Cats again

[Albert Fiantaca]

Hi

It's springtime. The garden soil is soft and has been turned once. The
gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is
the place to crap in. It stinks to the heavens and I particularly don't
want it where I grow food. I have to search out the spot where they
their bury it and dig it out to dispose of it. What can I do to put a
stop to this? No, I can't shoot them. Poison is out, I have a dog, and
young children around.

Thanks, Al

[Pam]

Albert Fiantaca wrote:

> Hi
>
> It's springtime. The garden soil is soft and has been turned once. The
> gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is
> the place to crap in. It stinks to the heavens and I particularly don't
> want it where I grow food. I have to search out the spot where they
> their bury it and dig it out to dispose of it. What can I do to put a
> stop to this? No, I can't shoot them. Poison is out, I have a dog, and
> young children around.
>
> Thanks, Al

The only sure thing I have found to keep cats out your beds is to cover
them (the beds, not the cats!) with crumpled chicken wire. Cheap, easy to
mold to shape, lightweight and with large enough openings so seedlings can
poke through. Make sure it is crumpled a bit - flat chicken wire doesn't
seem to have the same powers of deterrence. Once seedlings have emerged to
a reasonable size, you can use the wire as a sort of tented mulch to
protect the surrounding soil.

I haven't described this well - too tired - but I hope you get the picture.
:-)

pam - gardengal

[Thalocean2]

Xref: news7 rec.gardens:217168

Randomly buried bamboo skewers with about 1/2in above ground. (don't step on
them)

Laura B.

> What can I do to put a
>stop to this? No, I can't shoot them. Poison is out, I have a dog, and
>young children around.
>
>Thanks, Al

[Burl]

We love using Cocoa Mulch to keep the cats out of our planting beds! It's
super easy to work with, looks good, and smells great!
http://store.yahoo.com/emerysgardenstore/cocoamulch.html

I don't know how large of an area you have but if Cocoa Mulch doesn't work
for you, you may need to put up a chicken wire fence that the cats would
have to climb over to get in. This is just a guess but if you build it so it
has a lot of flexibility the cats may not want to go through the hassle.

Thanks,
Burl

Safe and Natural Gardening
http://www.emerysgardenstore.com


"Albert Fiantaca" > wrote in message
...
> Hi
>
> It's springtime. The garden soil is soft and has been turned once. The
> gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is
> the place to crap in. It stinks to the heavens and I particularly don't
> want it where I grow food. I have to search out the spot where they
> their bury it and dig it out to dispose of it. What can I do to put a
> stop to this? No, I can't shoot them. Poison is out, I have a dog, and
> young children around.
>
> Thanks, Al
>

[Burl]

and there is a thing called a "Motion Activated Sprinkler" that might be
fun.

"Burl" > wrote in message
news:4Evia.39666$OV.140290@rwcrnsc54...
> We love using Cocoa Mulch to keep the cats out of our planting beds! It's
> super easy to work with, looks good, and smells great!
> http://store.yahoo.com/emerysgardenstore/cocoamulch.html
>
> I don't know how large of an area you have but if Cocoa Mulch doesn't work
> for you, you may need to put up a chicken wire fence that the cats would
> have to climb over to get in. This is just a guess but if you build it so
it
> has a lot of flexibility the cats may not want to go through the hassle.
>
> Thanks,
> Burl
>
> Safe and Natural Gardening
> http://www.emerysgardenstore.com
>
>
> "Albert Fiantaca" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi
> >
> > It's springtime. The garden soil is soft and has been turned once. The
> > gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is
> > the place to crap in. It stinks to the heavens and I particularly don't
> > want it where I grow food. I have to search out the spot where they
> > their bury it and dig it out to dispose of it. What can I do to put a
> > stop to this? No, I can't shoot them. Poison is out, I have a dog, and
> > young children around.
> >
> > Thanks, Al
> >
>
>

[jammer]

Scatter orange peels


On 02 Apr 2003 05:51:01 GMT, Albert Fiantaca >
wrote:

>Hi
>
>It's springtime. The garden soil is soft and has been turned once. The
>gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is
>the place to crap in. It stinks to the heavens and I particularly don't
>want it where I grow food. I have to search out the spot where they
>their bury it and dig it out to dispose of it. What can I do to put a
>stop to this? No, I can't shoot them. Poison is out, I have a dog, and
>young children around.
>
>Thanks, Al

·.·´¨ ¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
jammer
((¸¸.·´ ..·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸

[Cathy]

Rose bush or sticker bush twigs scattered about.

A marigold border around the perimeter also works.


--
.... __~o
.. \ -\<,
......(_)/(_)....................... http://www.VoodooInk.net

te amo mucho mi amor

[Tsu Dho Nimh]

Albert Fiantaca > wrote:

>Hi
>
>It's springtime. The garden soil is soft and has been turned once. The
>gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is
>the place to crap in. It stinks to the heavens and I particularly don't
>want it where I grow food. I have to search out the spot where they
>their bury it and dig it out to dispose of it. What can I do to put a
>stop to this?

Know your enemy: Cats have a keen sense of smell, tender feet,
and hate to get wet. They also sniff the area they plan to dig
in.

Use a motion-detector sprinkler (there is a battery-operated one)
aimed at the garden. Surprise them a few times and they will
avoid the area.

They usually despise citrus peel - scattering it liberally can
help. Scattering a liberal dose of cheap HOT chile powder helps.

Laying a moat of thorny branches around the perimeter helps, as
does covering with a vinyl trellis (plant in the holes)

Pretend they are rabbits and make a hoop house with bird netting
over the veggie beds.



Tsu

--
To doubt everything or to believe everything
are two equally convenient solutions; both
dispense with the necessity of reflection.
- Jules Henri Poincaré

[Tsu Dho Nimh]

"Burl" > wrote:

>We love using Cocoa Mulch to keep the cats out of our planting beds!

Mulch? Keep a cat out of any area? Unless the mulch is made of
cholla pads, it's not going to work.


>super easy to work with, looks good, and smells great!
>http://store.yahoo.com/emerysgardenstore/cocoamulch.html

And you just happen to have a warehouse full.


Tsu

--
To doubt everything or to believe everything
are two equally convenient solutions; both
dispense with the necessity of reflection.
- Jules Henri Poincaré

[Penny Morgan]

You may want to try a product that is sold in garden centers that repels
cats. It may be called Chase Away or something close to that. Also, check
to see if it's safe to use on edibles. I can't be sure, but I think it's a
granular product that has a predator's urine in it so cats will not go near
it. It's usually fox or coyote urine. Many landscapers are using products
similar to these to keep animals out of planted flower and shrub beds. May
be something you can check on. I believe you sprinkle it around the
perimeter of the garden and not on the actual garden. Good luck.

Penny
Zone 7b - North Carolina
"Albert Fiantaca" > wrote in message
...
> Hi
>
> It's springtime. The garden soil is soft and has been turned once. The
> gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is
> the place to crap in. It stinks to the heavens and I particularly don't
> want it where I grow food. I have to search out the spot where they
> their bury it and dig it out to dispose of it. What can I do to put a
> stop to this? No, I can't shoot them. Poison is out, I have a dog, and
> young children around.
>
> Thanks, Al
>

[Burl]

Somebody has a warehouse full! We just sell it - and we sell products that
we use.

From observing my cats around the product it seems like they are mostly
detererred by the odor however, the Cocoa mulch documentation says that it's
the texture that does it.

I think that another aspect of this product helps, and that is, "after
watering Cocoa Mulch a natural gum is activated, which binds the shells into
a loosely knitted porous mat that holds the moisture in the soil, suppresses
weed growth and holds in place during normal rain or wind storms."

Thanks,
Burl

Safe and Natural Gardening
http://www.emerysgardenstore.com

"Tsu Dho Nimh" > wrote in message
...
> "Burl" > wrote:
>
> >We love using Cocoa Mulch to keep the cats out of our planting beds!
>
> Mulch? Keep a cat out of any area? Unless the mulch is made of
> cholla pads, it's not going to work.
>
>
> >super easy to work with, looks good, and smells great!
> >http://store.yahoo.com/emerysgardenstore/cocoamulch.html
>
> And you just happen to have a warehouse full.
>
>
> Tsu
>
> --
> To doubt everything or to believe everything
> are two equally convenient solutions; both
> dispense with the necessity of reflection.
> - Jules Henri Poincaré

[Tom Jaszewski]

On Wed, 02 Apr 2003 06:43:12 GMT, "Burl" > wrote:

> Cocoa Mulch to keep the cats out of our planting beds!



Bullshit and spam to boot!



"As crude a weapon as a cave man's club the chemical barrage has been hurled at the fabric of life."
Rachel Carson

[Tom Jaszewski]

On Wed, 02 Apr 2003 12:16:15 GMT, "Burl" > wrote:

> Cocoa mulch documentation

propaganda!



"As crude a weapon as a cave man's club the chemical barrage has been hurled at the fabric of life."
Rachel Carson

[Iris Cohen]

<< The gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is
the place to crap in. >>
<< What can I do to put a stop to this? >>
<< I have a dog, and young children around. >>

If these are feral cats, speak to your local animal control warden. If they
have owners, remind the owners that their cats will be safer & healthier if
they are kept indoors.
Keep your dog and children out in the yard as much as possible. It is healthier
for them anyway.
There is a motion sensor sprinkler you can get to attach to the hose, which
will chase them away harmlessly. There are non-toxic repellants you can get in
the pet store. They need to be applied after every rain.
If these cats are so fearless they come around when you are there, a water
pistol loaded with ammonia solution will act as a deterrent without doing any
serious harm.
Consider using plastic mulch after you set out the vegetable plants.
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

[paghat]

In article >, Tom Jaszewski
> wrote:

> On Wed, 02 Apr 2003 12:16:15 GMT, "Burl" > wrote:
>
> > Cocoa mulch documentation
>
> propaganda!

I didn't have the desire to read the advertising, but I assume it failed
to mention that cocoa mulch though it starts out pretty & nice-smelling
very soon gets all moldy & dusgusting?

-paghat the ratgirl

--
"Of what are you afraid, my child?" inquired the kindly teacher.
"Oh, sir! The flowers, they are wild," replied the timid creature.
-from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers"
See the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl: http://www.paghat.com/

[madgarder]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGG
GGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
not ANOTHER CAT
post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!! madgardener
whose cats know to STAY outa her many soft, loose, wonderous raised boxes or
face the wrath of the garden hose..........(in other words, put a sprinkler
on a timer to go off ramdomly to spritz them, they get pneumonia just like
we do and hate to get wet)
"Albert Fiantaca" > wrote in message
...
> Hi
>
> It's springtime. The garden soil is soft and has been turned once. The
> gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is
> the place to crap in. It stinks to the heavens and I particularly don't
> want it where I grow food. I have to search out the spot where they
> their bury it and dig it out to dispose of it. What can I do to put a
> stop to this? No, I can't shoot them. Poison is out, I have a dog, and
> young children around.
>
> Thanks, Al
>

[Dvd]

Cat poll at

http://home.golden.net/~dhobson/catpoll.htm

"Albert Fiantaca" > wrote in message
...
> Hi
>
> It's springtime. The garden soil is soft and has been turned once. The
> gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is
> the place to crap in. It stinks to the heavens and I particularly don't
> want it where I grow food. I have to search out the spot where they
> their bury it and dig it out to dispose of it. What can I do to put a
> stop to this? No, I can't shoot them. Poison is out, I have a dog, and
> young children around.
>
> Thanks, Al
>

[Dvd]

"Albert Fiantaca" > wrote in message
...
> Hi
>
> It's springtime. The garden soil is soft and has been turned once. The
> gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is

Upside down mousetraps to startle them.

[Burl]

Well, sure - product documentation is designed to show the product in the
best possible light - I've never considered that a negative thing. It's just
a starting point and I'm OK with that.

I have been using it for two years and it is working for me. There are some
things that come to mind as to why I consider it successful. First is that
although I prefer dogs I'm not a cat hater so I am willing to have some give
and take with pets and wildlife in general. Also, using Cocoa mulch as a
repellent is not the only thing I do, like all pest problems it's a balance
of repelling and attracting. So, I did leave one flower bed for the cats to
....uh, enjoy :-) so I'm not on a eradication campaign.

On, the moldy and disgusting issue - I had about a 1/2 bag of Cocoa mulch
left that I stored for the winter in the plastic bag - not sealed but just
kind of "mostly" out of the weather. It did get some moisture in it. Whoooo
that did get gross and moldy. BUT where I have it spread in my
Strawberry/Alyssum bed (about 20' by 2 1/2') it didn't appear to mold at
all. We just went through all the bed a week or so ago and it looks great.
It was a southern exposure so that undoubtably helped with keeping mold
away. I bet if it was a northern exposure or an area that would make good
mushroom habitat it would get gross.

We love it. We have it as the from the mulch around our blueberries and
strawberries in our favorite outside morning coffee place - right outside
our kitchen door.

I guess spring has sprung - it's hailing here in Seattle!


"paghat" > wrote in message
...
> In article >, Tom Jaszewski
> > wrote:
>
> > On Wed, 02 Apr 2003 12:16:15 GMT, "Burl" > wrote:
> >
> > > Cocoa mulch documentation
> >
> > propaganda!
>
> I didn't have the desire to read the advertising, but I assume it failed
> to mention that cocoa mulch though it starts out pretty & nice-smelling
> very soon gets all moldy & dusgusting?
>
> -paghat the ratgirl
>
> --
> "Of what are you afraid, my child?" inquired the kindly teacher.
> "Oh, sir! The flowers, they are wild," replied the timid creature.
> -from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers"
> See the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl: http://www.paghat.com/

[Tom Jaszewski]

On Thu, 03 Apr 2003 01:07:55 GMT, "Burl" > wrote:

>First is that
>although I prefer dogs


"We called the national Animal Poison Control Center in search of more
information, not only about cocoa mulch, but about preventing pet
poisoning in general, and talked with Dr. Michael Knight, the Center's
medical director.

Knight said all parts of the cocoa plant contain a compound called
theobromine, a central nervous system and cardiovascular stimulant.
"There are no hard numbers on just how much of the substance might be
in a given batch of cocoa shell mulch, but the caller's dog was
exhibiting symptoms consistent with theobromine poisoning -
restlessness, panting, pacing, anxious behavior."

http://ceinfo.unh.edu/Common/Documents/protpois.htm
The toxic compounds in chocolate are theobromine and caffeine, which
are classified as methylxanthine alkaloids. Theobromine is the primary
chemical involved in chocolate toxicity in small animals. Dogs and
cats are exposed to chocolate especially during the holiday season.
Because of their small body size relative to human beings, ingestion
of a fairly small amount of chocolate may cause toxicity. As little as
4 ounces of baking chocolate or 1 pound of milk chocolate could be
fatal if ingested by a dog weighing 10 pounds or less. Dogs will
readily eat a toxic dose of chocolate. Ingestion of the rich smelling
cocoa bean landscaping mulch also can be a cause of methylxanthine
toxicity. The relative amount of theobromine contained in various
chocolate compounds is described in the table below.


CHOCOLATE PRODUCT THEOBROMINE CONTENT (mg/oz)
Cocoa bean landscaping mulch 300-1200
Cacao beans 400-1500
Cocoa powder 400-550
Unsweetened baking chocolate 450

Semi-sweet baking chocolate (chips) 135-260
Milk chocolate 60
Hot chocolate beverage 12
White chocolate 1

http://petcare.umn.edu/FAQ/Toxicology/Chocolate.htm
http://hoaxinfo.com/chocolate.htm


"As crude a weapon as a cave man's club the chemical barrage has been hurled at the fabric of life."
Rachel Carson

[Burl]

Wow! Thanks for that heads up and sharing the great information.

I knew that chocolate was toxic to dogs and to not let them get into the
Snicker's bars (if there's even any chocolate in there) but I hadn't thought
of the dogs getting into the cocoa by way of licking or drinking water
leached through the mulch.

In our situtation the critters just have so many other great places to hang
out that they don't even bother with the battle.

Burl

"Tom Jaszewski" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 03 Apr 2003 01:07:55 GMT, "Burl" > wrote:
>
> >First is that
> >although I prefer dogs
>
>
> "We called the national Animal Poison Control Center in search of more
> information, not only about cocoa mulch, but about preventing pet
> poisoning in general, and talked with Dr. Michael Knight, the Center's
> medical director.
>
> Knight said all parts of the cocoa plant contain a compound called
> theobromine, a central nervous system and cardiovascular stimulant.
> "There are no hard numbers on just how much of the substance might be
> in a given batch of cocoa shell mulch, but the caller's dog was
> exhibiting symptoms consistent with theobromine poisoning -
> restlessness, panting, pacing, anxious behavior."
>
> http://ceinfo.unh.edu/Common/Documents/protpois.htm
> The toxic compounds in chocolate are theobromine and caffeine, which
> are classified as methylxanthine alkaloids. Theobromine is the primary
> chemical involved in chocolate toxicity in small animals. Dogs and
> cats are exposed to chocolate especially during the holiday season.
> Because of their small body size relative to human beings, ingestion
> of a fairly small amount of chocolate may cause toxicity. As little as
> 4 ounces of baking chocolate or 1 pound of milk chocolate could be
> fatal if ingested by a dog weighing 10 pounds or less. Dogs will
> readily eat a toxic dose of chocolate. Ingestion of the rich smelling
> cocoa bean landscaping mulch also can be a cause of methylxanthine
> toxicity. The relative amount of theobromine contained in various
> chocolate compounds is described in the table below.
>
>
> CHOCOLATE PRODUCT THEOBROMINE CONTENT (mg/oz)
> Cocoa bean landscaping mulch 300-1200
> Cacao beans 400-1500
> Cocoa powder 400-550
> Unsweetened baking chocolate 450
>
> Semi-sweet baking chocolate (chips) 135-260
> Milk chocolate 60
> Hot chocolate beverage 12
> White chocolate 1
>
> http://petcare.umn.edu/FAQ/Toxicology/Chocolate.htm
> http://hoaxinfo.com/chocolate.htm
>
>
> "As crude a weapon as a cave man's club the chemical barrage has been
hurled at the fabric of life."
> Rachel Carson

[Burl]

Wow 2354 votes!
With Cats should be Welcomed/Tolerated getting 61% of the vote and
Discouraged/!&*%#*! getting 39%.

"Dvd" > wrote in message
e.rogers.com...
> Cat poll at
>
> http://home.golden.net/~dhobson/catpoll.htm
>
> "Albert Fiantaca" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi
> >
> > It's springtime. The garden soil is soft and has been turned once. The
> > gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is
> > the place to crap in. It stinks to the heavens and I particularly don't
> > want it where I grow food. I have to search out the spot where they
> > their bury it and dig it out to dispose of it. What can I do to put a
> > stop to this? No, I can't shoot them. Poison is out, I have a dog, and
> > young children around.
> >
> > Thanks, Al
> >
>
>

[Anna Merchant]

I use this method, but have them at least 20cm out of the ground, and run
string in a tangle between all of them. Keeps both birds and cats off
seedlings etc.... Well, it worked for me. I saw the idea on an aussie garden
show, where the guy was protecting his strawberries, and the birds would get
their feet sort of tangled in the string, and wouldnt come back, and I used
it in my garden, and it kept the cats off cos they cant find a big enough
place to squat.

Then my cats might just be nice, they always seem to dig their holes 10-20cm
away from where the plants are. Unless they just dont like the spring onion
smell to get on their coat.

--
Anna Merchant

http://www.thecotfactory.co.nz
If electricity comes from electrons, does that mean that morality comes from
morons?
"Thalocean2" > wrote in message
...
> Randomly buried bamboo skewers with about 1/2in above ground. (don't step
on
> them)
>
> Laura B.
>
> > What can I do to put a
> >stop to this? No, I can't shoot them. Poison is out, I have a dog, and
> >young children around.
> >
> >Thanks, Al
>
>

[JNJ]

> A short time ago there was a thread about the diseases/dangers of cats and
> dogs in the house and their poo in the garden. It was a lengthy/detailed
and
> informative post.
>
> I was saving it for my neighbor but some how it got deleted.
>
> Does anyone have it or tell me how to find it in the archives? duh.

Sam,

When looking for old Usenet postings, it is typically easiest to use Google.
You can search all of Usenet or just a particular group.

Since what you are looking for deals with toxoplasmosis, give this link to a
preformed search a try:

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=toxoplasmosis+grou
p%3Arec.gardens&btnG=Google+Search

(if it word wraps, you'll have to cut and paste it).

To summarize, feral cats (and those that are "outside pets") frequently
carry a little bugger called toxoplasma gondii. It is responsible for
toxoplasmosis. It is transmitted when eggs are transferred from hands to
eyes or nose and/or ingested inadvertently. It's in some raw meat as well,
and survives to some degree in the soil. The primary danger here is to
pregnant mothers -- toxoplasmosis can cause miscarriage.

James

[onewaits@netscape.net]

When the ancient war dogs did battle on 02 Apr 2003 05:51:01 GMT,
Albert Fiantaca > did speak the following bit of
wisdom:

>It's springtime. The garden soil is soft and has been turned once. The
>gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is
>the place to crap in.

It's official! Even though it is snowing like crazy here in New
England, the cat posts say that Spring has arrived at last!

HURRAY!!! :D

* * * * *
Karen C.
Southern CT / USDA Zone 6
Spammers be damned! I can't be emailed from this account...

"Gardeners know all the best dirt!"

[Jo-Ann]

I have had good luck using plain old black pepper. I get the biggest,
cheapest bottles from any discount store. Sprinkle it liberally around the
plants. It usually lasts for about a month, and is much cheaper than
commercial cat repellents

[Trish K.]

Albert Fiantaca wrote:

> Hi
>
> It's springtime. The garden soil is soft and has been turned once. The
> gang of neighborhood cats have decided that my vegetable garden plot is
> the place to crap in. It stinks to the heavens and I particularly don't
> want it where I grow food. I have to search out the spot where they
> their bury it and dig it out to dispose of it. What can I do to put a
> stop to this? No, I can't shoot them. Poison is out, I have a dog, and
> young children around.
>
> Thanks, Al
>
Learn some Italian, chase them with a broom. It's not very effective,
but you can't beat the imagery.