Benjamin Posted May 14, 2006 Share Posted May 14, 2006 We're having a problem with next door's recently aquired cat using a particular area of our garden as a toilet.Apart from waiting on the terrace with half a house brick in my hand, is there a more humane way of stopping this behaviour?Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted May 14, 2006 Share Posted May 14, 2006 Please drop the brick Benjamin. I happened to see this the other day in this month's French News supplement :"Cats in the garden can be a problem, particularly if you have beds or pots containing seemingly bare earth, such as those in which you have just planted your lilies or sown seeds. To tackle this, use the branches from recently pruned shrubs, as the twiggy stems deter the cats from digging up your soil, and also add some support to the growing plants. I tried this with unwanted branches cut back from a hardy fuchsia a few years ago, which not only kept the cats away but to my amazement also took root, giving a floral support to my Madonna lilies and lots of plants to give away to friends and family!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted May 14, 2006 Author Share Posted May 14, 2006 Thanks for that Christine. Some recently cut small branches/twigs have now been placed over the offending area.Unfortunately it's adjacent to the veg patch so we'll keep our fingers crossed that she doesn't just move to that.Or it could be pick the brick time (only joking)Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonzjob Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 When we moved over we saw plastic bottles full of water next to gate posts, against curbs in gardens and all sorts of places. We wondered what the hell they were for. When we got round to asking one of our French neighbours we thought his answer was taking the mickey. It deters cats because they see their distorted reflection and they don't like it. In for a penny,,,, so we now have several bottles spread around the garden where the crats used to cap (I wonder if the lang monitor will spot that one???) and now we have a crat cap free garden!!This is not a wind-up, it really seems to work...If all else fails I also have a catapult and a good eye and before any one yells a stone through the undergroth NEAR the cat frightens it into leaving. Our labrador quite like joining in the chase too when she can![6]John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Short bits of black hose are supposed to look like snakes, a cats natural predator.The branches are good idea, especially pyracantha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizfjr Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 [quote user="Jonzjob"]When we moved over we saw plastic bottles full of water next to gate posts, against curbs in gardens and all sorts of places. We wondered what the hell they were for. When we got round to asking one of our French neighbours we thought his answer was taking the mickey. It deters cats because they see their distorted reflection and they don't like it. In for a penny,,,, so we now have several bottles spread around the garden where the crats used to cap (I wonder if the lang monitor will spot that one???) and now we have a crat cap free garden!!This is not a wind-up, it really seems to work...John.[/quote]I've seen this in use in Spain ... but didn't know that was the reason.Does this stop dogs too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Nothing stops dogs! But don't you all like a bit of manure on your vegetable patches? [:P]I had seen those bottles too, but didn't know what it was for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonzjob Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 [quote user="Russethouse"] The branches are good idea, especially pyracantha![/quote]We have about 75 yards of pyracantha hedge and I put some down but took it up again after our neighbour's cat got some of it in it's paw and had to go to the vets. It was too thick not to tread on the stuff. No wonder they call it firethorn! Oh how I love that stuff?????[+o(][+o(]You can also get automatic cat water sprayers that you put down where they are using. When a cat appears it sprays a jet of water at it and we all know just how much cats like getting wet... I think I have seen them in the jardinaries?John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Roy Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 I once saw a tip on Gardener's World for protecting new seeds - get old teabags and put a few drops of muscle rub/deep heat type stuff on each, then place just under the soil by the seeds. Cats hate the smell (can't blame them!) and keep off the area.I haven't tried it, but wonder what the garden smells like [blink]P.S. My cat had 4 kittens this morning, she is a clever girl! [:D][:D][:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Oh!! Babies!!!! [:D]Sorry, got a little broody, there!Our neighbour used to put water bottles in the garden to keep our cats away. They came home one day & Harvey (God bless his little soul) was batting it around the garden. Next they tried orange peel - as cats don't like anything citrus - Yup - Harvey ate it. Finally they bought one of those metal cats with goggly eyes - which are supposed to scare other cats away. Need I say more - Harvey beat it up. To be honest our cats never messed up other peoples gardens - it was the stray dogs!! [Www] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perlats Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Have you tried sprinkling pepper on the soil? I find it quite effective although it does need reapplying fairly regularly, especially after rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony F Dordogne Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Well aimed jet from a hose always worked in East London - don't see cats here, had one feral cat a few months ago but that seems to have disappeared.Now as for the other things that carp in the garden .......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renaud Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Plastic washing-up bottles full of water (rather than glass ones) left around where we can grad one and aim a squirt near (not at) the cat used to work for us.I once squirted a mangy looking black cat who looked reproachful then slowly limped away. We took it to the Blue Cross who tended to it then told us the cat would be destroyed unless we could find an owner within a week. We adopted it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Good for you Renaud and, Rob Roy, looks like you're gonna need a lot of teabags [:-))] (though your English is beyond me, I didn't understand what you put on them...). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Roy Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Deep Heat is a trade name for a (horrible smelling but effective!) muscle balm - not to be used straight after a hot bath or shower, otherwise you think the area administered is on fire [:'(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Sorry to slightly change the subject - it was the mention of teabags that did it!! Does anyone have a cat that likes coffee? Penny has taken to drinking any esspresso left in our cups. She charges around the house, like a thing possessed, then gets really whingey & sleeps for hours!! I try to keep her away - but she loves it!! [:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Olives make them go bezerk too. Try them on the vegetable patch... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 [quote user="Christine Animal"]Olives make them go bezerk too. Try them on the vegetable patch...[/quote]Ben eats olives. I'm not joking. Have I just got weird cats? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Well, now you've asked for it Ali haven't you, why on earth should they be weird... ?[8-)]I think this one ate some of your teabags Mary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Brilliant photo!! & you're right - they're just taking after their parents!! [:$] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 A little more expensive than tea bags, but here are a couple more ideas :Répulsif Oiseaux, Chiens ChatsChasseur de Chats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonzjob Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Hi Christine,Was your cat ever in Star Warz? It played a shortassed little git with a nasty little lazer sword?You don't have to go to the extent of warding off the waso, apart from the ring neck doves. You can get the repulsive stuff just for cats. Don't use it just before you sit down for your dinner though unless you are on a no food diet. It don't 'arf chuck up a stink. No wonder the cats don't like it??? Even our chokky labrador won't eat it!!!!John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoddy Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 For me, one of the joys of living in France is that my neighbours don't have cats. In general I don't mind them, but in my garden - NO. I just cannot see why I should defend my garden against other people's pets.Hoddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted May 28, 2006 Author Share Posted May 28, 2006 Two weeks on and it appears that Minette has gone elsewhere to do her biz.We used the cut branches over the area and the bottles of water, although I can't see my own reflection in them but maybe the cat can.Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now