Unfortunately, one of the problems which occur when you have a garden to maintain is protecting it against pests. Believe it or not, cats cause a lot of problems for gardeners. There are many cat deterrents, but do cat repellents really work?
Yes, cat repellents do really work. Not all cat repellants will work, but most of them do show promising results. It does differ between each individual cat though.
When people start to use any methods for repelling cats, they can become disheartened if they do not see results. Therefore, there are a lot of speculations regarding cat repellants.
However, it is important to remember that not one repellent will work. This is trial and error, and you need to try different methods before you find one which works best for you.
What is the Best Cat Repellent?
There are many ways to go about repelling cats from your garden. There are several commercial options. On the other hand, many people like to use home remedies against cats.
But, when it comes to home remedies, you cannot really decide which one is the best cat repellent. There are many options available that work for different people (against different cats). Ultimately, it’s a trial and error scenario.
Many people have talked about creating their own cat repellent spray. When using a cat repellent, it is important to play on scent. Sprinkling pepper in the garden or using it in sprays helps keep cats away.
Other people like to create air fresheners with essential oils to let the scent travel. As a result, any nearby cats will smell the scent and know to stay away.
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What Are Some Effective Cat Repellants?
It would be best to be cautious when it comes to cats as you do not want to use any methods that could harm them. There are a few cat repellents that work against cats, and you can use them to deal with the ones who enter your garden, safely:
Commercially- Available Repellents
Sometimes you simply do not have the time to create your own spray. If you do not wish to do so, you can always opt for commercially available cat repellents. There is a wide variety of cat repellents available from which you can choose from.
Some of these repellents are plant-based and will not negatively impact your plants.
Ultra-Sonic Cat Repellent
Some people are more technologically inclined than others. If you are one of those people, you will find joy in using ultra-sonic cat repellants. This technology works to keep cats away by making a sound that cats do not like.
In addition, this cat repellent is battery operated, so you do not have to worry about access to electricity or connecting it to an outlet. There are different settings on the machine, such as movement detectors so it can detect cats without draining the batteries.
Do Cat Scarers Work?
Unfortunately, scientists have suggested that there is no evidence to show that ultrasonic repellers work. They do work against some cats, others will ignore them. It’s a case of trying and seeing if they work with your neighbour’s cat.
Home Remedies
For people who prefer to keep it natural and simple, there are a few home remedies you can use to keep cats away. But you need to understand it is about finding the right method to deal with the particular problem cat.
You will have to test different remedies before finding the one that works best for you. In addition, some home remedies may work to deter certain cats while some do not.
Whatever method you use, it is important to keep it in line with the cat’s sense of smell. Cats are sensitive to many smells, which they find are too strong and detecting.
Some scents that cats do not like are spices, citrus, mint, and essential oil. You can use these scents whichever way you like, either by creating a spray or sprinkling these ingredients in your garden.
Do Cat Repellent Sprays Work?
Yes, sprays do work to repel cats providing that they are loaded with scents that cats hate. If you can use strong herbs and spices, cats will be repelled by a spray.
Water Sprinklers
Everyone knows cats hate water, so what best way is there other than water sprinkles to keep them out? You can add these sprinklers to your garden, and the cat will sprint.
Again, if you are more inclined towards technology, you can get water sprinklers that work when they detect movement. If there is a cat in your garden, the sprinklers will turn on, causing the cat to run from the site.
Do Cat Repellents Always Work?
Unfortunately, no repellent is going to be 100% effective. One of the reasons is that every cat is unique. A repellent that works against one cat may not do so against another.
Some cats are resilient, and no repellent can be strong enough against them. Cat repellents work widely by affecting the cat’s behaviour. There are some cats that get easily irritated, while others may not.
Some may hate one scent or not be bothered by another. Therefore, it is all about testing, trying, and discovering the most effective method.
Summary
Other than insects and small pests, gardeners also have to deal with larger pests. It becomes important to keep cats out because they can poop all over vegetable beds.
Some cat repellents can work well, while others may not show promising results. Many people have tried using cat repellents but become disheartened when they do not receive good results.
There are various repellents you can use against cats. For instance, you can use commercially available repellents, ultrasonic outdoor repellents, water sprinklers and some home remedies.
Ryan is a keen gardener from the UK who’s spent years dealing with countless, common pests over the years so knows the ins and outs of how to deal with pests in the garden
