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How to stop cats fouling in your garden: 8 simple tips

Are you looking for a simple solution to stop cats doing their business in your garden? Our feline friends are great at providing company, but it can be irritating when they use gardens as litter trays.

From water sprays to citrus scents, take a look at exactly how to stop cats pooping in the garden.

1. Odour repellent

Cats are renowned for exploring people's gardens, looking for places to leave their mark when homeowners aren't looking. One of the natural ways you can stop them from leaving deposits on your lawn is to scatter scents they don't like.

Cats are incredibly sensitive to smell so strong scents such as lavender, peppermint or cinnamon are great for keeping them away. Choose one of these scents, mix with water and spray around the garden. While this is just a short-term option, it's cost-effective and non-toxic.

2. Citrus peels

Another natural and simple solution to deter cats from your outdoor space is to finely chop citrus fruits (such as lemons, limes and oranges) and place them around the garden. Similar to lavender and peppermint, cats don't like the strong citrus scent.

You can also make your own solution by squeezing the fruits into water if you'd rather spray it around the garden.

Tim Bird - Getty Images gettyimages-610885220

3. Install a motion-activated sprinkler

This option might be more expensive than the others, but it's incredibly effective. Cats hate getting wet, so a motion-activated sprinkler which turns on every time it detects the movement and heat of an animal is great to consider if you're feeling fed up.

Every time a cat wanders into your garden the sprinkler will release a sudden burst of water, along with a startling noise, to scare them away.

primrose.co.uk Jet Spray Cat Repeller By PestBye®

4. Using sound motion detectors

Similar to how the water sprinklers work, ultrasonic cat deterrents will emit a very high frequency when they detect movement. Usually, the sounds are very off-putting to cats but can hardly be heard at all by humans. These only cover a small area of the garden, so it's best to place them at entry points.

5. Cover your garden with twigs

Cats aren't fond of prickly ground underfoot, so placing twigs or rough leaves on flower beds will help to keep them away. While it might not make your garden look pretty, it's a simple solution to keep them at bay.

Other options to consider also include placing down stone mulch, eggshells, holly cuttings or repurposed plastic carpet runners.

Holger Leue - Getty Images Cat struts along fence, Scey-sur-Saone, Scey-sur-Saone-et-Saint-Albin, Haute-Saone, Bourgogne-Franche-Comte, France

6. Bananas

Cats also don't like the smell of bananas, so another way to stop them from pooping in your garden is to finely chop bananas and scatter them around your flower beds. Ripening bananas give off a strong smell that cats simply can't stand. Want to scare them away? This could be worth a try.

7. Keep your garden clean

If your cat seems to always visit the same spot, consider giving it a hose down with soapy water. While this can throw cats off their own scent, it may simply make them move to another part of your garden.

 Alex Walker - Getty Images gettyimages-6805230048.

Use an outdoor litter tray

If all else fails, you could try placing an outdoor litter tray in your garden for them to use. Of course it's not your job to clean up the mess from your neighbour's cat, but it could be a smart way to stop them from pooping in your favourite flowers.

Reference: Country Living : Lisa Joyner