Cats using garden as a toilet

[HongKongphooey]

We have a new neighbour moved in next door and she has 5 cats, one of which has had 4 kittens which she is keeping and there are several using my one long flowerbed as a toilet. Today i had to get rid of 15 lots, and this is every 2 days. I know its her cats cos there was no problem before she moved in.
So far I have used cat repellent granules (useless, they scrat it out the way) Electronic cat scarer, again useless as they have been seen sitting next to it. I've tried putting down thorny branches from my Rosebush and bamboo stakes and various obsticles, but these cats are contortionists and these things don't have any effect. Now I have paid £10 for fake Lion dung, but I've used a whole packet already...!
We only have a small back yard with one long flowerbed which I take time to make as colourful as possible from spring to Autumn with lots of flowers and plants. So far they have dug up some of my bedding plants. I have thought of entering the local town in bloom gardens contest but can't with this problem which is really getting me down.
I don't want to confront my neighbour because if I have to live next door I really don't want to fall out with her. So far we are on good neighbourly terms. not great friends but we say hello and sometimes chat. But she is quite a loud personality and could imagine she would make things difficult if I brought this problem up. Please has anyone got any ideas or solutions?

[pauljennifer]

try orange peel

[dotty.]

it's a shame that cat's don't understand what a garden is and where boundaries lie.

[HowardKennitby]

some hints here

http://landscaping.ab.../a/cat_repellents.htm

[Anngel123]

Poor you! It annoys me that dog owners are expected to remove faeces where cats can go whither they please. There is nothing the owner can do to stop it, short of keeping them in and litter training them. You sound like you have tried most of the possibilities. Have you thought of lying in wait and spraying them with one of those children's spray guns? The water would not do them any harm, but they don't like it. It only moves the problem elsewhere though.

[paddywak]

Keep a hose pipe handy and every time you see one give it a blast. if that doesn't work do you know anybody who can lend you a dog for couple of days?

[pastafreak]

Something like this might work....or a good old water pistol. Cats hate water.

http://www.bestpestco...--deterrent-667-p.asp

[HongKongphooey]

Thanks Paulj. orange peel sounds worth a try, and I will check out that website HowardK. My partner has suggested building a motion operated sprinkler system, but the last thing he offered to do round the house took 3 years for him to get round to doing, says me looking at the coat hooks I'm still waiting to get put up!!!!

[janie37]

'Tis a tricky one! I have a small breeding cattery and have cat proofed our garden, not only to stop my cats escaping onto the neighbouring roads, but also to stop them toileting in neighbour's gardens. The only thing I can think of is if you have a largish, but old washing up bowl and fill to half way up with sand pit sand, it may encourage the cats away from your flower bed.

[starone]

I had this problem and came on here for help in solving it. The answer was pepper. I bought a very large container of pepper at Costco and sprayed it liberally round my flower bed and inside round the flowers. It is made from vegetable matter so does not hurt either the cats or the flowers and will biodegrade into the earth. It worked for me. The cats do not like it - it makes them sneeze but does not do them any harm.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't think there is a simple solution, some cats are persuaded by one thing when another isn't bothered.

I've had some success with camphor.

[Answerprancer]

Don't they dig holes then bury it ? If so, don't worry about it - good compost !

[rowanwitch]

mulch all over with dry holly leaves add orange peel pepper moth balls get a dog....then go out every morning an clear up the cat poo

[Old_Geezer]

No, as anyone who has suffered from someone else's pet can tell you, they don't bury it, at least they don't all do. They leave it out for you to step in, or hit with the lawn mower blades, or get on your hands while gardening. Besides a carnivore's mess is not as good compost as a herbivore's

[Anngel123]

Saw this in a House of Bath catalogue: http://www.houseofbat...id=5596#colour:,size:
might work!!

[Manjo]

A Hand full of stones works for me

[Anngel123]

Also found this, when looking for something to deter a heron from eating pond fish...
http://www.primrose.c...-repeller-p-1907.html

[ladybirder]

Worse to come when her cat has it's next litter, plus the female kittens have one or more litters as she doesn't seem bothered about spaying.

[carrust]

I use a powerful water pistol filled with soapy water....The cats don't like it up-'em & they don't like the taste when they're grooming themselves:-)

[jamesnan]

I read that cats do not like used coffee grounds, so my husband pours the last of the coffee pot outside under the window where the cats had decided they like to use - so far it seems to be working.
Another tip is to use a water pistol with a dash of washing up liquid in the water, when they lick their coat, they get a mouthful of bubbles!