[almic]

Hello,

I am a previous cat owner, he died about a year ago, and my neighbours got two cats about 4 months ago and most recently since we came back from an overseas holiday we found that her cats are using our front and back yard as a play pen and a toilet to boot! They must have started doing this while we were away. They dig up my seedlings and dig holes around the veggie beds and I have noticed in a few places that they have used it as a toilet as well. Has anyone got any ideas as to how to keep the cats away from my garden?

I have tried shooing them away but they just crouch and stare at me, and then I clapped my hands very loudly and that had them running away. That works only when I'm out in the garden and see them there but otherwise I don't know they're there untill I notice new holes. I'd like a more permanent solution than having to stand guard in the corner and wait for them to come inorder to frighten them away. I could tell my neighbour but there isn't much she can do since they're not indoor cats. Any ideas?

I have tried leaving orange and lemon peel in the places they seem to like best as a potential deterrant since I know they don't like citrus, but that hasn't worked.

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[CatsRU]

This is an ongoing problem. Whereabouts do you live? People are responsible for keeping their cats from going onto other people's property or rather you can trap a cat on your property. But you must take the cat to the Council pound and the owner will have to pay a fee for the return of their cat.

There are all sorts of deterrants but they are expensive and I thoroughly object to paying a lot of money on preventing cats from entering my property when their owners do not take any responsibility. Phone your council and see what legislation is in place.

[harletame]

I have no solutions sorry!

I can't understand how owners can allow their pets to wander the neighbourhood unsupervised!!
Very dangerous!

[almic]

Yeah, I agree. I never let my cat wander around all day like that when I had him. But people think differently. I don't want to trap my neighbours cat as I'm trying to maintain a friendly relationship there because we share a driveway (3 unit houses sharing one main driveway branching off into individual garages and front yards).

I guess if nothing but the loud clapping works I'll try that for a while but if it doesn't stop it I'll have to talk to her. I am actually looking to adopt a dog so I may have a solution in that!

[oriental cats]

I have no solutions sorry!

I can't understand how owners can allow their pets to wander the neighbourhood unsupervised!!
Very dangerous!

I agree, OMG my 4 would be a nightmare on elm street if aloowed to roam!!!!!!!
I had a similar problem with neighbours cats but I got a dog and no more cats, could you borrow a dog? my dog thinks she is a cat but the other cats don't know that sshhh!

[almic]

Hahaha! I had a cat who thought he was a dog!

I could borrow my friends dog, but hes not very well bahaved to be let into the house or the yard cause hed probably make a worse mess of it than the cats. And I don't want to rush adopting one. I'll just have to be patient untill I find the right dog to adopt and then he or she will make their territory known to the cats.

[Poppi]

I had a problem with a stray cat coming on my balcony and upsetting my cat. I bought a product called scram! and sprinkled it on the balcony. No more problems. My cat is an indoor cat, she isn't allowed out on the balcony.

[fleabag]

Put a sprinkler in your garden ..and when you see the cats turn it on full bore ...if you get caught by your neighbour just say you are sorry but the garden DID need watering ...grin ..

[Annie99]

spray them with the hose.

Also I think that you can get a sensor sprinkler system. Not sure how much but like lights they detect movement and go on once activated (unless I just dreamt that)

Or you could be a complete psycho like my neighbour and come on to property drunk, threaten to kill cats and pace up and down every time he saw a cat (but I can tell you are not like that!!!! : - )

[burmeselover]

Here is a link to a motion detector sprinkler that will start to sprinkle water if it detects motion nearby e.g. a visiting cat: Scarecrow

[Annie99]

Thanks Burmeselover.

That is what I had in mind.

I am a burmeselover as well!

[Trifon]

I sympathise as I am having the same issue with neighbouring cats in my new home. They target the garden bed near my front door and boy does it stink. I have invested in "get Off my Garden - dog and cat repellent" from Bunnings and I am hoping that does the job.

I do feel for the cats though, as 3 of the cats that use my garden bed were left behind when the person who lived in my house moved out months earlier (all 3 have been adopted by neighbours).