WOMAN’S 19p HACK TO STOP CATS POOING IN GARDEN – AND IT’S SAFE FOR THE PETS TOO
Source: Express (Extract)
Posted: July 25, 2024
One woman was at her wits’ end after a cat decided to use her newly made flower bed as a toilet every day – so she asked for some help and the answer was a simple 19p solution.
Cats are adorable and fluffy, enjoying their independence, which makes them great pets.
However, one downside to sharing space with these feline friends is the inevitable mess they create in your and your neighbors’ gardens when they use them as litter boxes.
Additionally, in their search for the perfect soft spot, cats often uproot carefully cultivated plants, creating quite a disruption.
For gardeners looking to deter these four-legged intruders while keeping their gardens pristine, experts recommend a safe and budget-friendly solution they swear by.
Their effective technique was generously shared after a woman sought help on the Gardening UK Facebook page, according to the Mirror.
Lucy Starling, a garden enthusiast, voiced her frustration about her neighbor’s cats ruining her plants: “What do people use to stop cats from digging up flower beds and using them as toilets? I recently created a new flower bed at the front of my house, and every night a cat comes and digs it up and uses it as a toilet.”
Gardening experts have a consensus on how to keep cats away: the potent power of citrus.
One enthusiast recommended, “Try using citrus fruits. Orange peels are effective because cats dislike their smell.”
Another gardener shared their success story: “Orange peels have worked for me before. Place them daily, and it quickly breaks the cat’s habit and discourages it from using your garden.”
Echoing this advice, another member suggested an aromatic deterrent: “Place slices of citrus fruits along your border. I also use small wind chimes,” they added.
Even cat owners are embracing this fragrant solution. One said, “I use oranges and orange peels—they’re fantastic! As a cat owner, we’ve used them to keep our cat away from certain areas, like the corner of the wall. The smell of the orange peels deters them completely. None of these methods are harmful or cruel; the cats just take one sniff and walk away without any harm or discomfort.”