Paper Roses
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Wed May-05-10 05:19 AM
Original message |
Any advice? Cats in neighborhood using un-planted area as litter box. |
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I am taking care of a spot between my house and a neighbors. Actually, it is hers but she never cares for this area because it is hidden. I see it all the time and recently volunteered to clean up the area and plant some flowers.
I thinned out the wild growing Day lilies, split and replanted some Iris and just yesterday bought a bunch of flats to plant forward from the lilies to a brick border. The area is only about 2 feet wide by about 25 feet long.
When I did the plantings yesterday, I had to get out the dogie bags and clean up the piles of 'Cat poo'first. Maybe it is a raccoon or skunk. I don't know but in the process of covering their business, they pull up the plants.
Any suggestions as to what I might spread in the area to keep these critters away?
I tried moth balls but that did nothing. I have not looked this AM, hope everything is still in the ground.
THanks for any suggestions.
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japple
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Wed May-05-10 08:29 AM
Response to Original message |
1. Orange, lemon, grapefruit skins. Cats and other critters don't like |
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citrus. Maybe orange oil will work, too. I also read/heard that cats don't like banana peel either. I'd try that first. Putting up a temporary wire fence might work until the plants are large enough to hold their own. Good luck.
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Viva_La_Revolution
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Wed May-05-10 01:46 PM
Response to Original message |
2. I seem to have found something that works... and it's free |
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I was having trouble w/ cats and squirrels digging in the beds. I tried chicken wire laid flat on the ground, that worked, but you can't weed under it and I don't have that much of the stuff laying around anyway. What I do have lots of is twigs..
I grab a bunch of twigs, break them into 6 or so inch pieces and stick them in the ground in the bare areas, about 4-5 inches apart.
I haven't had any more trouble. :)
Anything that makes it uncomfortable for the cats to walk on will work. since you have such a long bare spot, try laying the branches on the ground long-wise so they don't leave any large bare spots that look like a comfy spot to squat.
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Paper Roses
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Thu May-06-10 06:39 AM
Response to Reply #2 |
5. Thanks for the good advice. This AM, I spread a ton of wood |
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shishka-bob sticks all over the area, leaving about 6 inches between sticks. There is really no place left that is wide enough for an animal to dig-and-go. By tomorrow AM, I should be able to tell if this worked. I think I may scrounge around for more sticks to make the area even less accessible.
I love cats but not in the garden. I'll let you all know how it works as soon as I find out.
Free works for me too.
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beac
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Wed May-05-10 05:25 PM
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3. Viva's twig idea is a good one. |
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I've done something similar with used takeout chopsticks. I save them all year and use them to mark plantings as well as keep curious felines out of planters.
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Zoigal
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Wed May-05-10 10:54 PM
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4. Cats don't like vinegar. Maybe mix with water and spray around the plants??? But don't |
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Or set out some in small containers in the area? Good luck. Let us know if you find something that works.....z
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badgerpup
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Thu May-06-10 02:56 PM
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6. Think I've read that putting down a piece chicken wire... |
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...think the stuff they use for bunny hutches- about an inch or two below the actual surface discourages cats.
They don't like catching their claws on that and will take their...er...business elsewhere. Good luck! :hug:
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GoCubsGo
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Thu May-06-10 03:03 PM
Response to Reply #6 |
7. Chicken wired does help. |
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Only, my problem is squirrels, not cats. They dig the heck out of everything. I have also seen robins digging around in planters that I was trying to get established.
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Pryderi
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Fri May-07-10 08:48 PM
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8. Make a smaller version of the "chicken dome" |
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