Nine ways to keep unwanted cats off your garden

Pebbles, lavender, orange peel, sandboxes and pine cones are among some of the best deterrents to keep unwanted cats off the gardens.

Outdoors specialists GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have revealed nine ways households can stop local cats using their garden as a toilet.

Nuisance neighbourhood cats should never be harmed and are protected under the Animal Welfare Act of 2006, but many homeowners are regularly faced with unwanted feline visits.

Cats are difficult to trace to their owners and even harder to control, so the specialists have listed how the pets can be deterred.

A spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “The UK is famous the world over 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 now follow our nine tips for keeping them out.”

1. Clean up

Make sure bins are secure, declutter to remove an hiding places for mice, sweep up any enticing food waste, check no potential toys are lying around and dispose of any existing cat poo used to mark their territory.

2. Rough ground

Lay chicken wire under mulch or embed it in the top layer of soil (with holes cut out for plants) to create an uncomfortable surface to walk on; cats will also do their best to avoid areas covered in stones or pebbles.

3. Sounds

Purchase a high-frequency, ultrasound device to shoo unwanted visitors, hang a sensitive bell on the garden fence or fill a tin with stones that will rattle when disturbed by a cat.

4. Cat-zone

Create an area specifically for cats to discourage them from exploring other parts of the backyard; pick plants like catnip and insert a sandbox, which will act as a toilet and contain the problem of cat poo.

5. Obstacles

Place a collection of pine cones or branches in gaps around bedding to form a bristly obstacle for cats without ruining the natural look of the garden or causing them pain.

6. Pungent plants

Introducing smelly plants that cats hate to problem areas could persuade them to head elsewhere; effective choices may include coleus canina or lavender.

7. Other smells

Commercial cat repellent containing predators’ odour could have them retreating, whilst spreading coffee granules or citrus (orange, lemon, lime or grapefruit) peel around the backyard might also repel feline visitors via their noses.

8. Get a dog

One sure way to put off any cats from visiting your property is to have a loud and lively canine ready to greet them with an enthusiastic bark.

9. Water pistol

Have a children’s water pistol filled and available to gently drive away any unruly cats that persistently invade the garden.