Plants that are deterrents to cats

[TopCat1]

What plants can I get to keep the cats out, and when and how should I plant them.

Thanks, Im desperate as my little girl is aching to play in garden once the good weather comes and at the minute the neighbours cat use it as a litter tray.

[shaneystar2]

Cats hate pungent smells so try anything with a strong smell.
Coleus canina is one which you can plant out soon.Put it tubs so you can move it round the garden to foil them .

http://www.hedging.co.uk/acatalog/product_5460 9.html

Those "Get Off my Garden " crystals are good to.Or the aptly named Lion Dung which you can get at garden centres.
I would have a word with the neighbours though ..it's not nice with small children playing in the garden I have stood in it and then tramped it through the house not realising...and it stinks !
If the neighbours won't play ball then get a water pistol and each time you see a cat squirt them with water .It won't hurt them and they may get the message .
Why people can't train them to go on their own patch in a litter tray is beyond me.

[munchiepea]

hi top cat , i have the same problem ,the close i live in must have at least 50 cats in it and they are allowed to roam free day and night, i have tried everything pepper dust , jelly crystals etc. through to cocoa shells (from garden centres) these were good as they are rough on the cats paws and you need to keep it deep and topped up as it decomposes like compost and they don't like it and it makes your garden smell of chocolate!! i am currently on one of those high pitched noise things that you plug in but if it is not at the right height they still get in to dig up and poo and am currently trying different postions around the garden to stop them doing there mess! i hate cats now because of this having never had a garden until 4 years ago it is the bain of my life and dread weekends when the weather is nice as the smell is awful mostly from the spraying that they do on the walls to mark there territory which annoys me as it is my territory! any way good luck do try the cocoa shells but if not try an air rifle i know i want too!!!!!

[TopCat1]

Thanks for your reply folks. I am at my wits end, for some reason, every cat in our cul-de-sac gather in our garden. There would be one sitting on the oil boiler, one on the conservatory window, one on the car bonnet, and at least two lurking about, at any given time. Its driving me MAD.

I used to be an animal lover, but I actually found myself driving into my driveway yesterday, and being disappointed that I nearly missed one that walked in front of the car.. Awful I know.

But anyway, thanks again. I will give your advise a try:-)

[Matheous]

It IS sad that people don't consider the consequences of keeping pests (sorry, -pets !) and the effects on their neighbours and the possible breakdown of relationships.

I am actually moving house because of dogs who are openly encouraged to use the garden daily for their toilet needs. This of couse would be fine if all dogs were vegetarian.....!

[iheartruby]

Yes - rather awful that you were disappointed to have not run the cat over - that saddens me to read - that is somebody's pet. I'd hate to think about someone who disliked children and thought along the same lines!!!
Cats will spray their territory and not much will stop them - it's nature.
A serious suggestion - have you thought about actually getting a cat yourself? That way the garden will become their territory and hopefully keep other cats out. At the moment it seems to be a free for all by all your neighbourhood cats as nobody 'owns' it - sounds silly but it's true. My cat certainly makes sure no cats get in her garden.
If all else fails (orange peel, KeepOff crystals, washing any urine sprayed surfaces with Jeyes fluid) - please have a little patience - they really can't help what they do.

[TopCat1]

iheartruby, I would NEVER hurt any creature, I didn't mean it litterally. I just see my garden as one big litter tray, and I know its gonna be a major problem for me when the good weather comes in and my little girl wants to play in it. I'm also 7 months pregnant and not having a good pregnancy, so the last thing I need is the additional cleaning up of cats, that don't even belong to me.

As for getting a cat myself. We had to look after the inlaws cats for nearly 2 years while they lived in another country. The cats lived in their own house, but my husband and I had to go down twice a day to feed, clean litter tray and let them out/back in, and it put both my husband and I off ever having one.

[iheartruby]

I'm sure you wouldn't hurt an animal - but writing things like that is obviously going to provoke a response!
As I said, I don't have that problem as my cat sees them off but other than getting a cat (or a dog!) it's a difficult problem to tackle. True, they don't like strong smelling plants so give that a whirl (google for these plant names). The other thing a behaviourist has recommended is, if you see them in your garden, make a loud noise to alarm them (such as baging in a tin with a spoon) - eventually they may learn that your garden isn't pleasant. Again, this is hard as a lot of cats are out at night. Or, try putting tin foil down in various parts of the garden where you find them going - they don't like walking on it.
Good luck with your cruelty free cat deterrent!! And most of all, good look with your new baby ;-)