It is frustrating to spend time caring for your garden only to find neighbourhood cats using it as a bathroom, but there’s an easy way to keep these curious visitors away. Cats are more likely to come into gardens in summer as the weather is more comfortable for them to explore, and the soil tends to be softer, making it easier for them to dig.
If you spot a cat using your garden as their personal litter box, it is incredibly important to get them to move along, as their faeces can introduce harmful bacteria and parasites to the soil. Luckily. Matt, a expert from Greenhouse Stores, has shared there is a safe and natural way to keep cats out of your garden using only a few ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
He said: “Here’s a simple fix: grab a spray bottle and mix one cup of water, two spoons of lemon juice, a few sprigs of rosemary and a splash of white vinegar.”
Lemon juice might seem simple, but it is one of the best solution to repel cats, as they have highly sensitive noses that hate pungent smells.
White vinegar has a very bitter scent that cats can find overwhelming, while rosemary has a pine-like aroma that will also irritate them.
Cats are creatures of habit and typically mark only areas where they feel safe. Introducing strong, unfamiliar scents disrupts their sense of comfort and encourages them to move elsewhere.
These new smells can also make cats feel threatened, as they may associate them with the presence of predators and can signal potential danger.
How to make a homemade spray to keep cats away
All you need to do is pour around 250ml into an empty spray bottle. Then add one part lemon juice, one part white vinegar and some rosemary sprigs.
Spray the solution around fences, gates and pathways on your property. Try to avoid grass and plant as, while it will not do them too much harm, the acidic ingredients can still sting them.
Keep spraying the solution a few times a week, especially after it rains, and it should keep any pesky felines away from your garden.
It should be noted that lemons are great at deterring cats away from the garden but do not scatter the peels on the ground as they are poisonous to them.
Likewise, cats will also hate the smell of coffee since it is so bitter but do not spread any of the grounds in your garden as even a small amount can be harmful.
Cats are unlikely to eat substances that disgust them, but even a small curious lick could hurt them, so simply use these ingredients in a bottle with water as it will be just as effective.