Do you love the presence of these little felines in your garden? It’s charming isn’t it? However, we also know that their presence can sometimes be a problem, especially if you have a well-maintained vegetable garden. Cats, whether domestic or stray, tend to dig in the dirt, scratch plants and leave urine markings, which can be detrimental to your green space. Fortunately, there are effective ways to keep cats out of your yard without harming them. We’ll show you how to do it.
Use natural cat repellents
Natural repellents are a great solution to keeping cats away from your garden. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but they are also safe for animals and humans.
THE essential oils, for example, have a very effective repellent effect on cats. These are very sensitive to odors. Certain oils such as lemongrass, eucalyptus or even lavender are particularly off-putting for our feline friends. You can dilute them in water and spray them around your garden.
THE White vinegar is also very effective in repelling cats. Its smell is very unpleasant for these animals. Simply spray it in areas where cats tend to go. However, be careful not to put it directly on your plants, as the vinegar can burn them.
Grow repellent plants
Certain plants have the particularity of naturally repelling cats. Their smell or texture can deter cats from approaching your vegetable garden.
There pharmacy street, for example, is a plant known for its repellent effect on cats. Its strong and unpleasant odor for these animals encourages them to divert their path. There lavender and the geranium are also preferred plants, their particular smell not being appreciated by our feline friends.
Certain aromatic herbs such as rosemary or the pepper mint can also scare away cats. Their powerful scent is indeed unpleasant for these animals.
Adopt homemade solutions to keep cats away
In addition to natural repellents and plants, there are also homemade tips to scare cats away from your garden.
THE pepper is an effective repellent. Sprinkle it around your garden, cats hate the smell and will avoid coming near it. You can also use citrus peels or some coffee grounds, whose odor is also repellent to cats.
Another tip is to use Bottles of water. Fill them halfway and line them up in your garden. Cats don’t like the reflection of light on the water, it scares them and dissuades them from approaching.
Learn to live with cats
Despite all these tips, it is important to remember that cats are animals that also have their place in our environment. They play an important role in the ecosystem by regulating the population of certain pests such as rodents.
Learning to live with cats can be a solution. Be patient and observe their behavior, identify areas of your garden that they prefer. You can then install specific repellents in these areas while giving them a space where they can feel comfortable.
Keep cats away from your garden does not mean not harm them. By using natural repellents, by cultivating repellent plants or in adopting of the home solutions, you can protect your garden while respecting these animals. Don’t forget that cats also have their role to play in our environment. Learning to live with them can be beneficial for everyone. So, protect your garden, but do it gently and with respect for our feline friends.
*Updated 20 July 2024