I need a deterrent to keep cats out of my yard. They are male strays that come over and fight at night and during the days they chase my dogs.
Hardiness Zone: 8a
By Ethel Martinez from Boyd, TX
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
There are hose and lawn sprinklers that come with motion detectors on them. When movement is detected, they turn on and drench the offending invader. This would work for cats, possums, and other night creatures. Just GOOGLE it and I am sure you can find a source. It was first invented for deer, but will work for all critters. If the spray doesn't hit them, the sudden noise will cause them to find other quieter places to prowl.
Moth balls are toxic to humans and animals. DON'T use them.
I found keeping my water hoses connected, a blast in the face was a reminder. I now have a dog and don't have issues either. Being consist will send the signal of which yards to stay away from.
For creating noise factor, bang a foil pie pan with cooking spoon, and run after them. I work too hard to have others cats or animals destroy my yard. Mine do not leave the property (leashed) nor do the kids damage or destroy anyone else's. So I expect my neighbors with pets to contain or control theirs. No excuse accepted.
I so agree. I have a cat who is wonderful and all (at least 15) of my neighbors cats are spraying everywhere. I am beside myself.
Pet shops, and possibly hardware stores, have different kinds of repellents to keep animals away from areas of your yard. I used to sprinkle hot, peppery types of spices around, but then someone on this forum told me it could hurt the animals' noses.
I have read they don't like citrus, especially lemon. So to water down lemon scented dish soap and spray the area they are in. I have never personally tried it but might be worth a try.
I had the same problem, someone told me to use mothballs. You can get a box at the Dollar Store, just place them around the yard. Cats do not like the smell. It worked for me, hope it works for you.
Mothballs are poisonous to cats and dogs. Please to not use them.
Not only should you not use mothballs, but you should also check that any products you use outdoors or indoors do not content naphthalene. Naphthalene is the component of mothballs that can cause cancer to animals and humans, along with the para-dichlorobenzene, or PDCB, contained in some air fresheners.
Mothballs contains naphthalene. Naphthalene is a cancer-causing chemical to animals and humans.
Use coffee grounds. You can either use cheap coffee or used coffee grounds. I used sprinkle it all around the soil, especially near my bushes and garden area. The coffee grounds deter the cats because they don't like the smell of coffee but it smells good to me.
Please do not use mothballs! They are toxic to the envirnment and toxic to your dogs and children who might possibly get ahold of them! Citrus works well but has to be reapplied after a rain or watering.
You mention they are strays. Have you tried calling your local humane society to see if there is anyone in your area who could capture them because they are a nuisance and could possibly be harmful to your pets or others? If not, perhaps you could borrow or rent an animal friendly trap and take them to your local shelter once caught.
Do not use mothballs. They are toxic, and the smell of them is far worse than the smell of cat urine. There are cat repellent products that you can buy. I have had good success with those. I have had good success with splashing lemon scented Mr. Clean , full strength, on the areas where the cats had left their scent, side of house, garage door, etc. I did this in winter when it was too cold to wash the urine off, and it seemed to take care of the problem. I don't know if you could use this somehow to keep them off of the lawn.
Lemon rinds work. However, you would need to cut the rinds into long thing pieces. It would take a lot and need replacing every now and then.
Have you tried liberal amounts of cayenne pepper? My neighbor had a similar problem and she permeated the area with cayenne and poof no more cats. Good luck!
stormy10000 from Ca.
Try buying 1 or 2 Lavender plants & put them in front or back yard-or wherever you see them enter.It's very fragrant-& cats hate the smell. Also refer to my tip for cats in garden in Tip-Contest. Don't know if it's true-but also heard Mint & Spearmint work too,but keep confined,because it spreads easily & will take over if planted in ground, & stays forever! Good Luck.
My neighbor feeds stray cats and has growing mint ...doesn't work
Call animal control or the humane society for suggestions.
In San Diego we have a feral cat coalition that traps feral cats, spays or neuters them and then releases them. This is the only way to decrease their population without actually killing them off. Ask you local ASPCA, shelter or humane Society.
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
