While cats make great pets, they can ruin gardens by using them as toilets and digging up flowers. Luckily, experts have shared how to successfully deter felines from your gardens.
Nuisance neighbourhood cats should never be harmed under the Animal Welfare Act of 2006, yet homeowners often find their gardens ruined. Cats are free to roam wherever they please, which may mean they enter gardens and use them as toilets or playgrounds. A spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “The UK is famous for its love of animals, but affection for our four-legged friends rarely extends to allowing your garden to become a toilet.
“Nobody wants to cause them any harm, but you’ve got to try to stay one step ahead if you want to maintain a clean lawn and undisturbed flower beds.
“Cats are cunning creatures and may become wise to your tricks, so it’s important to regularly vary your methods.
“Homeowners who would rather not welcome felines to their gardens can follow our tips for keeping them out.”
Plants
Introducing certain plants that “cats hate” to problem areas can persuade them to keep out of your garden.
Effective plants include canina (lavender), which humans love the scent of, but it can be slightly too strong for cats.
If you’re planning to grow garlic, it can also help deter cats from your outdoor space.
Spreading coffee granules or citrus peel around the back of your garden can also help to repel cats as they are strong scents.
Rough ground
Similar to other animals, felines hate rough surfaces, so laying chicken wire under mulch or embedding it in the top layer of soil can also help.
Cats will do their best to avoid areas covered in stones or pebbles, too, so placing these around the perimeter of the garden can be successful.
Keep it clean
Above all, it’s important to keep the garden clean by keeping bins secure, decluttering to remove any hiding places for mice, and ensuring there is no food waste around.
The experts added: “Check no potential toys are lying around and dispose of any existing cat poo used to mark their territory.”
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