"Pete" wrote in message
...


"Alan" wrote in message
...
In message , Baz
wrote
Thinking about getting a cat scarer, the ones that emit a sound inaudible
to us, but which cats can hear.
Have any of you had one? Do they work?

http://www.bestpestcontrol.co.uk/cat...llers-10-c.asp

No they don't work. I had one with a PIR sensor and various sound
settings. Humans, depending on their age, can hear them starting up at
the beginning of the ultrasonic sound burst. Initially the local cats
were scared but within a week they got used to it and reverted back to
their old patterns. Even moving the device around a lot had no effect.

Local foxes were not scared by it at all. I could see that they were
aware of the device going off but apart from maybe a jump of a few feet
they carried on regardless.

And no I dont have a gun.

I believe that an effective deterrent is to put some food out laced with
some anti-freeze. Other than that a large store of stones to throw keeps
then on their toes.


Excuse my ignorance - but what effect does the anti-freeze have ?


From the "Cat Owners HomeVeterinary Handbook"

http://www.doctordog.com/catbook/catpoison.html

"Poisoning with antifreeze is one of the most common poisoning conditions
found in cats because ethylene glycol has a sweet taste that appeals to cats
and dogs. One teaspoon of antifreeze can kill an average-sized cat. Signs of
toxicity, which appear suddenly, are vomiting, uncoordinated gait (seems
"drunk"), weakness, stupor and coma. Death can occur in 12 to 36 hours.
Convulsions are unusual. Cats that recover from the acute poisoning may have
damage to their kidneys and go on to kidney failure.

Treatment: Induce vomiting on suspicion of ingestion and proceed at once to
the nearest veterinary facility. Intravenous alcohol is a specific antidote.
Intensive care in an animal hospital may prevent kidney complications."

Persons who deliberately poison cats or dogs with antifreeze risk
prosecution for animal cruelty, if caught. They might also risk being
lynched, judging by the public reaction to the recent "cat in wheelie bin"
story.