Problem With Cats In Garden

[Birdfeeder]

I am having problems with neighbours cats in my garden, leaving large amounts of their dirt on the lawn. I have seen an advert for a plant called Coleus Canina, (scared cat plant). Has anyone experience with this plant and if so was it a success? or any other suggestions would be helpful.

[anotheoldgit]

I purchased an electronic cat scarer, seems to do the trick.

[gness]

I have tried two things lately, Birdfeeder which seem to be working so far.....
In two areas of finely dug, bare soil I had regular cat visits at night.....

I laid a length of hose, about three feet, in each area......and in the larger area I "planted" some unwanted CDs edge on.....
I won't keep them there for long but they seem to be working and training the cat/s to go elsewhere...

My mother put clear plastic bottles half filled with water on her lawn when she had a problem with cats on the lawn.........x

[vulcan42]

I've a number of friends who are gardeners, two of them have used Coleus Canina, one found it very effective, one didn't. Unfortunately neither knows the reasons why one had success and one didn't. The person who didn't have success then bought helichrysum Italicum (Curry herb plant) and found that very effective. I've also heard orange peel scattered is a good deterrent.

[albaqwerty]

I've heard of cd's, half-filled water bottles and orange peel have good effects on deterring the little furballs.

Please do not plant anything that is poisonous to any animal tho

[Jackdaw33]

Why should half-filled water bottles deter cats?

[albaqwerty]

I think, only think, mind you, that it's to do with reflection

[Kathyan]

Are you sure it's cats because they normally bury their waste?

[woofgang]

ha who told you that Kathyann? It just is not true.

[Buenchico]

The RHS website includes a mention of 'Scaredy Cat' but also states: "As with repellent substances some animals appear to ignore the smell".

Other possible solutions here:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=486

Alternatively, get a cat of your own. It will scare the other cats away from its territory but always poo in someone else's garden. I've got four cats and I never have problems with cat poo. My neighbours do though ;-)

[Kathyan]

Woofgang I've had cats all my life and yes they do! We've had indoor cats and they used litter trays and they always buried their waste in the litter.

[woofgang]

well the ones who lived round me before I had dogs definitely did not!....neither were they indoor cats nor did they use litter trays...and yes it was cat poo.

[Gizmonster]

I'll lend you my 2 Yorkies if you want :)
We've lived here for over 11 years now .... can't remember the last time I saw some cat poo in our garden.
We have a cat flap, so the dogs come and go as they please .... I pity the cat that is in our garden when one of them goes out - they hate cats. One of them sits on the settee overlooking the front and I can tell when he sees a cat - he goes mental lol :P

Coincidence - I've just heard the cat flap go, so one (or both) of them is out on patrol lol .....

[Prudie]

I have two cats and they bury their poo but they don't deter other cats and some do just leave it on top of the lawn in my garden. My inlaws detest cats and have two electronic cat scarers which seem to be reasonably effective..

[Birdfeeder]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, the only problem with an electronic scarer is I am told they also deter birds and hedgehogs and I wouldn't want that, I will certainly try some of the other things. Thanks again.

[4candles]

How's your aim - with a water pistol? Most cats hate water on their coat, and there are some pretty powerful pistols on the market these days.

[choux]

Allegedly, lion poo is an excellent deterrent - good luck with that one.
You could lay down some prunings from roses or holly trees.

[anneasquith]

Chilli / garlic powder .

[Birdfeeder]

Thanks for the further suggestions, unfortunately the cats visit mainly during the night , the ones that do appear during the daytime do get a welcome of a bucket of water.