Cats are often a nuisance in gardens, ravaging plants and creating a health hazard with their droppings, which is a common problem for those with outdoor spaces. Although it’s supremely aggravating to contend with intrusive felines, being aware of the legal aspects is vital before utilising any cat repellents.
As per UK legislation, cats have the liberty to wander freely, including into your neighbour’s garden. Additionally, felines fall under the protection of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, implying that harming a cat with any kind of deterrent, DIY or store-bought, could lead to serious penalties or even jail time.
Yet gardeners aren’t bereft of hope. There’s buzzing chatter of a harmless deterrent that “won’t harm them at all” but will effectively encourage cats to vacate.
According to the Express, Steve Mclane has been plagued by his neighbour’s cats using his green patch as a toilet. He sought out suggestions from the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group, asking: “Can anyone recommend a humane way of stopping neighbours cats using my garden as their toilet? Thanks.”
Citrus peels, especially orange, came highly recommended by the group as an effective repellant. Julie Crawey shared her technique: “I seem to have some new resident cats in my garden this year. Remove the cat poo and put orange peils around. They seem to hate it.”
Mary Vale echoed these thoughts, confirming: “Citrus peel scattered around worked for me. They smell it and scurry away.”
Nona Maffei revealed her zesty secret to other gardening enthusiasts, saying: “Citrus fruit peel. I remember I bought a big box of oranges at Christmas time and had them stored in the utility area, and our cat whose food bowl and water were in there, wouldn’t go near it.
“It took us a while to work out why and it was the smell of oranges so I know 100 percent that it works. They fear the stuff.”
Echoing the sentiment, Lucy Prime added her own advice: “Orange peel. Cats hate citrus and will run away from it.”
Some savvy gardeners highlighted the option of using water as a deterrent, with participants recommending gadgets such as jet sprays.
Amazon shopper Mary Turner wrote about her favourable outcome with such a device, endorsing the PestBye Jet Spray Battery Operated Motion Activated Cat Scarer and Repellent for £28.98: “Get this from Amazon. I haven’t seen a cat in my garden since just after getting one of these. My neighbour has two cats and they suggested this.”
Gerald Henderson also endorsed the efficacy of such measures but pointed to an alternative marketplace: “Get this off eBay. Stops them pooing without hurting them.”