I’m a gardening expert – my 79p hack will stop cats and foxes pooing in your garden – and make sure they never return
A GARDENING expert has revealed a 79p hack to keep pesky cats and foxes from pooing in your garden this summer.
Cats and foxes can wreak havoc on your perfectly crafted gardens, by digging up soil and using the grass as a giant litter tray.
Whether your planning a bank holiday BBQ, or simply want to make the most of the remainder of the summer, making sure your garden is poo free is a must.
Thankfully Matt Jordan, gardening expert for The Greenhouse People, has shared his top tips for deterring pesky animals from using your lawn as a toilet.
As well as being incredibly annoying, Matt highlighted that animal poo can also pose dangers.
She said: “Much to the dismay of their owners, many pets will eat their own poo and other animal faeces.
“However, this is a very dangerous habit for your pet animal poo can host a variety of diseases and parasites.
“One of the deadliest for dogs is parvovirus which is highly contagious and often fatal in unvaccinated dogs.
“Not only is poo dangerous to pets, but can also harm humans. Cat stool poses a very serious threat to both humans and other cats alike and should never be left to fester in the garden.
“Toxoplasmosis is an infection which infected cats can pass on to humans through their faeces and is particularly dangerous for those who are pregnant or have weakened immune systems.”
Keep Your Garden Neat and Tidy
Matt revealed that foxes and cats love overgrown grass, as they can easily hide in it.
Therefore, it is important to keep your lawn neat and tidy, to keep the creatures away.
He said: “Foxes love overgrown areas, so keeping your garden neat and tidy is a sure and effective way to help deter foxes from doing their business in your backyard.
“Focus on keeping your grass trimmed short, cutting back any overgrown bushes or shrubbery and keeping planting schemes tightly packed to avoid attracting foxes to den in your garden overnight and encouraging cats to come and dig in your garden.”
DIY Repellent
Matt explained that cats and foxes use their acute sense of smell to remember which gardens they have been in, so that they can return at a a later date.
However, he said that if you spray white vinegar over your garden, this will get rid of any marking scents, thus preventing the creatures from returning.
Tips for keeping pests from your garden
- Plant companion plants such as peppermint to repel rats.
- Place Garden Netting Pest Barrier, over your flowerbeds.
- Fill open-top containers with beer and place in soil to repel slugs.
- Spray plants with Neem Oil, to repel ants, flies, and spiders.
- Dust your flowerbeds with Diatomaceous Earth.
- Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap, 10 drops peppermint oil, and 4 cups water and spray on flowerbeds.
- Place eggshells around your plants to protect from slugs and snails.
White vinegar is super cheap, and you can pick it up from B&M for just 79p.
Motion Sensor Deterrents
Foxes and cats like to feel safe and secure, so sudden lights and noises can scare them off.
Matt explained: “Foxes and cats are more likely to move on from gardens where they don’t feel secure, so sudden lights, noises and sensations should scare off unwanted guests and prevent your garden from becoming a public toilet.
“Motion-activated lights are not only a good investment for your home’s safety, but they also conveniently keep foxes, cats and other pests at bay without bringing animals to harm.
“Alternatively, sprinklers are a popular option for struggling gardeners. Cats infamously aren’t fans of water, so making sure your grass and flowerbeds are damp will deter them from toileting in your garden.”
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