how do I stop the neighborhood cats from coming in my yard and peeing on my plants and stinking up my patio?

Answer 1

Hi Anthony...Common odours that are effective deterrents for cats and dogs are:

Citronella works best for cats as well as citrus scents (primarily towards cats), cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and mustard oil.

"Havahart's Cat Repellent" uses capsaicin pepper and oil of mustard as its active ingredients. It repels by both taste and odor, has a lemon scent.

Every animal responds differently to each of these. Some will not be phased by them and others will be quite revolting.

For training purposes they are applied on items that are to encourage avoidance behaviours and not for use with a squirt bottle as they could harm the eyes or respiratory system. Test each substance and observe to see which works as a deterrent so that accidental injestion does not occur as some could then be fatal.

Answer 2

The easiest way to take care of this problem is to buy a repelant. There are two products available that work very well. One is called Boundary the other is called Repel. Both come in a granular form and one carton covers approx. 1600 square feet. You can find both these products at Petsmart or Petco for about $10.00. You can use it to sprinkle around the whole parameter of your yard...works like a charm. The only down side is that you need to reapply once a week or so and after heavy rain.

Answer 3

sprinkle paprika on the ground
I've found that my four cats don't seem to like petunias, so I plant them in the front of any flower bed I don't want them to play in. Maybe they don't like the aroma.
Use Mothballs works best if the soil is new but it will work to some degree indoors or out with all soils.
You can also try motion-activated garden sprayers in strategic places to keep cats and dogs away from certain areas--all it does is spray them with water. www.scatmat.com sells them. I haven't tried these, so I can't recommend them.
I have used stones with success. Large enough that they can't scrach. Looks natural and is free. good luck
This works for me (a product from the vet or a mailorder like foster and smith)it's called "bitter apple" it is natural and not very expensive
My suggestion is try a wire screen(mesh)fence about 1 ft around the top of the plant pot itself. You can cover this and try it. It would take a little construction on your part but it might be an idea for you.
I've had good luck placing lava rocks over the soil. Make sure they don't touch the stem, though.
I have heard many times that using preditor markings will keep them away. I can't guarantee that it will work, but it may be worth a try..... Try going to http://www.predatorpee.com/
I'm not sure if you'd call this an all natural solution but it worked for me. My neighbors cat used my azalea bed as a big litter box, scattering mulch and making a big mess. I took ammonia and wiped it on the raised bed's borders (wood) and He hasn't visited my beds since but he still sits with me on the porch occasionally. Hopefully no harm done.

Answer 4

The simplest solution is to get a dog. If you don't want a dog, don't go for mothballs or any other suggestions that are smell related or stuff like that, you'll get pissed with the smell too and that's another thing you have to do everyday and i mean everyday. So the next best thing is to buy the best cat food you can afford and soak it up with anti-freeze, then leave it where the cat usually do his stuff. Walla problem solved.

Answer 5

Get your own cat - a big tomcat. He will establish his territory and everything will be fine. Cats only mark the edges of their territory, not inside it, so you won't get stunk out by your own cat - he will be out at the neighbours' houses stinking up their patios.

Answer 6

Try toy plastic snakes placed around the area the cat will go, our cat will not go near any object that looks like a snake, hose pipes included.

Answer 7

I was told by an animal control officer to put mothballs under my house and in the edges of flower beds.

Answer 8

There are sprays that are made for this and they sell them at Petco and/or Petsmart. There are a few of them for indoors use so read the label and make sure it suits your needs. Good Luck.

Answer 9

well have you tryed putting a high fence so the cats cant come in
are the cats coming into other peoples houses?

Answer 10

Get a guard dog in your yard