Cats

(Felis catus)

Although regarded by their owners as cute and cuddly, garden owners see cats as a total nuisance. They dig up young plants and seedlings when doing their “business”.

1. Squashed young plants and seedlings
2. Dug over and disturbed soil – especially dry soil and seedbeds
3. Scent-marked plants

Cats are very popular pets, much loved by their owners, but usually despised by non-cat-owning gardeners. Although stray and wild, feral cats are usually disliked by everyone.

They roam freely through gardens, using areas of bare soil, especially dry soil, as their toilets.

They stalk, kill and eat birds and small mammals.

• Beds and borders
• Young and low-growing plants
• Trees

Cats scrape holes in flower and vegetable beds, to use as their toilets, and then bury their excrement. Sometimes they deposit their excrement on lawns or paths. They often disturb young plants and even seeds and seedlings when carrying out this hole digging.

They sometimes sunbathe on top of low-lying plants, crushing them in the process.

Tomcats scent-mark their territories by spraying urine. If this is sprayed onto plants it can scorch the foliage.

Cats can cause damage to the bark of trees and shrubs, when they scratch them to sharpen their claws or mark their territories.

In some circumstances, you may simply have to tolerate cats visiting the garden.

As cats mainly scrape their holes in areas of bare soil, make sure soil is covered with ground cover plants. And as they dislike wet soil, preferring loose, dry soil, water regularly used areas – and especially seedbeds.

Covering bare soil with thorny prunings may also deter them from scratching and digging.

Stout plastic or metal netting may be effective at keeping cats away from small areas within the garden.

Ultrasonic scaring devices that have an infrared detector and the ultrasound is tuned to the cats’ hearing range, are usually very effective.

Motion-activated water sprayers, which are connected to a hosepipe, may also be effective. They send out a burst of water accompanied by a hissing noise when activated by an animal walking past.

Plectranthus ornatus (Coleus canina), sometimes sold under the names of ‘Scaredy Cat’, is sometimes effective at deterring cats. It produces an unpleasant smell when touched. It is a half-hardy perennial and needs frost protection in autumn and winter.

Scented and smelly animal repellents may discourage cats, but need very regular applications. If they do work, they generally only provide short-term protection, as the cats often get used to them. Any cat excrement already present has to be removed before you apply them.

Most fences are unlikely to provide an effective deterrent to cats, as they are very agile and can climb or jump over them.

Always clear away any food from the garden or anything else that could attract them.

• Cat deterrents