Proven ways to deter cats

tampadragon

So to start with, I'm pissed that it's ok for peoples cats to roam the estate and dig up my plants and shit in my front garden!

It frustrates me so much!

I want to keep the cats away without harming them, as I don't condone violence towards animals, even if they are pointless little shits!

So any suggestions on proven methods to keep away the cats?

ThePrettyDamned

Small alarms. They emit a horrible high pitched noise that we barely hear, but cats absolutely hate. When they trigger the sensor it goes off.

I'll add, though, they're generally audible to human folk too. But it doesn't carry through walls so it's generally not a problem. My girlfriend's family used to have terrible problems before putting a couple of those out around the veggie patch.

xSkarloey

I hear Nigel Farage, Dave Cameron and Chris Evans are looking for new gigs.... :-\"

TheMarlin

Dogs?

fretmeister

Some pet shops sell pellets of Tiger shit.

Drop a few of them around the place. The average tabby will be petrified and stay well away. I used them at my last place and they were excellent.

not_the_dj

Same issue here.

We've tried a few products like "Get Off" and that one that's made of Lion poo, but nothing seems to really stop them.

fretmeister

The best way is getting your own cat.

Just a thought.

Bogwhoppit

We've been having this issue for years ever since our dog died. I have literally tried everything from sonic devices, chemical deterrents and motion detector water squirters

We are the only garden in the area without a dog, so every cat use's our garden has an adventure play area and toilet. The only real deterrent is a dog.

paganskins

I noticed our neighbour opposite is employing plastic forks stuck handle first into their flower beds with just the heads and tines showing, they had previously been using the alarms but every passing car was setting them off.

I'm not advocating the forks, though I expect most cats would have the sense not to put their feet down on them (the forks are bright white), but I expect it does deter squatting.

Heartfeltdawn

tampadragon said:

So any suggestions on proven methods to keep away the cats?

Anti-personnel mines. My lawn has never looked better and it keeps the local kebab shop well stocked. 

Fretwired

This?

http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/catwatch-cat-deterrent.html

jamiexsilver

I use vinegar and coffee, that seems to do the trick.

menamestom

I'm interested in this as well.  I've tried locking the cat flap but they just don't get the message

:-S

Bogwhoppit

Fretwired said:

This?

http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/catwatch-cat-deterrent.html

I had two of those, and they never worked. One cat used to sit next to it, the other take a dump behind it.

EricTheWeary

Our dog; always come back to cat shit and sometimes a dead bird in the garden if we've been on holiday but SirSmellalot's presence keeps them off generally. My mother has a phobia about cats and my father tried various things to keep them away but nothing worked long term. A visit from us with an angry Jack Russell does the trick for a bit though.

tampadragon

We have a dog, but he can't see out the front from the living room, and so as such doesn't scare them. 

He has chased a few out of the back garden now, and the only ones we get out the back are new cats, who don't visit for long!

I have looked at the Sonic devices, but have heard mixed things about the effectiveness of them! I wouldn't get our own cat as I'm not a cat person, and as stated I don't agree with them being allowed to just roam free and shit everywhere!

RandallFlagg

Build a sandbag machine gun nest near your front door with 2 MG42s pointed at 45 degrees and a box of potato masher grenades.

tampadragon

RandallFlagg said:

Build a sandbag machine gun nest near your front door with 2 MG42s pointed at 45 degrees and a box of potato masher grenades.

Now, I love the sound of that, but I'm not sure the cats will understand what they are, and firing them would go against the no cruelty clause!

I have considered a machine gun nest with a hose pipe and some kind of PIR triggered valve, to just soak them when they enter my lawn, but I'm lazy and it sounds like a lot of work!

Iamnobody

We've got two cats and a dog. Our dog would probably kill another cat if he got the chance (in his own garden).

Notwithstanding this next door's cat is an ever present in our garden. He actually goads our dog through the patio door...

So I'm going to say a dog might not be the answer likewise your own cat.

Nitefly

Pepper.

Haych

Cayenne pepper works well but it needs frequent replenishing and is thus expensive and time intensive.

I used to have a water squirter thing which used to go off when triggered by a motion sensor - that worked quite well until the kids broke it, they thought it was hilarious!

Lilies also work well......... kind of......... after the fact..........  :-\"