6 Ways to Deter Cats from Your Garden
Whether you’re not a fan of cats or you simply dislike them ruining your garden, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of ways to keep them out.
These household pets can cause much disruption, from digging up flower beds and using your lawn as a litter box to scaring away birds.
Today, Atlas Sheds will discuss six easy and harmless ways to keep your neighbourhood cats away from your pretty flower display.
Use Strong Smells That Cats Dislike
Like many animals, cats have sensitive noses and are put off by certain smells.
Several common scents are most effective at repelling cats. They are also easy and affordable to plant in your garden.
1. Citrus Peels or Oils
Fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits smell overwhelming to cats.
You can peel these citrus fruits and place the peels around your garden in areas where cats mostly roam. The most effective areas would be along the bottom of your fence and around flower beds.
For a more concentrated solution, use citrus oils. Mix this with water in a spray bottle and apply it to the areas above. Repeat every few days.
2. Essential Oils Like Lavender or Peppermint
Lavender and peppermint are not fan favourites among cats.
In fact, these oils are known for their calming effects on humans, yet they produce the opposite effect on cats. To deter these animals from your garden, mix either essential oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it to the targeted areas.
3. Coffee Grounds or Vinegar
Most people will have these two items in their home.
Coffee grounds smell unpleasant to cats, so grab a few handfuls and scatter them around plants and high-traffic areas. This will also help to fertilise your soil—a win-win.
You can also mix white vinegar with water in a spray bottle and apply it along garden fences or on surfaces that cats frequent. However, avoid spraying this directly onto your plants, as it can affect their growth.
Install Physical Barriers
Physical barriers are one of the most effective ways to keep cats away from your garden.
While cats are agile and swift, you can maintain certain barriers to prevent them from entering or make your garden less appealing.
4. Use Chicken Wire or Garden Fencing
Many cats will dig underneath a fence or gate or use small holes to ease their way through to the other side.
To stop this from happening, place a layer of chicken wire just below the soil's surface. Make sure the wire is laid loosely enough to give way under foot pressure. This is particularly helpful for flower beds and veggie areas.
As cats love to climb and can reach great heights, many will jump over the fence. To avoid this, place chicken wire or spikes above your fence to prevent them from being able to walk across it.
5. Motion-Activated Deterrents
Motion-activated devices are a humane and low-maintenance way to keep cats out of your garden.
Since cats dislike water, add motion-activated sprinklers to your garden. These will go off any time movement is detected, keeping cats away whilst also watering your plants.
Ultra-sonic devices emit a loud, pitched noise that is undetectable to the human ear. However, cats and other animals find this irritating, deterring them away from your garden.
Use Cat Deterrent Plants
Cat-repellent plants are an easy and eco-friendly way to prevent cats from entering your garden.
This will not only prevent your flower bed from being destroyed but also make your garden look more attractive.
6. Plant Cat-Repellent Flora
Cats find the smell of rue (Ruta Graveolens) unbearable as it emits a strong, bitter smell. Plant this in areas that get the most sunlight and away from human contact, as it can irritate the skin.
Coleus Canina (Scaredy Cat Plant), also known as the 'scaredy cat plant,’ releases a pungent, skunk-like smell. As the name suggests, cats hate the smell. Plant Coleus Canina along fences and in flower beds, where it can get a lot of sunlight.
Thorny plants or spiky shrubs like holly, roses, or hawthorn also create a natural barrier that is both decorative and functional at deterring cats.
Upgrade your Garden with Atlas Sheds
It’s time that you regain control of your garden and create your dream outdoor haven.
Garden furniture, such as tables, chairs, and sheds, can make a world of difference. It can breathe life into your garden, adding functionality and beauty.
At Atlas Sheds, we have a variety of high-quality garden sheds for your home. Browse beautiful summer houses and potting sheds, perfect for gardeners.