It is currently Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:02 am

All times are UTC - 6 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Non-toxic deterent
PostPosted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 3:39 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:53 pm
Posts: 2
Location: DALLAS,TEXAS
We provide care to a small colony of feral cats that we have TNR. The only problem is that they tend to use my garden and flower beds
as a large litter box. I would like to put something out on the beds that would discourage this practice and not harm the cats or my organic
program. Would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,
Elaine


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Non-toxic deterent
PostPosted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 7:28 pm 
Offline
Moderator
Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2003 8:09 pm
Posts: 1917
Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS
In the house I've heard of people putting crinkly paper or foil on potted plants to keep cats out, but in the garden that probably wouldn't work. If you can get a motion detector that would turn on a sprinkler or make a noise (there are quite a few animal repellents that work that way) or there is a product I found online called "cat scram." I suppose it works along the line of rabbit and all of the other "scram" products.

Scram for Cats Repellent - maybe someone will come along with another suggestion, but you might want to look for reviews of this products. Since the website says it is a mix of aromatic plant oils, you could also try your own mix to see what would chase them off. I'd start with red cedar chips and see if that smell isn't strong enough to deter them from using the garden.

My cats were house cats so I don't have much to offer as far as that experience. Every spring it seems after I dig up the beds one of the neighbor cats decides to try it out, but for whatever reason, maybe because I put down wood chips after I finish working on beds, after a time or two they move on and leave it alone.

_________________
Northwesterner


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Non-toxic deterent
PostPosted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 4:30 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:53 pm
Posts: 2
Location: DALLAS,TEXAS
Thanks Northwesterner, I will check into it.
Elaine


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Non-toxic deterent
PostPosted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 4:39 pm 
Offline
Moderator
Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2003 8:09 pm
Posts: 1917
Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS
Or you could put down lava rock in the bed. They hate that, but I don't like the way it looks. No one wins that way! :-/

_________________
Northwesterner


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Non-toxic deterent
PostPosted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 3:27 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:37 am
Posts: 3
Someone once suggested to me that I put lime peel down, also black pepper or cider vinegar.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Non-toxic deterent
PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:58 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2013 4:02 pm
Posts: 4
This is a late reply. Do not use vinegar on a garden, only in a mix in small amounts. But to deter cats, try hair. Get some from a local barber shop and put it around the garden. Also, hot pepper flakes, powdered mustard. Or mix all three. I have used this and it does work.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Non-toxic deterent
PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:07 am 
Offline
Moderator
Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2003 8:09 pm
Posts: 1917
Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS
Vinegar is a general herbicide and the table strength (5%) can damage plants. If the cat is accustomed to people, I question whether human hair will make a difference. I brush my dogs and keep the hair to put in the garden to keep rats and mice away from my ripening crops.

Here is a list of approved pest control products - see if any of these might work. And there sit is Scram for Cats.

_________________
Northwesterner


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Non-toxic deterent
PostPosted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 8:37 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2013 4:02 pm
Posts: 4
The human hair will chase "feral" cats. The original question was for feral cats, not domesticated. :)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Non-toxic deterent
PostPosted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:11 pm 
Offline
Moderator
Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2003 8:09 pm
Posts: 1917
Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS
If you're feeding them they're not completely feral, they're depending on humans for food.

_________________
Northwesterner


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 6 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by eWeblife