If you are having a problem with stray cats in your garden, there are a few tricks you can use to keep them out. First off, try to make sure there are no gaps in your fence where a cat can squeeze through. However, as cats can jump or climb fences or trees next to a fence, just plugging the gaps won't necessarily stop them. You could also invest in string or taut wire across the top. Someone in Australia has developed a roller bar to place on top of fences. As the cat jumps onto it, it rolls and the cat loses its balance. Doing this a few times will discourage all but the most determined cat from trying again.
It is a well-known fact that cats don't like water. There are a few ways you can put this to good use. You could try using a water pistol or spray bottle if you are close by, or you could try turning the hose on them. Most local hardware stores sell motion activated sprinklers. This is a little more expensive, but it doesn't require you to actually be in your yard with the cats. These sprinklers will detect the cat's movement and automatically turn on. It shouldn't take long before the strays get the message. An added advantage of using motion activated sprinklers is that your garden is automatically watered for you. However, this could end up costing you in excess water bills and use up a precious resource.
There are also many devices available that send out high frequency sounds undetectable by human ears. These are designed to deter animals (cats, dogs, mice, rats etc) from coming within range. It's a bit like you hearing a screeching noise. You'd want to move away from that I'm sure. Just make sure that whatever type you buy is strong enough to cover your garden area. Again, you can find models that only work when they detect motion so you are not always sending out that high pitched noise.
Many people choose to keep a dogs as a deterrent, simply because cats are known to to be frightened of dogs. This is fine if you want to have a dog as a pet but possibly overkill if you are only trying to keep the neighborhood cats out!
Protecting your plants is a different story though there are some tricks that you can use.
Try sprinkling mothballs around your plants or borders. You can even sprinkle some along the fence or on your lawn. Cats don't like that smell. Just make sure than no young children could pick them up and eat them. There are many other repellents that you can use as well such as cayenne pepper, tabasco sauce, lavender oil, citronella oil, mustard oil, and even lemon grass oil. Why not try sprinkling some curry or mustard powder around the plants. Of course you need to replace this after watering or rain. Experiment and see what works best for you.
You can also use commercial repellents as well though these will be more expensive than what you can find in your pantry. Commercial repellents also use scents to keep cats away, and shouldn't be used near any food crops because of their high chemical content. You can probably find several varieties at your local department store. Many of these will fend off other animals from your garden as well. Please, if you are using chemical repellants, make sure young children won't be exposed to them or possibly eat them. All chemical products can be lethal for young children. Try to find natural repellants in your hardware store.
If you have a garden, it can be very frustrating if the neighborhood cats and other animals decide to make your garden their home and fight with your own cat. Remember it will take some time to train these intruders to stay away. But if you stick with it, you can prevent them from hassling your cat or messing in your garden or crops.
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