If cats are using your garden as a personal litter box, it’s important to try and deter them from coming back as their faeces can introduce harmful bacteria to the soil
Gardeners have been left frustrated as they find their crops being used as litter trays by neighbourhood cats, but fear not, for there’s a nifty trick to deter these feline intruders. With the arrival of summer, cats are more inclined to roam and dig in gardens due to the pleasant weather and softer soil.
If you catch a cat treating your garden like its own private loo, it’s crucial to shoo them away promptly because their droppings can spread nasty bacteria and parasites into your soil. Fortunately, Matt from Greenhouse Stores has come to the rescue with a safe, natural remedy to keep pesky cats at bay using common kitchen staples.
He advised: “Here’s a simple fix: grab a spray bottle and mix one cup of water, two spoons of lemon juice, a few sprigs of rosemary and a splash of white vinegar.”
Lemon juice may sound too good to be true, but it’s actually a top-notch cat repellent, thanks to their ultra-sensitive sniffers that recoil at strong odours. White vinegar emits a sharp tang that’s just too much for kitty noses, and rosemary’s piney scent is another feline turn-off, reports the Express.
Since cats are creatures of habit who only mark their territory where they feel secure, introducing these potent, unfamiliar smells will unsettle them and encourage them to decamp to other areas. These unfamiliar scents can make cats feel threatened, as they might link them with the presence of predators and potential danger.
How to make a homemade spray to keep cats away
Apply the solution around fences, gates and pathways on your property. Try to avoid grass and plants as, while it won’t cause too much damage, the acidic ingredients can still sting them.
Continue spraying the solution a few times a week, particularly after rainfall, and it should keep any troublesome felines away from your garden.
It’s worth noting that lemons are excellent at keeping cats away from the garden but don’t scatter the peels on the ground as they are toxic to them.
Similarly, cats will also detest the smell of coffee due to its bitterness but refrain from spreading any of the grounds in your garden as even a small quantity can be harmful.
Cats are unlikely to consume substances that repel them, but even a small curious lick could harm them, so simply use these ingredients in a bottle with water as it will be just as effective.
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