15 Natural Ways to Keep Cats Out of Garden

If you live in a community with many neighborhood cats, you may have observed a few of them in your garden.

Not all pet owners are responsible, which may lead to stray cats strolling around your yard.

Consequently, understanding how to keep them away is crucial. There are several home remedies for keeping cats out of flower beds and vegetable gardens.

Here’s how to get rid of cats naturally:

1. Remove Food Source

One of the best ways to address the problem is to eliminate the food supply of stray or feral cats.

Garbage cans should not overflow. Furthermore, their lids should fit snugly to prevent spills.

You don’t want to invite these animals into your home by leaving food leftovers in the open. Maintaining a cat-free environment is difficult since these animals can survive on very little.

Refrain from feeding them as well.

2. Chicken Wire

Lay the chicken wire on top of the soil before planting and cover it with more soil or mulch. The rough texture of the wire will likely keep the cats away.

Another method is to make a fence out of chicken wire and surround your garden beds. An effective barrier does not need to be particularly high.

Cats often need an incentive to climb fences, but this isn’t the case for most cats.

3. Motion-Activated Sprinklers

Install a sprinkler system that detects movement. When a cat attempts to enter your garden, the motion-activated sprinkler will squirt the cats with water, scaring them away.

You’ll also water your plants with these sprinklers as a side benefit.

4. Citrus Peels

Some people find that their cats hate the scent of citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, and oranges. Therefore, toss some citrus peels into your garden and see if it works.

Cats will likely steer clear of your garden if enough citrus peels are tossed around.

5. Repellent Plants

Some plants emit a scent that cats find repulsive.

The Scaredy Cat Plant (Coleus Canina) is a good choice if you’re looking for an effective cat-repellent plant. It repels cats outside and also helps keep dogs away [1].

Other plants that repel cats are lavender, lemongrass, oregano, rosemary, and geraniums. Plant these around your garden.

6. Urine of Predatory Animals

Keep cats at bay by sprinkling the perimeter of your property with products containing the urine of coyotes or foxes. Cats fear these predators and will think they are in the area.

You can buy these products online. However, this may not be the best method to deter cats in your yard.

You may have to reapply the urine frequently for it to be effective.

7. Clean Up

Wash away cat urine that is used to mark its territory.

Additionally, declutter to eliminate any hiding spots for mice. Sweep away food waste and secure garbage cans.

8. Get a Dog

Another surefire way to keep stray cats off your property is to have a dog. Most dogs are ready to greet passing feline guests with an eager bark.

9. Ultrasonic Devices

Ultrasonic devices emit a high-frequency sound that helps keep unwanted cats away. These devices are often used with motion sensors [2].

This sound is undetectable to most humans but very irritating to cats.

10. Cat-Proof Fencing

Install a cat-proof fence to help keep cats out of your yard. However, ensure the fence’s sloping top faces out instead of in.

Vinyl is a good material, as cats will find it difficult to get a good grip on it if they try to climb over it.

11. Prickly Surfaces

Cats try to avoid prickly surfaces at all costs. These animals prefer to tread on soft soil.

Therefore, add pine cones, eggshells, twigs, or other prickly yard trimmings to your garden.

You can also make garden stakes out of chopsticks. Put them close together, and the cat will have difficulty getting through the tight space between them.

You can lay bird netting or chicken wire (discussed above) on your soil and cover it.

12. Wind Chimes and Motion-Sensitive Bells

A simple rock or pebble in a jar that rattles when the cat approaches would work, as might wind chimes and motion-sensitive bells.

The clattering sound of these devices will likely frighten the animals, keeping them away.

13. Essential Oils

Another home remedy to get rid of cats is to use certain essential oils in your garden. Again, this relates to cats’ particular aversion to certain scents.

Essential oils are fantastic because they are widely available and only take a few drops to be effective.

Oils such as lavender, orange, peppermint, lemongrass, grapefruit, citronella, or lime can deter cats.

Make a homemade cat repellent for the garden and yard by mixing three parts water with one part essential oil. Next, add the mixture to a spray container and shake it well.

Finally, spray your whole yard and around the garden. Pay particular attention to any spots where cats like to hang out.

14. Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds are double-duty as fertilizer and a cat deterrent. They help keep cats off your lawn.

Cats are repulsed by the scent of coffee grounds, which also work well as lawn fertilizer.

To stop your cat from pooping in your flower beds or vegetable garden, scatter some coffee grounds around your plants.

Collect used coffee grounds from your neighbor or store the ones you use daily. Use this to cover the area you want to protect.

Moreover, this solution is even more effective when combined with cayenne pepper.

15. Ripe Bananas

Ripening bananas have a pungent odor that cats despise. Therefore, chop some ripe bananas and scatter them over your garden beds.

Takeaway

You don’t have to harm stray cats to keep them out of your yard, as there are many humane, natural solutions to the problem. Consider one or more of the natural remedies we’ve highlighted.