Cat deterrent tips?

[Raindrop]

Hiya.
I have a small garden with various wildlife living/visiting. But since the blackbirds and bluetits have nested I'm a bit concerned about visiting cats. Does anyone have any tips for keeping them out? Are there any plants they don't like for example that I could plant around the borders that act as a deterrent?
Regards
R

[Kayleigh]

Coleus Canina is a deterrent plant you can get it in seed or plants from the seed catalogues if you type this into google you will get a list of suppliers.

[~T~]

The best way I have found is to block off any places they can hide waiting to pounce with things like trellis or the little accordian type fencing you find in places like Instore. Basically anything that will be an obstacle and give birds time to see/hear them coming. Also keep feeders high up if possible. I find that most methods like sonic thingies, orange peel etc just don't work or cats get used to them quickly. You will never stop them coming into your garden completely but they will learn it's not worth their while if the garden us unfriendly to them.

Good luck.

P.s. Usually threads with the C word end up in flame wars so good luck with that too

[Raindrop]

Brilliant, thankyou for the tips, I shall pay a visit to the garden centre I have just taken the feeders off the tree and put them on a feeding station in the open to be on the safe side. Oops, I don't mean to offend anyone or start any arguments, so I'll apologise now if I have, just trying to give the young families as best a start as possible.

[AfternoonLemon]

Originally Posted by ~T~

The best way I have found is to block off any places they can hide waiting to pounce with things like trellis or the little accordian type fencing you find in places like Instore. Basically anything that will be an obstacle and give birds time to see/hear them coming. Also keep feeders high up if possible. I find that most methods like sonic thingies, orange peel etc just don't work or cats get used to them quickly. You will never stop them coming into your garden completely but they will learn it's not worth their while if the garden us unfriendly to them.

Good luck.

P.s. Usually threads with the C word end up in flame wars so good luck with that too

Absolutely agree with all of that. I try to use fencing with 3 inch gaps in it, to allow anything up to the size of a Blackbird to squeeze through.

Also, cats don't like to walk on anything spiky or prickly - clippings from thorny bushes will help there.

For solid structures like walls, fences, and sheds - try putting some prikka strips up. It's harmless to them, but will stop them creeping about there too.

Basically, forget about trying to stop them passing through the garden... focus on limiting their hunting opportunities, and making their stay less pleasant. They'll just move though to the next garden

[Carol ann]

6-8ft tall Bamboo canes stuck in the ground around your feed station so that any cats would not have a clear route to the feeders.
As some people know I have 4 cats but mine are House cats and arnt allowed to roam free. I understand how some people can get uppity over the cat / bird subject. But its a fact cats will hunt, and birds will always be fair game in any cats eyes.My cats stay in because I don't want the upset of them being stolen or run over at £450 a kitten they make expensive tyre tread.

[Meadow5]

Hi raindrop,

Sent you a PM

[Meadow5]

Theres some good suggestions in this thread, there is also motion sprinklers which are said to be brilliant. Expensive but they are said to do the trick

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Meadow5

Theres some good suggestions in this thread, there is also motion sprinklers which are said to be brilliant. Expensive but they are said to do the trick

Not sure is sprinklers are allowed under a hosepipe ban..

[Raindrop]

Thankyou for all your replies, I have made a list of them all I like the idea of the prikka strips for keeping them off the shed roof and extendable trellis and plants for the bottom end of the garden. The bamboo canes would work well around the feeders now they've been moved away from the tree offerering extra perches in the process I saw some motion sensors to attach to the hosepipe in my pond mag (designed I think for heron but could work I guess) but as Kayleigh says it was just when they started announcing the hosepipe bans! Got your pm thanks Meadow, I did reply but I can't see that it sent still trying to find my way around, I'm a bit useless with technology I'm afraid. Let me know if it failed and I'll try again