The velvet paws can be helpful in the garden when hunting for mice. Their excretions, such as cat urine, are problematic. This is manifested by a pungent smell because, compared to feces, cats don't dig holes to close them. The smell of urine can be masked using simple means and home remedies to repel cats can keep the animals away from sensitive areas.
Cats in Gardens
In principle, there is no legal basis for banning cats from gardens. Compared to dogs, they are allowed to follow their nature and roam freely in the neighboring gardens. Not every garden owner particularly enjoys the animals and especially not their remains. Every garden owner must take action to ensure that the animals stay away from the garden.
Keep cats away completely
Cats are mainly active at dusk or at night. Even chasing the animals away is usually impossible, which is why technical aids have to be used. There are a number of devices commercially available, such as fence structures, that make it impossible for animals to climb over them. Cats can also be kept away with electric fences for small animals.
Note:
The defense methods must be proportional to the area. Above all, the animals must not be harmed, otherwise legal consequences may result.
Ultrasound devices only have a limited effect. Although these have an effect at first, many animals, including voles, seem to quickly get used to the noise. Devices that change their frequency within a range, which emits different sounds, are more efficient here.
Tip:
If you build a new fence, make sure to make it safe from cats. Very high and smooth surfaces give the animals no chance.
Cat repellents
As a rule, cats can also be controlled if they are repeatedly disturbed. Cats are inherently very calm animals that have fixed habits. If these habits are repeatedly disturbed, they will look for new places where they feel comfortable.
If a cat has chosen your garden area as its new territory, the first step you should take is to get a water gun. The cats don't like water at all and they disappear quickly. A few targeted sprays on the animal will do no harm to it and will make your garden an unpopular place.
The following remedies are suitable for keeping cats out of vegetable beds:
- Mulch
- branches and twigs
- thornbushes
Mulching in particular is beneficial in two ways, as the soil is immediately supplied with nutrients. If branches are also covered with thorns like those from pruning roses, they will also not find suitable places to lie down or do their business.
Removing cat urine
If a cat has managed to urinate and perhaps urinates in a place such as the terrace, the urine should be removed quickly. Cats can transmit various diseases to humans. Cat excretions pose an additional danger, especially for pregnant women, because they can transmit so-called toxoplasmosis.
To remove urine, follow these steps:
- Put on rubber gloves
- Deep clean the area with warm water
- Apply a suitable household cleaner
- Allow the cleaner to work if necessary
- Wash the cleaner off again
- finally wipe it again with warm water
Often this process may have to be repeated several times. It is important that the cleaning aids used such as gloves, buckets or cleaning cloths are disinfected afterwards, because continued use can not only spread pathogens, but the smell may also be transferred to other places.
The smell of urine is the main problem. Even very aggressive cleaners cannot completely cover up the smell of urine. It does disappear over time, but this can take weeks. In addition, the smell of urine marks an interesting place for cats, where they might go to urinate again.
Remedies for urine smell
So that the smell of urine does not attract cats again, it should be masked by smells that, in the best case scenario, are unpleasant even for the cat's nose.
This includes:
- Citrus scents
- Coffee grounds
- Cornstarch
- Baking powder
- Mouthwash
Corn starch and baking powder do not have an intense smell of their own, but they can bind odors very well. The products are simply applied to the affected area. As a rule, however, they have to be removed or replaced after several days. Corn starch or baking powder in particular must be replaced after a few days because they only absorb limited odors.
Cat-friendly corners
Fighting unwanted cats in gardens can sometimes be a challenge for owners. Peaceful coexistence is often the only solution. Cat-friendly corners in distant corners of the garden are ideal for this purpose. Such places can be made attractive for the animals, for example, with small treats. Places such as fine, crumbly or dry soil, such as those found in vegetable beds, are particularly ideal for them. Not only do they like to lie there in the sun, they are also used as a litter box.
