Discussion
Since the last of my dogs died last year, some local cats have decided my gravel drive is now a safe and fun place to meet up and play. I really don't mind them coming in and sunning themselves, but they are also using it as their 'dumping' ground.
Combined with the colour of gravel it is difficult to see in daylight and impossible to see in the early morning. Today was the second time I've noticed a strange smell drifting up from the footwell where I've stepped into one of their deposits as I've left for work, and once it's been ground into the carpet it's a smell that lasts!
So I'd be grateful for any suggestions and experiences on how to stop/deter my furry visitors for good. I've seen the 'Super Soaker' videos on line but this isn't really a feasible option, also reading reviews of products found online at best show they only work for a short time. Help!!!
Combined with the colour of gravel it is difficult to see in daylight and impossible to see in the early morning. Today was the second time I've noticed a strange smell drifting up from the footwell where I've stepped into one of their deposits as I've left for work, and once it's been ground into the carpet it's a smell that lasts!
So I'd be grateful for any suggestions and experiences on how to stop/deter my furry visitors for good. I've seen the 'Super Soaker' videos on line but this isn't really a feasible option, also reading reviews of products found online at best show they only work for a short time. Help!!!
Tried most stuff to no avail.
Got some repellent that smells like strong garlic from the garden centre, sprinkle that around from time to time but not really convinced and the rain washes it away. Also a motion triggered sprinkler which is amusing but difficult to set up so that it doesn't false trigger all the time, doesn't cover a particularly large area either. The kids spent a lot of time running in front of it though. Water pistol is also worth having to hand but you do have to be there to see them and get them. Eldest got a Nerf gun for his birthday but I've yet to have the opportunity to give them a volley from that.
Might have to get a dog!
Got some repellent that smells like strong garlic from the garden centre, sprinkle that around from time to time but not really convinced and the rain washes it away. Also a motion triggered sprinkler which is amusing but difficult to set up so that it doesn't false trigger all the time, doesn't cover a particularly large area either. The kids spent a lot of time running in front of it though. Water pistol is also worth having to hand but you do have to be there to see them and get them. Eldest got a Nerf gun for his birthday but I've yet to have the opportunity to give them a volley from that.
Might have to get a dog!
Willy Nilly said:
6 shot pump action.
Maybe for the owners! I can't understand the mentality to think it is ok for a pet cat to wander into other peoples garden and sh*t on their property because 'you can't keep them in the garden'. As a dog owner you take the responsibility to keep it secured at home and pick up their mess when out on a walk. It drives me mad because the neighbours are nice people but give the impression they can't understand why I think there is problem
Thanks for the suggestions, the citrus and chilli I will give a go but have read they are not a long term fix. The cucumber clips were very funny but somehow I think the cats will get used to them
If nothing else works it'll be poisoned traps....for the owners
Google [bot] said:
Try a positively reviewed sonic thing.
You can't blame the owners, cats are not dogs, they aren't controllable.
Good advice (I hope) about the ultrasonic deterrent, I've been doing more research and found this on the RSPB site: http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/catwatch-cat-deterrent... there are mostly positive reviews so I'll put an order in. While waiting I will try the citrus and chilli and try to make a comparison.You can't blame the owners, cats are not dogs, they aren't controllable.
Big issue with you about owners though. The excuse they aren't controllable isn't acceptable. With ownership should come responsibility, if you can't control it to the extent it causes distress/inconvenience/expense to others then don't buy it in the first place. I shouldn't have to scrub cat sh*t from my cars carpets because they want a pet they can't control!
s6boy said:
Big issue with you about owners though. The excuse they aren't controllable isn't acceptable. With ownership should come responsibility, if you can't control it to the extent it causes distress/inconvenience/expense to others then don't buy it in the first place. I shouldn't have to scrub cat sh*t from my cars carpets because they want a pet they can't control!
That's not how the law or society works. Cats exist, and are allowed to do these things. Move to somewhere where this isn't true, successfully campaign to have the law changed, or scare them off. Pick one. Live with it.(The same principals apply for people who don't like us owning "weekend" or track cars)
I have wondered about acquiring a pack of Jack Russells and hiring them out to sort out householders cat issues, might call my new business venture Rent A Russell.
Joking aside, I don't dislike cats, but there are at infestation levels around here, they s
t everywhere and kill all sorts of wild life.
Joking aside, I don't dislike cats, but there are at infestation levels around here, they s
t everywhere and kill all sorts of wild life. I'm a cat owner, my neighbours have two cats each. Naturally there is some 'competition' for garden bathroom rights.
It took me a year to figure out, but I gave my cat an 'eco-friendly' cat toilet outside the back door. it's only two square feet of loose John Innes compost, surrounded by old bricks, about the size of a cat tray.
Tiddles' output gets buried, breaks down rapidly and doesn't smell, and she confines her 'doings' to the compost, not other people's gardens. The other cats ignore it. Compost then goes into the flower beds each spring. Geraniums love it.
So maybe you could confine the dastardly mogs to a couple of square feet of freshly dug earth near where they congregate.
As to cats decimating wildlife, some of them do. But neither of mine over the last ten years ever killed anything, despite having a garden full of finches and starlings, though my neighbour constantly finds dead mice under her bed as an 'offering.'
There's some research showing that birds are sensitive to colours such as red, so Tiddles has a 'bird-friendly' red and blue reflective cat collar. So far; Birds; hundreds, Cat: Nil.
Nobody understands cats, though.
It took me a year to figure out, but I gave my cat an 'eco-friendly' cat toilet outside the back door. it's only two square feet of loose John Innes compost, surrounded by old bricks, about the size of a cat tray.
Tiddles' output gets buried, breaks down rapidly and doesn't smell, and she confines her 'doings' to the compost, not other people's gardens. The other cats ignore it. Compost then goes into the flower beds each spring. Geraniums love it.
So maybe you could confine the dastardly mogs to a couple of square feet of freshly dug earth near where they congregate.
As to cats decimating wildlife, some of them do. But neither of mine over the last ten years ever killed anything, despite having a garden full of finches and starlings, though my neighbour constantly finds dead mice under her bed as an 'offering.'
There's some research showing that birds are sensitive to colours such as red, so Tiddles has a 'bird-friendly' red and blue reflective cat collar. So far; Birds; hundreds, Cat: Nil.
Nobody understands cats, though.
s6boy said:
Big issue with you about owners though. The excuse they aren't controllable isn't acceptable. With ownership should come responsibility, if you can't control it to the extent it causes distress/inconvenience/expense to others then don't buy it in the first place. I shouldn't have to scrub cat sh*t from my cars carpets because they want a pet they can't control!
s6boy said:
Big issue with you about owners though. The excuse they aren't controllable isn't acceptable. With ownership should come responsibility, if you can't control it to the extent it causes distress/inconvenience/expense to others then don't buy it in the first place. I shouldn't have to scrub cat sh*t from my cars carpets because they want a pet they can't control!
I may or may not agree, but in reality even a legislative cat ban isn't going to resolve your problem. So relax and constrain your thoughts to what you can control.Google [bot] said:
s6boy said:
Big issue with you about owners though. The excuse they aren't controllable isn't acceptable. With ownership should come responsibility, if you can't control it to the extent it causes distress/inconvenience/expense to others then don't buy it in the first place. I shouldn't have to scrub cat sh*t from my cars carpets because they want a pet they can't control!
I may or may not agree, but in reality even a legislative cat ban isn't going to resolve your problem. So relax and constrain your thoughts to what you can control.You've just got to love the internet, but briefly.
I thought it was clear that my thoughts are with what can be controlled hence the question regarding a deterrent in the first place, not to introduce a law. And who even mentioned a ban?
I won't be moving just to create a cat free utopia, and I don't get the car analogy at all.
To avoid any mis-understanding I am not anti cat, I do not want to ban them and I do not want to harm them.
I do want to deter them from cr#pping on my drive though. And I do think owners should be more responsible.
Thanks for the constructive tips. The sonic deterrent linked earlier should be on its way.
Peace to all cat lovers.
I thought it was clear that my thoughts are with what can be controlled hence the question regarding a deterrent in the first place, not to introduce a law. And who even mentioned a ban?
I won't be moving just to create a cat free utopia, and I don't get the car analogy at all.
To avoid any mis-understanding I am not anti cat, I do not want to ban them and I do not want to harm them.
I do want to deter them from cr#pping on my drive though. And I do think owners should be more responsible.
Thanks for the constructive tips. The sonic deterrent linked earlier should be on its way.
Peace to all cat lovers.
Balmoral said:
Thread resurrection! Balmoral, how are these working for you, still deterring cats? I’d like to get some but don’t really trust the reviews on Amazon, some real life feedback would be much appreciated. Also anyone who has used ultrasonic deterrents I’d be grateful to hear your experiences.
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