Learn how to keep cats out of your garden so that you'll soon be enjoying time in your green, verdant oasis again! It's a real disappointment to put time and effort into growing a thriving garden only to discover that a cat took their love of digging too far, and now, you're left with a garden of uprooted and partially-devoured plants.
Use the simple, humane tips we offer here to keep your pet cats or the neighborhood one out of your garden.
There are a handful of plants that cats dislike. Among them are rue, scaredy cat plant, lavender, marigolds, pennyroyal, and lemon thyme. Each of these plants have a scent that cats just can't stand. Strategically place these plants in and around your garden to keep cats away.
Like the plants above give off a fragrance that cats can't stand, you can also create a fragrance that will keep cats away. Using a spray is especially helpful if you have a small garden and don't want to use space for plants like scaredy cat plant or rue.
From the Suzuki Foundation, here's a recipe for a stinky spray to keep cats away. They call it "cat-away" spray.
Place all ingredients in an 8 oz. spray bottle. Fill the bottle to the top with water. Then, spray around your garden.
Another option is to provide cats access to plants they love, like catnip. Rather than planting catnip in your own garden, create a "cat garden" in a spot as far away from your garden as possible. Provide them with an area of soft soil or sand of their own for digging and taking care of business, plus throw in a few mint plants of their own, and they'll be in kitty paradise. Remember to keep this "cat garden" clean so the cats don't return to your garden for a clean place to dig.
Cats dislike walking on uneven, spiky surfaces, which we understand. Just think about what it feels like to walk on gravel without shoes or socks on — it's uncomfortable! This is essentially what you want to create in your garden. You want to make your garden's surface uncomfortable for kitty paws.
Try some different materials here, like marble rock chips, pine cones, large chunks of bark, partially-buried chicken wire, layers of sticks, and anything else you think might work. Keep in mind that you don't want to put anything down that could cause injury. The point is discomfort, not injury.
We're here for you. The Nite Guard team is made up of animal deterrent experts and we'd be happy to help you figure out how to keep cats out of your garden. We can help you use Nite Guard Repellent Tape and Nite Guard Solar lights to deter cats, too.
Contact us with your questions and for our expert advice. Call 1-800-328-6647.