Keeping Cats Out of the Garden
Put something in the flower bed that is uncomfortable to walk on, such as:
- Plastic carpet runner, turned upside-down so teeth are facing upward.
- "Cat Scat" – Commercial product found at some garden supply stores (Lee Valley) consisting of four plastic spiked mats.
- Large pieces of bark muck, pine cones, or chicken wire.
Place something in the flower bed with an odour offensive to cats, such as:
- cocoa mulch
- coffee beans
- citrus peels
- cinnamon
- pipe tobacco
- lavender
- NEVER use cayenne pepper! It can get into their eyes
All these items must be replenished regularly.
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Invest in a motion-activated sprinkler. Again, this is available through a garden supply store (such as Lee Valley). There are also motion-activated devices which blow out compressed air to frighten the animal (with names such as "SSCAT" and "The Ghost"). Some of these are available at local pet stores.
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If you know the cat's owner, try presenting him or her with the gift of a catnip plant for their garden.
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Create an outdoor litter box in a corner of the yard, using sandbox sand. Put a piece of the cat's poop in the sand to help draw them over. Scoop occasionally, and once a month or so, dump and replace the sand.
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There is an ultrasonic device called "Cat Stop" which works for some people, and which Feline Friends Network will lend out for a period of time. If you're interested, contact us at 519-301-5735. The cat stop is also available for purchase in Ontario from Lee Valley Tools (approx. cost $60).
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