If you are reading this, you have probably reached the point where a cat or cats have become pests.
They have peed and dug in your garden, or sprayed stinky urine on your porch or screen door or crawl space under the house, or are stalking your birds at the bird bath or feeders.
So what can you do?
TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBORS ABOUT THEIR CAT: They may be able to keep their cat in or leashed. Give it a try at the least.
GET A DOG: Cats will stay away from dogs. Problem solved.
USE A COMMERCIAL CAT REPELLENT:
- Liquids and powder products usually made of fox or coyote urine are available.
- Motion activated water sprayers or light or sound displays often scare the cats out of the area. These products are not usually found locally but are readily located on the internet.
MAKE YOUR OWN REPELLENT:
- A blast from a hose, or a kids pump squirt gun sends them running.
- Scarecrows? Some folk say they scare cats. We aren't so sure.
- (LOW COST TIP) Bury chicken wire just under the ground. Cats like it when it is easy to dig, and that wire stops them and moves them on.
- Remedies such as grapefruit, lemon rinds and coffee grounds are used sometimes.
- A soaked rag or two of human urine is touted by farmers as an effective tool.
- Cayenne pepper powder scattered on the area is also reported effective.
AS A LAST RESORT, LIVE TRAP THE CAT:
- Live traps for cats can be purchased here.
DO NOT shoot, gas, drown, or poison a cat. It may be illegal in your town.
Instead, take the cat to the local humane society or animal pound.