Neighbourhood cats can be annoying to deal with if they keep coming into your garden (Image: Getty)
Cats are adorable but can be little menaces as they are known to dig up your and poop on newly planted . No one wants neighbourhood using their as a litterbox but anyone with editable crops need to deter them as their feces will contaminate the soil which can be transferred to fruits and vegetables.
However Harry Bodell, an expert from , has shared a simple way to stop cats ruining plants — and all you need is to place lots of pebbles around your garden. He said: “Cats like to use freshly turned, dry soil as a toilet. Anything that you place on the surface of the soil that prevents them from digging will help to deter them. Not only do pebbles make it difficult for cats to poop in your flower bed, but they also help the soil to retain moisture which is beneficial to your plants.”
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Cats will dig up plants and can contaminate garden soil (Image: Getty)
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It may seem bizarre, but cats are sensitive to their environment and the hard edges or pebbles are extremely uncomfortable for them to walk on.
The rough texture will feel horrible on their paws so they are less likely to dig or use the toilet in places with lots of pebbles.
Cats like their routines and tend to use the same place to defecate but covering their regular spot with pebbles can make it more difficult for them to recognise the area so they will have to find another place.
All you need to do is place pebbles around plants or along borders and it should discourage cars from coming into your garden.
However, cats are intelligent animals and it tends to be best to try many deterrents at once to make sure they stop coming into your garden for good.
Pebbles are a simple yet effective way to stop cats going near your plants (Image: Getty)
If you tend to use a lot of eggs then make sure to save the shells as you can also use crushed up eggshells as a natural repellant as cats will also hate walking on them.
What is fantastic about using eggshells is that they are also known to stop slugs chewing on your plants and will break down in the soil over time so will be a natural feed for your garden.
Harry said: “The soft pads of cats’ paws are quite sensitive, and they dislike rough, sharp, and uncomfortable surfaces. Sprinkling broken eggshells on your flower beds can help stop cats from using them as a toilet, as they won’t like walking or digging on the shells. The calcium in the eggshells is also good for your soil.”
Sprinkling eggshells in garden soil can also help deter cats, who don’t like walking on them (Image: Getty)
Now that spring has arrived you may be thinking about buying some garden seeds but make sure to consider planting some highly fragrant plants as cats will not be able to stand them.
Cats have a very sensitive sense of smell so any flowers or herbs that have a strong scent can overwhelm and irritate their noses which will keep them out of your garden.
Harry said: “There are many flowers that you can plant in your garden that will help to repel cats. This includes the scaredy cat plant or Coleus Canina, which has a strong smell of urine and will put cats off as they are very territorial.”
“Other plants that cats dislike include geraniums, lavender, lemon balm, curry plant, rosemary, quince, shrub roses and pyracantha. Cats avoid these plants either because of their scent or, as in the case of roses, because of the thorns.”
These are just a few humane yet effective methods to try out that can help stop cats terrorising your plants and help keep your garden clean now that spring has arrived.