Cats roaming your flower garden can be very annoysome, but there are numerous strategies you can employ to deter their visits – some quick and simple while others require additional thought and work.
One way of dissuading cats from returning is using cat repellent spray with scents that they find unpleasant, such as lemon grass. Although this strategy may work initially, repeat applications may be necessary as scents fade over time.
Tape
Cats can be an enormous pest in flower gardens, using them as outdoor litter boxes and degrading soil quality. Furthermore, they chew on plants and dig holes that destroy their roots – leading to additional soil depletion. There are numerous strategies available for keeping cats out of flower gardens; you may opt for physical barriers to keep cats at bay, or commercial repellent sprays designed not to harm plants themselves.
An effective nontoxic way of deterring cats from your garden is covering it in tin foil. This will make walking on it difficult and leave their paws sticky after they come near it. Another solution includes spreading coffee grounds around your flowers as this also repels cats.
Other methods may include placing sharp objects in the area, scattering citrus peels and mothballs as scented plants, using chicken wire fences to cover flower beds, and planting rue or lavender which naturally repel cats.
Citrus peels
Cats dislike citrus scents and can be easily deterred with citrus peels scattered throughout the garden as an inexpensive and natural cat deterrent solution. Just save up your orange, lemon or lime peels, shred them into fine shreds and scatter them around to deter cats from entering your flower garden – this natural approach won’t harm cats in any way and should be done regularly as their scent will eventually wear off after some time.
Other methods may involve the use of commercial cat repellent sprays formulated to make cats uncomfortable and prevent them from coming to an area, which are relatively affordable and will not harm plants.
Some gardeners believe that scattering ground black pepper or cayenne pepper on flowers will deter cats from visiting, although this method may not work with all cats. Another method would be planting cat-repelling herbs like lavender, lemon thyme and rue which have long been recognized for their properties of repelling cats; additionally marigold flowers have long been touted to have this ability as well.
Objects with strong odors
Cats love gardens because they provide them with the perfect space for hiding, playing and hunting. Unfortunately, however, gardens also present a temptation for cats who use open soil as litter boxes; therefore finding ways to prevent this is key in order to keep flower beds free from cats’ use as litter boxes.
One effective method is sprinkling coffee grounds around an area, as this will make walking uncomfortable for cats and thus will eventually deter them.
Orange or lemon peels can also serve as an effective deterrent, although this approach may attract flies or other pests that cause problems.
Some experts advocate using multiple techniques at once as the best way to keep cats out of flower gardens. Laying chicken wire on the ground may help deter cats from walking through and scratching at flowers; perennial geranium leaves with their sharp spikes can also act as deterrents against cats entering.
Mesh cloth
MDF mesh cloth can help deter cats from visiting your flower garden by blocking their view of its plants. You can purchase one at any hardware store and place it around areas you wish to prevent cat visits, such as the front of the house. However, this method isn’t foolproof as cats may still walk around it and find their way into your flower beds.
Plant Coleus canina to deter cats from using your flower beds as toilets. This plant smells strongly of urine and effectively deters felines. Ideal for areas that might attract cats.
Motion-activated sprinklers are another cost-effective solution to protecting flower beds from cats, which may enter by entering. These inexpensive and easy to set-up devices are inexpensive as well, deterring other animals such as raccoons or deer from entering. But be warned: you might get hit by these sprinklers yourself! Just remember it won’t harm humans.