How to...Keep Cats out of the Garden

[Fairy-wren]

Orange peel was mentioned a few times, but I'm not sure if it works - the last house I lived in had an orange tree in the backyard (and so there were a lot of fallen oranges and bits of orange peel scattered about) but that didn't stop my neighbour's cat from having a daily snooze under the tree!

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Fairy-wren

Orange peel was mentioned a few times, but I'm not sure if it works - the last house I lived in had an orange tree in the backyard (and so there were a lot of fallen oranges and bits of orange peel scattered about) but that didn't stop my neighbour's cat from having a daily snooze under the tree!

Cat's certainly have a general dislike of orange peel but the strength of deterent seems related to the freshness of being removed from the fruit. Dried peel seems to work well when broken up, but its effect seems to last no more than three days and even then only in warm weather when the volatile oils are activated.

Peel is a useful (and cost free) addition to the range of deterents that can minimise cats coming into the garden, although peel will only be effective when replaced regularly and limited to use in discreet areas, such as favoured sleeping spots or along the cat walks.

I assume an 'orange tree' fruiting, was not in the UK, and presumably cats living around citrus plants get used to the smell.

CM

[shirl]

I just live with the problem we live in the coutry, have a very large garden and it would be absolutely impossible to keep all the neighbours cats out. There are 4 of them regular daily visitors, they kill birds, mice, voles and shrews, poo all over the place and then go home! So I just clear up the mess they leave and try not to think about it. They are even not deterred by our 2 springer spaniels throwing themselves at the windows when the cat is strolling about the place. Just wish the cats wouldn't kill so much wildlife in our garden though.

Shirl

[Tracey.A]

To keep cats out your garden present all of your neighbours with some nice potted catnip plants for their garden. Cats can't resist the stuff!

Tracey

[timgardener]

I am a disabled but keen gardener, and have a major problem with too many local cats. The area of gardens here is around 100 x 100 feet, and just now could actually count 15 seperate cats from my upstairs window.... We have fields behind and woodland, but, excepting seagulls, crows, ring necked parakeets, and occasional feral pigeons and starlings in the fields NO birds at all, and certainly none in the gardens. I have to clear at least one bag full of faeces a day, and had to pave my front garden to clear the stink of urine.

Reflective surfaces don't work, electronic repellents don't work, 'scardy cat' plant doesnt work (they camouflage the smell by using it as a toilet) and I dont have the ability to sit out in my garden all night witha water pistol. As I have a strong objection to hurting any creature (excepting slugs and snail), shotguns and air rifles are not an option. I also object to being told to get a cat myself.

I have discovered a legally available electric fence to surround my garden with, which although expensive may have some ability to keep out the cats, BUT is there any way do re-attract the birds, my previous gardens were full of them and they were a great joy.

[Helo]

First of all, find out their entrace point into your garden. If it's a hole, close it up.

If the cats are jumping over the fence, I guarantee a 12-15" piece of chicken wire fixed on top of the fence will prevent them jumping over.

The chicken wire should not be pulled taut, but left loose, and slightly turned over, preferably onto the side where the cat jumps from, so that when the cat is looking up, ready to jump onto the fence, all it will see is the chicken wire loosley overhanging. The cat then has no firm base to jump onto, hey presto problem solved!

Of course the chicken wire doesn't look 'attractive', but I would think this is a compromise people are willing to take if they want to stop cats coming into the garden...?

Alternatively, if you don't want normal chicken wire, buy some of the more sturdy mesh which is available in green colour (I think). Again, the trick is to have it hanging slightly loose, to prevent a firm base for the cat to jump on.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Helo

First of all, find out their entrace point into your garden. If it's a hole, close it up.

If the cats are jumping over the fence, I guarantee a 12-15" piece of chicken wire fixed on top of the fence will prevent them jumping over.

The chicken wire should not be pulled taut, but left loose, and slightly turned over, preferably onto the side where the cat jumps from, so that when the cat is looking up, ready to jump onto the fence, all it will see is the chicken wire loosley overhanging. The cat then has no firm base to jump onto, hey presto problem solved!

Of course the chicken wire doesn't look 'attractive', but I would think this is a compromise people are willing to take if they want to stop cats coming into the garden...?

Alternatively, if you don't want normal chicken wire, buy some of the more sturdy mesh which is available in green colour (I think). Again, the trick is to have it hanging slightly loose, to prevent a firm base for the cat to jump on.

I have climbers that overhang the fences it acts the same but is better for wildlife honeysuckle attracts black caps and moths..

[Helo]

Yes, that's another good idea Kayleigh. It's really not that difficult with cats as they hate an uneven surface to jump on.

Now, if anyone has any suggestions for owners who allow their dogs to run wild in my woods (private land), scaring wildlife, I'm all ears...

[Hedge Witch]

I guess putting a dog-proof fence round the wood is out of the question? Is there a particular point where a path runs close to the wood. Could you try reinforcing this area?

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Helo

Yes, that's another good idea Kayleigh. It's really not that difficult with cats as they hate an uneven surface to jump on.

Now, if anyone has any suggestions for owners who allow their dogs to run wild in my woods (private land), scaring wildlife, I'm all ears...

Shoot um and the irresponsible owners..
I am a dog owner..