Your cat tends to hover around the crops in your vegetable garden or flower beds. Gardening lover, your gardener’s heart despairs in the face of the destruction carried out by your feline. He scratches your tomatoes, devours your salads, plays with the zucchini… What a disaster! Of course, we must keep in mind that this is in no way intended to harm you and therefore does not deserve punishment. However, there are tips to control this instinctive behavior. Here are 8 tips to keep your cat (or the neighbor’s cat) away from your crops!
Good to know : be careful, essential oils, whether lemon, eucalyptus or lavender, are toxic to cats. Likewise, never use environmentally or animal repellents such as bleach.
1. White vinegar
It is known that cats hate the smell of white vinegar. Here’s a simple tip to keep your friendly cat away from your most fragile plants. Soak newspaper of vinegar and protect your plants with it.
You can also simply spray it around your plants. Cat and dog will no longer use your vegetable garden as litter.
2. Chestnut bugs
In autumn, there is no shortage of chestnut bugs. Chestnut bugs are the little prickly shells that protect the fruit.
Place them all around your vegetable garden as if to delimit it. They will sting the paws of the cat who will not set foot in the vegetable garden any time soon. This technique also works with holly leaves.
3. Citrus fruits
Cats (like dogs) hate the smell of citrus. Lemons, grapefruits and even oranges, these citrus fruits act as real natural repellents. You just need to arrange citrus peels all around your plantsthis will dissuade your cat from playing too close to them or from doing its business there.
You can try the same thing with pepper. Even better, it will also scare away some rodents!
4. Lemon verbena
Once again, we will appeal to the cat’s developed sense of smell. In your garden, plant lemon verbena. Not only will you be able to use it yourself to enjoy delicious iced teas this summer, but it is also an effective solution for keeping cats away from crops.
Indeed, the pleasant smell of lemon that emanates from it does not please our feline friends. Plant some in the middle of your crops, this should scare them away.
5. Grow Herbs He Loves
What if you created a patch of land where you could cultivate your cat’s favorite herbs? So he won’t be interested in your crops. Aromatic plants, heather, grasses or catnip will do the trick.
6. Install a fence
Do neighborhood cats tend to take over your garden? If you have enough space, you can simply block access to your vegetable garden with a fence or a net. You will finally say goodbye to squatting felines.
7. Mulching
Mulching the base of your plants helps keep the soil cool and the humidity level good for your plants, but it is also an effective solution for keeping your cat away from your plants.
Mulching in coconut canvas or with slightly sharp slate should prevent your pet from doing its business around your plants or vegetables.
8. Create a space for him
Create a cocooning space for your cat by setting up a spot just for him in the garden. Place some scrapershis favorite plants, a patch of land… The only disadvantage is that stray cats could settle there.
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