Garden= cat toilet

[Mother]

Hi, i recently covered some areas front and back of my property with wood chippings to stop weeds growing and to make it look better which has worked a treat, but now it is used by most of the cats in my area as a toilet.
I have cctv fitted and they trigger my recording area every night, so the next day i can see them coming in to do their business.....there seems to be more and more....the word must be out!

Obviously i have Googled this problem but it is a minefield of advice and nothing specific comes up to remedy this problem apart from lion poo or air rifle?

Lion poo is ridiculous and tbh it just another form of crap in my garden that i don't want, and as far as the air rifle goes i actually do like cats but i'm allergic to them lol.

Every time i did find something promising (orange peel, chilli powder) there was always someone who posted "I tried this and it didn't work"....so come on guys what really works?

p.s I have a small child so it has to be something safe.

[virtuo]

I've done exactly the same thing on my front garden and the cats also love it. My dogs seem to be happy enough to go out and eat the evidence whenever they get chance, but I'd rather it wasn't there. Have to admit to being too lazy to actually do anything about it, but if a good suggestion comes up I might give it a go

I always remember people used to fill up empty 2l plastic bottles with water and leave those out on the ground, something with the way they refract light? There are scented sprays/powders you can get that cats don't like and I think little devices you stake in to the ground that emit really high frequencies to scare the cats off. No idea how good they are at the job though.

[scaryjim]

Cats will pretty much poo wherever suits them, sadly. Your best bet is to try various natural deterrents until you find one that seems to work. Orange or other citrus oils will keep a lot of cats away, black pepper is also worth a try. Or if oyu're feeling adventurous try linking a motion detector up to a garnde sprinkler system so they get a quick shower when they come in - should keep most cats away. Ultimately, though, I don't think you'll find a way that will keep all cats at bay - you'll just have to try things and see what works best.

At least you have the advantage that each thing you do try, you'll be recording the results so you'll get a good feel for what works!

[realstock]

Putting wood chippings down, is like a cat invitation to take a dump in your garden.

I have two cats, which must be a deterant because in 3 years only had to dispose of other cats poo maybe twice. My cats even though I allow them outside sometimes, they still come back in the house to have a dump/wee! Typical.

Maybe you should get one of those hairless cats

[kalniel]

Basically, get your own cat. That's about it. We befriended a neighbours cat and even though he doesn't come in the house (allergies) he stops other cats now

[Domestic_Ginger]

Chilli powder is supposed to work. It obviously gets washed away when it rains.
Hose pipe.
Chase the bugger a few meters.
Bear trap?

[peterb]

Or if oyu're feeling adventurous try linking a motion detector up to a garnde sprinkler system so they get a quick shower when they come in - should keep most cats away. Ultimately, though, I don't think you'll find a way that will keep all cats at bay - you'll just have to try things and see what works best.

Sounds a good plan, although a water jet might be better - as long as you don't give the cat an enema.

If the problem is mainly at night, a floodlight triggered by motion sensor might work - although the risk there is that eventually the cat(s) become accustomed to it.

Jeyes fluid might work - but then you may find the smell off putting yourself.

[Mother]

Yeah ive seen the water bottles in peoples gardens but tbh my ocd wouldn't cope with that just lying in the middle of the garden......ive just noticed the wife has dropped a clothes peg onto the decking yesterday and ive just had to go out and get it as it was doing my head in lol........so i'm thinking that the water bottle gives off the cats reflections right?....what about tiny mirrors on top of my fence as this is the route they take to get into my back garden?

@ peterb....i have pir floodlights at the back and side of my property and yes the cats are accustomed to them.


I'm quite liking the chilli powder, but it washing away concerns me as i live in the north east of england, and it rains most of the time up here and could cost me a small fortune to renew?

[Rob_B]

I bought some cat repellant gel stuff, it's basically just citronella. Buy a couple of small bottles of essence from eBay (it's dirt cheap) mix with water in a spray bottle and liberally apply it. ry to avoid getting it on you in concentrated form though or you'll smell of citrus for days

I think it worked, maybe, problem was that rain washes it away but if you apply it often enough at the beginning they should learn to avoid your garden, that and throwing a cup of water at them whenever they appear helps!

[Domestic_Ginger]

Asda has huge pots of chilli powder for not alot. i suppose you could mix it with sand.

[aramil]

Get one/two of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B004...AC_SX110_SY165

Move it around for the first week or so. Spooks them into thinking something annoying is stalking your garden.

[Mother]

I bought some cat repellant gel stuff, it's basically just citronella. Buy a couple of small bottles of essence from eBay (it's dirt cheap) mix with water in a spray bottle and liberally apply it. ry to avoid getting it on you in concentrated form though or you'll smell of citrus for days

I think it worked, maybe, problem was that rain washes it away but if you apply it often enough at the beginning they should learn to avoid your garden, that and throwing a cup of water at them whenever they appear helps!

Might try this Rob_B.....I tried chucking water on them but they run away before i can get near them, ive even resorted to running out my front door shouting GHAAAAAAAATTTTT!!! only to see my neighbours looking at me oddly.......i was washing my car the other day on my drive and one of the culprits that has a limp and a dodgy eye (well i think he has a dodgy eye, either that or he winked at me....Also think hes the leader but not sure?) just calmly walked past me within feet of me and my jet wash....he looked down my drive and then looked at me and then calmly walked down the street like he wasnt arsed.....i could have proper pwned him with my Karcher if i wanted too, but as i seen it he didnt come down my drive so there was no need to spray him......was tempted tho.

[wasabi]

Sheets of tinfoil at random intervals on the ground - most cats hate the sound.

[Mother]

Sheets of tinfoil at random intervals on the ground - most cats hate the sound.

Oh dear god no.................it would do my head in more than the cats. thanks anyway.

[Mother]

Right....just been looking at these fence spikes which would probs sort out the back garden http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1711337067...84.m1423.l2649 has anyone used these?.... are they cat proof? it says in their ad but then again it says cats can walk on broken glass lol.

[scaryjim]

If you'll pardon the pun, not a cat in hell's chance

Firstly, unless you have *no* other neighbours, the cats will simply jump on the fence next door then walk over yours. Secondly, if you have any gaps around, in or under the fence at all (including gates etc.) the cats will just squeeze through. If the cat wants to get in your garden, it will.

I have had another thought though - if there is any inconspicuous part of the garden you can't see and it wouldn't bother you so much, you could try making a more appealing cat toilet! Create a box deep filled with litter, well out of your way, and use something like citronella on the nice wood chips, and in a couple of weeks I'd put money on the cats all using the bit of the garden you want them to. Once you've taught them where the toilet is, they'll keep using it (like realstock's cats going back inside to use the litter tray).