Neighbourhood CATS!!!

[cpp gardener]

Hooray for Eeilee! That’s the best way to let the cats get fresh air outside. I watched a pet home improvement show a few years ago where they built a tunnel for a cat to get into a pen in a tree. Really cool idea and the cat loved it.

 

[Eeilee]

Yes! I love the tunnel idea too. We call ours a “ catio” since they have enclosed access to the patio as well as a run area. The only drawback is the grass all dies in winter leaving mostly mud. Muddy kitty paws on freshly made bed isn’t the best lol

I might try tiny clover that doesn’t flower for inside the cat enclosure and see if that tolerates the shade and heavy rain we get here in winter.
I grow white and red clovers as green manure on my garden beds in fall/ winter but the last thing we need is a bee stung kitty vet bill haha!

 

[Oliver Buckle]

I might try tiny clover that doesn’t flower

The species that grow in the South of England and Oregon probably don't compare, but I would try a few different things that make it as weeds, the one that survives best would probably become dominant.

 

[Eeilee]

Yes or moss since it seems to be spreading in there anyway

 

[Logan]

Could get those electric cat scarers, that gives out a beam of light and sound that only cats can hear.

 

[Sean Regan]

Could get those electric cat scarers, that gives out a beam of light and sound that only cats can hear.
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What about hedgehogs?

 

[Eeilee]

Automatic sprinklers ?

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Automatic sprinklers ?

I saw a system advertised that had a motion detector trigger a high power water jet. Must admit I thought that was a bit OTT, I'm not anti cat, I just want to enjoy the garden.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

Still no clue why the complaints about cats. Love cats. I have had a total of 9 at one time, all outside type. Some did like to come inside for a bit. But in all the years with them 20 years, I had no digging issues, never ran across cat poop in any of my beds etc. And you all know my garden by now. And I feed birds, not one of them ever jumped at the feeders, I am outside a lot to notice that. As my boys did go to heaven, the neighbors complained that now they see too many rabbits and squirrels about, and the chipmunks about. And sadly I had to tell my neighbors that my 3 best hunters were in heaven. I now have one sweet lady, a 19 year old, she prefers to be outside, has her own heated house. I see her sometime with a mouse in her mouth, or find one dead on the side. But the little girl can only do so much. My neighbor has a few, two houses over, one visits us, hope she is on task as plenty of work here to do. All in all, I miss my boys. So again, no clue your issues, as I have never had any

 

[Esther Knapicius]

Squirrels dig, I have seen Squirrels did big holes and leave the holes. those I can't stand.

 

[cpp gardener]

You may not have issues with cats but many of your neighbors and all of us have. They are also MAJOR predators of birds, lizards, snakes and small mammals. They will kill even if they are well-fed. They cannot distinguish between endangered species and non-native exotic species. They are called HOUSE cats for a reason. They are not native to North America and don't belong loose. I love cats and dogs, but they both belong in fenced yards for dogs and enclosed spaces for cats. Period.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

You may not have issues with cats but many of your neighbors and all of us have. They are also MAJOR predators of birds, lizards, snakes and small mammals. They will kill even if they are well-fed. They cannot distinguish between endangered species and non-native exotic species. They are called HOUSE cats for a reason. They are not native to North America and don't belong loose. I love cats and dogs, but they both belong in fenced yards for dogs and enclosed spaces for cats. Period.

Nope, as I said, my neighbors wondered where they were, they missed my cats, they said they are over loaded with the rabbits. MY neighbors missed my cats. Not one of my neighbors in the 20 years ever complained about my cats. In fact there are a few that are feeding some strays in hopes to keep some around, and getting them fixed. So your statement "many of your neighbors and all of us have" is incorrect. and there is no such thing as "all".

 

[cpp gardener]

I was talking about the other posters. Just because your neighbors haven't said anything, doesn't mean they haven't been bothered. If you live in a neighborhood with large yards and don't have 20-30 neighbors within 100 yards of your front door, you have very few neighbors to hear from.
Cats still belong in controlled situations, indoors or in a "catio".

 

[Eeilee]

I saw a system advertised that had a motion detector trigger a high power water jet. Must admit I thought that was a bit OTT, I'm not anti cat, I just want to enjoy the garden.

Yes it’s not the cats fault that the owners are irresponsible. I wouldn’t want to hurt the cat, just give it a good scare letting it know it’s unwelcome.
For the OP, what might help, if feasible, is to sign up for a neighborhood watch forum and if possible, reach out to the cats owners letting them know you are having issues with their pets.
While cats may have their place outdoors on a working farm for rodent control, they are not welcome in a neighborhood with gardens and children. Spreading disease, breeding unchecked ( if left unaltered) and destroying property ( a good garden isn’t cheap!)
Not to mention as another poster stated that cats will kill birds, including rare or endangered species.
If appealing to the owners doesn’t work then perhaps contacting your local animal control might be worth a shot.

 

[Logan]

What about hedgehogs?

I couldn't be sure but a ultrasonic cat scarers should be ok.

 

[Tetters]

Cats are lovely, and so are dogs - I have rescued and re homed many small dogs,mostly Yorkshire Terriers. I don't have a problem with loving the animals. It's more the thoughtless, selfish, **!!** neighbour who only worries about herself, and sod everyone else.
We have one of those neighbours at the moment who moved in recently with about a dozen or more cats and four very large dogs. The cats do as they like and create havoc for everyone in our little village, while the dogs bark non-stop all day and into the night - starting at the crack of dawn. They are allegedly brought here from a farm after a divorce situation. The poor dogs don't get exercised and are bored stiff. The cats are all very skinny except for one - and I hope and pray she is not pregnant.
Although the situation is difficult in every possible way, we can see no solution. It is their OWNER who is the pest, and needs to be dealt with..... ....tempting but not legal.
If using nets in the garden, please use well secured metal ones. Wildlife, especially hedgehogs can be brutally maimed and killed with loose plastic netting - I've seen some results - horrifying!!

 

[Skubala]

I have successfully used chicken wire and hardware cloth just laid on the ground (both come on rolls of 3-4' wide). As seedlings emerge you can lift the wire with stones or pieces of lumber to keep them them from tangling in the wire. When the plants are big enough to fend for themselves remove it and hang it some where. It's reusable.

 

[Tetters]

Well done @Skubala - it seems our thoughts are as similar as our avatar pictures