How to stop cats pooping in your garden
There’s nothing more frustrating than spending time maintaining your garden only to step outside and see a neighbourhood cat tearing up flowers, digging holes and worst of all, pooping. Contrary to popular belief, not all poop is good for soil. In fact, cat poop can be very harmful and toxic. If you don’t remove it, then your plants may not even grow.
Solutions
Luckily for you, there are plenty of solutions to the problem. Everything from naturally growing herbs and spices to ultrasonic sounds can be used to deter cats from your garden; however, not all of them have the same level of success and you make have to try a few different options before you find something truly effective.
The first step to solving the problem is assessing the state of your garden. Is it a large open space? Are there specific areas that are targeted? Are there many obstructions? Etc. Only then can you determine which product will be the most suitable. For example, if you have a lot of ornaments in your garden, then an ultrasonic sound device may not be viable as it may not pick up movement; while if you have an open space, it’ll be more effective.
Cat Repellents
Remember to always check the contents of the product before you use it. Some pellets and plant based products could be toxic after long-term exposure and lead to fatal consequences. Because most people aren’t sure which chemicals can cause this problem, they will opt for eco-friendly products.
Most pellet cat repellents are bio-degradable and will cause no harm to cats, plants or soil; however, they will require frequent application. Pellets are very effective if you’re trying to block off small flower patches or specific areas of your garden. If you have a garden filled with obstructions, then they can be very effective in preventing cats from entering in the first place.
Ultrasonic Repellers
Ultrasonic cat repellents are the most common form and are very effective in large open spaces. When these devices detect movement they will activate and project a frequency that’s very unpleasant for cats. Some ultrasonic devices also have infrared activation, which will trigger the sound when they detect heat.
>>Learn more about ultrasonic repellers at Amazon<<
Water Jet Sprayers
Water sprayers are another natural solution. These devices can be hidden among plants, flowers or simply placed in the centre of the garden and will spray a light blast of water when they detect movement. The water scares away the cats and, after time, will prevent them from approaching the problem area altogether.
>>Learn more about jet sprayers at Amazon<<
Herbs and spices can be planted in among problem areas to confuse the cat’s senses. Plants such as lavender and curry have very strong scents which most cats find distasteful and sometimes their presence is all that’s required to solve problems with pooping.
Spikes and chicken wire aren’t the most popular options as they can hurt cats. However, there are humane alternatives made from plastic that won’t cause any injuries.
General Tips
Cat repellent isn’t the only solution. Without taking these general tips into account even the most powerful tools may be rendered useless.
1. Remove cat poop as soon as you see it. Cats will often return to the same place and if you leave their poop in that spot, then it’ll increase their chances of going back there.
2. If you see a cat urinating, immediately wash it away with soapy water to get rid of the smell. When it’s clean and dry, place cat repellent spray or pellets in the area to cover up any excess.
3. If possible, pick up the cat before them every do their business and move them. If you can do this a few times they may learn not to go there.
While these tips are unlikely to work on their own, they will increase the likelihood of your chosen cat repellent from working.
Dangers
Cat poop is often swarming with a parasite named Toxoplasma Gondii. When this parasite is exposed to humans it can lead to serious health issues. Symptoms are similar to the flu, but can last for months.
Contrary to popular belief cat poop is not a natural fertilizer. In fact, it will have the opposite effect and often areas that are exposed will remain infertile for years. Cats will often dig holes and leave their faeces inside, which can make it difficult to remove.
Conclusion
Cat repellents aren’t always effective straight away. It can take days, weeks or even months of exposure until they do the job. You may also have to try out a few different options before you find the right product. If you have a limited budget, try out a few of the natural options first, such as planting herbs and spices and using bio-degradable pellets. If this doesn’t work, then move on to electronic devices. Most people find success when they reach ultrasonic sound repellents; however, if you can find a natural product, you’ll save quite a bit of money.
