Cats

Cats   Cats are wonderful companions inside the house. But outdoors? As a gardening enthusiast, not so much! Given cats are carnivores, you would expect your precious plants to be safe from them. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Cats do not eat plants; however, they can transform your cherished green space into a demolished battlefield by trampling and digging the plants. They have a natural tendency to scratch anything that comes in its way, including plants, trees, and soil. From burying their excrement in the soil to peeing all over the plants, you cannot ignore the destruction caused by cats. If your garden is frequently inhabited by these feline creatures, there will be a distinct smell in the air. By smelling the area around the plants, you can easily detect if the damage has been done by the sneaky neighborhood cats. They also pose a serious threat to your health; considering, they are a source of multiple diseases; such as, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, and salmonellosis. Thus, you need to be extra careful if you grow crops in your garden for your kitchen.   Let’s take a look at what attracts cats to your garden so you can take effective measures to keep them away. What attracts them to the garden? Unlike most critters, cats are not attracted by the vegetation in the gardens. In fact, it is the hunting opportunities, fresh soil, water sources, and sun-soaked spots that catch their eyes. Read on to learn in detail how these factors influence these frisky animals. Bare soil Cats are drawn to bare soil, especially loose, dry soil that can be dug up by their small paws. From flower beds to secluded corners with freshly turned soil, every nook appears as a litter box to them. Given their natural instincts, their primary intention is to dig and scratch the soil. However, your poor plants are usually sacrificed in the process. Food and water sources Even though cats do not feed on plants, your garden can attract them due to a variety of potential food sources. This includes insects, birds, butterflies, and other wild critters looming around in your yard. That’s not all! Even your uncovered trash can provides them a complete meal, inviting them to your garden repeatedly. Birdbaths and fountains solve the water problem. All in all, even if you are not feeding the cats intentionally, gardens are still an ideal source of food and water for them. Cozy shelter Cats love lazing around in sunny locations. Hence, your backyard works conveniently as a cozy shelter with dense plantations, dark spaces, and wooden sheds to rest and hide from predators. They are observant creatures, which is why they spend hours sitting at one spot and observing their surroundings. How to deter them away? If you are frustrated of finding months of hard work go to waste due to these cats, we have got you! Here are some foolproof tips to keep these animals away from your garden. Don’t worry! None of these methods promote inhumane ways, so you can employ these strategies without any worries. Natural deterrents to keep them away: Cat-repellent plant species There are several plant species that repel cats due to their strong scent, or rough texture. This includes citrus fruits, scaredy cat plants, rosemary, lavender, geraniums, and rue. Keep in mind, some of these cat repellent plants may be toxic to humans, so always stay vigilant outside if you are planning on growing these species to deter the cats. Cover your plants Cats are extremely flexible, hence no amount of fencing can stop these creatures from entering your yard. The only way forward is to cover each plant individually using netting or chicken wire, especially the young seedlings. Cover your seed trays with propagator lids, and if possible grow them indoors for the initial few weeks. You can try building a fence around your garden and covering the top with mesh wire, but the results are not guaranteed. Olfactory repellants Spraying repellants with a strong, pungent odor is a great way to keep the cats away. They have a particularly strong sense of smell and can detect scents from far away. Cats are known to leave their scent markers by peeing, rubbing, and scratching, which attracts other cats to your yard. By spraying repellants with an even stronger smell, you are basically masking the scent markers left behind by cats. Scattering peels of citrus fruits as well as leftover coffee grounds around your plants works great in deterring these pesky animals. You can also mix lavender oil, chili oil, and dish washing liquid in apple cider vinegar and spray it on your plants. The dishwashing liquid helps the scents stay on the plants for longer. Premise of other deterrents Motion activated sprinklers and sound devices Cats are easily startled by sudden movements and sounds. Hence, investing in a motion activated sprinkler or an ultrasonic device is an excellent decision. Motion activated sprinklers spray water whenever they detect any movement in your gardens. Since cats hate water, this device works really well in keeping them away. Ultrasonic devices emit a high frequency sound that is not audible to humans and can only be detected by cats and some other critters. Place this device outdoors near your plants, so cats can not even come near your garden. Scare them away Keeping dogs as pets, or even statues of predatory animals like dogs, owls, wolves, and foxes can scare the cats away. It is even better if the statues can rock and make noises, since cats are terrified of sudden noises and movements. Cover the soil The core attraction for cats in your yards is the soil which they love digging up. By covering the soil, you can make your garden unappealing for the cats. The most convenient way is to grow wild plants that do not require much care in all the empty spots. Keeping the soil damp by watering it frequently also works, since cats only dig loose soil. You can also apply heavy mulch, such as cedar and stones, or cover the soil with chicken wire. Make sure you choose a wire that allows your plants to grow through the wire holes. By minimizing the amount of loose soil, you can effectively discourage the cats from coming to your garden.