Deter cats from gardens using 3 items gardeners ‘swear by’—they’re ‘great’ fertilisers too
If you're struggling with cats using your garden as a toilet, try using common kitchen scraps to naturally deter them.
Felines are free to roam wherever they please, which can be a little irritating when you work so hard on your outdoor space. From using it as a toilet to digging up plants, cats love to explore. However, if you’re finding they are becoming a nuisance, it may be worth taking steps to try to deter them.
It’s impossible to completely deter a cat from entering your garden, but there are some natural ways which could help, according to an online forum. Posting on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook group, an anonymous participant asked for some advice.
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The post read: “I’m at my wits' end. The neighbourhood cats have taken to using my garden as a toilet. What can I use to stop this habit, and what can I use after I’ve removed the mess to stop them coming back? I really hate cleaning up, and I’m doing this at least a couple of times a day.”
Other people struggling with the same issue commented on the post nearly 150 times, all recommending food scraps.
How to stop cats entering your garden
1. Chilli flakes
Becky Atkinson wrote: “I sprinkle chilli flakes every two weeks. They don’t eat it because they hate the smell. It deters them from coming back.”
Thomas Harding commented: “I use chilli flakes too, they’re super cheap and I only use them to deter pests.”
2. Citrus peel
Michelle Ellen said: “Put orange peel down around your garden. Cats dislike citrus, and it won’t hurt your garden either.
“Simply chuck lemon or orange peel around once you’ve finished with the fruit and watch them never come to your garden.”
Lisa Monks added: “My mum is a keen gardener and we swear by orange peel. She has it on her lawn, seems to work.”
Furthermore, citrus peel can also be effective at deterring mosquitoes and other pests in the summer months.
3. Coffee grounds
Ronny Armitage recommended using coffee grounds because felines “absolutely hate” the smell and texture of them.
The gardener said: “We sprinkle them in the border and it really works. Harmless to cats too.
“I have been told some coffee shops will give you their used grains if you don’t have your own.”
Jill Thomas added: “I’ve tried many things and the coffee seems to be very effective. Great fertiliser too.”
