
How To Keep Cats From Pooping In The Garden Using Hair
This one might sound a little strange, but it works! The scent of human hair is another smell that will deter cats from hanging around your garden.
Next time you get your hair cut, ask to keep some of the scraps before they make it to the garbage. Easier still, empty the loose hair from your brushes. Scatter the hair around the perimeter of the flower bed or garden, or anywhere else in your yard, to keep cats away.
Other Measures To Keep Cats Out Of The Garden
While youre introducing the above measures, dont forget to pay extra attention to hygiene when youve been in the garden. Recent research suggests that cat poop can be a dangerous as well as irritating addition to your garden. Many cats carry parasites that can lead to a condition called toxoplasmosis in humans.
This infection is often symptomless, but it can be extremely serious during pregnancy or for those with weakened immune systems. Always wear gloves when working in soil where cats have been, be extra cautious if pregnant, and if the lid has been left off the sandpit overnight, give it a check before letting the children play there.
A tried and tested cat deterrent is a product called CATwatch. Its a sensor system that detects movement in the garden and emits a sound that only cats can hear, ensuring they scurry away from your flower beds quicker than they arrived.
Claiming It As A Human Space
Have you ever tried to stare down a cat? This is the garden version of that method, and it can be somewhat effective.
Claiming your garden as your space can involve putting your own shed hair from your hairbrush around the garden or applying your own pee around the perimeter. This marks it as a human space.
Adding items like wind chimes or clickers, spinners, and pinwheels may also make it less appealing for kitty. And of course, removing scat or using a hose to wash down cat markings may reduce the cat visitation.
Unfortunately, many cats are there when youre not. In the middle of the night, cats may still creep into the space youve claimed as your own and repeat their marking. This technique is, as a result, very limited for preventing cats from using your garden as a litter box.
Use Scent To Keep The Cats Away
- Cats dislike the smell of rue, lavender and pennyroyal, Coleus canina and lemon thyme. Plant a few of these throughout the garden.
- Cats steer clear of strong citrus scents. Throw peels directly onto garden soil.
- Sprinkling brewed coffee grounds over the soil may also help. Get free big bags from most local coffee shops!
- The scent of human hair is said to deters cats. Empty your brushes onto the garden and reclaim your territory!
- Commercial cat repellents copy the smells of predator urine. Its advertised as non-toxic and organic, said not to harm plants. Do your research.
Method 4 Of 4:making A Peace Offering
Make Your Own Cat Repellent Spray
If youre still asking how to keep cats from pooping in my yard, this homemade spray makes an excellent outdoor cat repellent. It is easy to make, and you probably already have all of the ingredients somewhere in your kitchen!
- 3 drops lemon essential oil
- Water
Put the cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and dry mustard inside a two-ounce spray bottle before adding in the garlic clove and essential oil. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients and fill it with water. Shake well to combine.
If you dont have all the ingredients, substitute black pepper for cayenne pepper and use any essential oil that we listed earlier. This is another cat repelling solution that works great for indoor cats, as well.
How To Keep Cats Out Of Your Garden
I’m a cat lover-I have nothing against cats. Still, stray cats, as down-on-their-luck and sweet as they may be, cause problems. Seeing cats destroying my hard work is always disturbing, and it makes me want to know the best methods for how to keep cats out of a garden. Your garden is to them a giant litter box and even though the leaves they chew probably make them feel ill, they do it, anyway. My next door neighbor’s big, territorial cat skulks around my yard; it’s a veritable Battle Royale when I try to sneak past him with my curious dog every morning and night for our walks. Sometimes, they just have to go and a cat spraying deterrent such as Critter Ridder® Motion Activated Sprinkler is necessary to keep them from coming back.
How to Keep Cats Out of a Garden by Creating an Uninviting Environment
One alternative is to try to make your garden a hostile environment for cats. This requires a great deal of time, effort, and patience and you still probably wont get the results youd hoped for. Here are a few of the questionable methods for how to keep cats out of a garden:
1. Toss pine cones, nut shells, and short stakes on the perimeter of your garden and especially around your most prized plants. Cats don’t like walking on noisy, sticky, or sharp things . Try putting eggshells and coffee grounds in your garden. Bonus: in addition to being an effective option for anyone wanting to learn how to keep cats out of a garden, they also make great fertilizer.
How To Avoid Cat Fights:
- Organise a timeshare with your neighbour. Agree set times when your cats will be outside. That way, both cats can enjoy the garden without disturbing each other.
- Stop other cats from coming inside your home by fitting a cat-flap that only opens for your cat’s microchip.
- Try and prevent other cats entering your garden by securing holes in fences or hedges.
- Provide a litter tray indoors so your cat can choose to stay in if they’re feeling unsafe.
Remember to regularly check your cat for signs of injury or changes in behaviour. If you’re concerned, please visit your local vet for advice.
Method 1 Of 3:making The Garden Unattractive To Cats
Solutions That Worked For Me
- Using sprinklers: In my garden, I noticed that the cats usually showed up right around daybreak, so I set my sprinklers to come on then, and it really helped to keep the cats away. I have since purchased the Orbit sprinklers; they will even chase deer out of your garden or yard.
- A super-soaker water gun: I have also had great success with a heavy-duty super-soaker water gun I purchased. I just sit quietly at the edge of my yard and soak down any cat that comes by. Water works better than anything to keep cats away. Once you soak down a cat once or twice, it won’t be back. I set up one of the Orbit sprinklers right beside where I park my vehicles, and I rarely, if ever, have any cat tracks on my vehicles.
- Use a motion-activated sound device and keep food away: It helps to think like a cat to determine why it is coming on your property. If they’re attracted to your pond, install either a motion-activated sound device or some sprinklers there. Food is one of the biggest reasons cats and other animals will come into your yard, so practice keeping your environment free of any food source and keep your garbage tightly covered. Your cat problems should go away quickly.
- Be consistent: Don’t leave food out sometimes and then freak out when they come to eat. Don’t give them mixed messages. After all, cats are not dumb animals, and they will learn where they are welcome and where they are not.