Cats tend to use gardens as their personal outdoor litter box. If your cat or neighbors have developed this habit, you need to discourage this behavior or prevent it altogether. The best way is to keep the cat away from the garden; the inexpensive solutions described in this tutorial will help you achieve your goal.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Making the Garden Inhospitable for Cats
Step 1. Mulch
Most cats dislike the sensation of large chunks of mulch under their paws and will spontaneously avoid going into these spaces. In addition, these animals are particularly attracted to fresh earth, which resembles the appearance of the litter material. Therefore, by covering the ground, you do not entice them to approach.
Step 2. Try a reinforced concrete reinforcement mesh or fencing mesh with 2.5 cm wide mesh
You can place this material on the path that leads to your garden. Cats don't like the feel of wire under their paw pads and therefore shouldn't get close.
You can also place a wire mesh over the bed or garden and cover them with mulch. Use wire cutters to make holes for the plants and bend the outer edges of the net by pressing them into the ground. In this way the cat will not be tempted to use the earth as its own toilet and to hide the feces with its claws
Step 3. Use sticks or branches
Cross some of them on the flower beds in the garden; Cats don't like walking on branches and you can plant your flowers or vegetables in the spaces between them.
An alternative to the branches is a trellis. Plants can grow through the various holes, while cats don't like to walk on them
Step 4. Place thorny garden mats
While it sounds cruel to you, it doesn't actually harm cats. These items have small plastic spikes that cats don't want to walk on. Cut these mats into pieces and put them all around the flower beds.
Step 5. Use repellent
This product, which can be found in gardening, pet supplies, and hardware stores, is available in granules or sprays. It emits unpleasant odors to cats, which will then move away from the area.
- The granular solution is best if you need to cover a large area. If you want to keep cats away from certain plants, the spray product is more convenient. You will need to apply it again when you notice that cats come back to your garden.
- Lion dung is an effective repellent that you can buy online. When it smells this smell, the cat gets scared because it thinks there is a bigger predator nearby.
Step 6. Use citrus fruits
Most cats don't like the smell of it. A simple method is to spread citrus peels all around the garden, even if you need to replace them often.
As an alternative to peels, you can use citrus-scented sprays or you can also dilute citrus essential oil and spray it throughout the garden. To prepare the solution, simply pour 10-15 drops of oil into 240ml of water and place the solution in a spray bottle
Step 7. Try other strong smells
For example, cats don't like the smell of tobacco from pipes or coffee, so you can spread some coffee grounds or tobacco around the plants to keep them away.
Alternatively, you can sprinkle a solution of water and vinegar in the yard or add 10-15 drops of lavender or eucalyptus oil to 240ml of water and spray the mixture on areas that attract cats. You need to spread it periodically if you want to prevent cats from returning
Step 8. Sprinkle with chopped red pepper
Some claim this method is effective for keeping cats at bay. Spread some of them all around the garden. Keep in mind, though, that you'll have to put it back on after each rain.
Step 9. Sow the rue
Cats avoid this plant due to its smell. Although it can be poisonous to these animals, be aware that cats prefer to avoid it rather than taste it.
Step 10. Install motion detectors
You can use ultrasonic or water ones. Place them in some places in the garden so that when the cats approach, the detectors are activated. Regardless of the model you decide to install, whether it is ultrasonic inaudible to humans or the water spray one, know that both allow you to keep cats away. Some models take advantage of both deterrents.
If you see a cat when you are in the garden, you can use the water hose to get a little wet without hurting it
Method 2 of 3: Attracting Them Elsewhere
Step 1. Choose a sunny area
Many cats love to be in the sun, so find an area that is exposed to the sun for at least part of the day.
Step 2. Plant catnip
Cats really like this plant, so you can distract them from your garden and plant some in a specific area of your property. Animals will be attracted to its smell and will stay away from your tomato plants. Be careful, though, as this could attract more felines.
Step 3. Set up a sand area
In addition to catnip, create a specific space for cats and cover it with sand. Cats can enjoy it by napping and resting in that area, leaving your garden free.
Cats may use this area as their litter box, so you will need to clean regularly, but at least they are more likely not to go to other areas of your yard
Step 4. Spread some fine mulch around the area intended for them
While cats don't like coarse mulch, they actually love to dig into the fine one and will be drawn to that area you covered with this material.
Step 5. Add other plants that cats like
These animals love wheatgrass, flax, tall grass, barley, lemongrass, just to name a few.
Method 3 of 3: Contact the Cat Owner and the Authorities
Step 1. Research the regulations governing the free movement of animals
In most cities it is not possible to let animals roam freely without a leash. If the same legislation also applies in your area, you can contact the authorities and ask that they intervene for the cats that enter your garden.
Step 2. Find the owner of the cat
Check the pet's collar, if possible, to locate its owner, as there is often a tag with the home phone number or, at least, the veterinarian's number. You can also possibly follow the cat when it leaves your garden.
Step 3. Talk to its owner
If it's the neighbors cat, address the issue with its owner. Tell him that he needs to put the leash on and ask him to keep the animal at home. You can also threaten to call the appropriate office if the cat continues to enter your property.
Step 4. Call the veterinary ASL
If the cat is stray or the neighbor's cat continues to come to your garden, you can contact the ASL office in charge and ask them to come and collect the animal.
