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Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
Friends,
I recently moved into a new house. I use the square foot gardening method, so I tilled up a nice little section and placed several wooden frames for my plants (three 4x4, two 2x6 and two 2x8). My problem is that my cat has decided that I've built her the seven biggest cat boxes in the county. At first, it was no big deal. Most of the garden doesn't have anything in it yet and it's easy to tell where she's been digging. I just scoop out her business (check for saltiness, of course) and smooth over the soil. Yesterday, though, she just dug up two square feet of radish and carrot seeds to plant her own cat poop plant. Needless to say, I was ready to plant a cat bush about then (but I guess that next season, I'd have an even bigger problem as all the cats got ripe). I've read some back posts on some solutions, but I want to get some fresh opinions. Someone suggested chili powder or cayenne pepper would keep her out, but also that she might lick it off of her feet and maybe get it in her eyes. They went on to suggest that she might scratch out her own eyes to relieve the pain. How about black pepper or coffee grinds? Will these keep her out without causing her to resort to self mutilation? Do coffee grinds have to be fresh? (I hear that fresh coffee grinds keep snails away too, so if they would work, that would be great.) I don't want to hurt her, but I'm not above causing a little discomfort (as long as she won't injure herself to avert it) or even scaring the hell out of her (though I would probably prefer not to). I chase her out of the boxes when I see her in them, but I can't watch her twenty four seven. Locking her indoors is not an option. I'm also extremely lazy, so building a fence or chicken wire covers is out. Well, maybe chicken wire covers, but I'd rather pursue some easier options first. I'm also completely organic, so mothballs or other chemicals are out. Anyways, what has worked for you? Thanks, b. |
Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
Brian,
My raised beds front a greenway, and I get cats, geese, nutira, you name it. For cat control, I use orange peels scattered throughout the garden. Works well. For nutria, I use live animal traps. For geese, I dangle AOL CDs from poles in the garden. They're scary when the wind blows... skg "brian" wrote in message om... Friends, snip My problem is that my cat has decided that I've built her the seven biggest cat boxes in the county. snip Anyways, what has worked for you? Thanks, b. |
Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
Not a solution to keep her away, rather to avert her to better places, but
have you considered building a cat litter box outside? Seriously. Build one, perhaps 3x3 (big enough to be as appealing as the garden boxes) and fill it with sand or very sandy soil. Cover it with some sort of cover to keep the soil dry with a cover perhaps three feet off the surface, far enough to keep the rain out but close enough to also keep the rain out. If you decide to do this, you might want to decorate it in some clever way. It seems logical that she would prefer the light sandy soil to the garden soil. On the good side, the work need not go to waste. If she really doesn't like it, after weeks/months that you know she won't use it, you can always plant a nice planting of cacti. When she starts using it, periodically cleaning it would be prudent. Oh, and nice little electric wires around the vegetable boxes probably wouldn't hurt a bit (well, her, but only once if she's a normally smart cat). Glenna |
Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
"Glenna Rose" wrote in message news:fc.003d0941018d3ca53b9aca00be29f75f.18d3cd6@p mug.org... Not a solution to keep her away, rather to avert her to better places, but have you considered building a cat litter box outside? Seriously. Build one, perhaps 3x3 (big enough to be as appealing as the garden boxes) and fill it with sand or very sandy soil. Cover it with some sort of cover to keep the soil dry with a cover perhaps three feet off the surface, far enough to keep the rain out but close enough to also keep the rain out. If you decide to do this, you might want to decorate it in some clever way. It seems logical that she would prefer the light sandy soil to the garden soil. On the good side, the work need not go to waste. If she really doesn't like it, after weeks/months that you know she won't use it, you can always plant a nice planting of cacti. When she starts using it, periodically cleaning it would be prudent. Oh, and nice little electric wires around the vegetable boxes probably wouldn't hurt a bit (well, her, but only once if she's a normally smart cat). Glenna The best solution I have found is to simply lay chicken wire on top of the raised beds. Regards, Bill |
Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
I don't want to hurt her, but I'm not above causing a little
discomfort (as long as she won't injure herself to avert it) or even scaring the hell out of her (though I would probably prefer not to). Perhaps you could lay in wait with a garden hose--wait until the cat is poised for a deposit, and hose it into next week. Shouldn't take too many applications. -- The US government wants the power to read citizens' email, but refuses to defend the nation's borders. What's wrong with this picture? |
Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
"Anonymo421" wrote in message
... Perhaps you could lay in wait with a garden hose--wait until the cat is poised for a deposit, and hose it into next week. Shouldn't take too many applications. Or try a motion detecter that momentarily turns on sprinklers. -Olin |
Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
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Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
Yeah, I had the same problem with my cat's as well!
Peppers can and does irritate them when they get it into their eyes but it is a fast learning curve! As with anything applied topical---you have to continue with re-application. Soon she will learn to stay out. However, you will always have to re-apply after every watering! Another option is to purchase those little plastic plug things you see on roses when you get them from a florist. I haven't found an on-line source for these yet and simply purchase them from my local florist store for 10 cents each. I steppe the hottest peppers (About 2 cups full sometimes more never less) from the garden in a vegetable oil (buy the cheap kind, you aren't going to eat it!) Drain out a few cups, run the peppers through the blender with some of the oil you drained out. With a funnel, pour it back into the oil and POOF, a month later you have a gallon worth of CAT HATING HOT PEPPER SMELL! (If you purchased a gallon of oil in the first place that is. With a Dremil, (or any drill with a very small drill bit) drill holes all over your plastic plugger thing. They have a stopper with a hole in it for the flower stem. Once I have drilled holes in the plugger I dip them into a melted paraffin wax (from the canning section of the grocery market). Don't get the wax too thick as you want the smell to permeate it. Yes, in hot weather you will find yourself refilling the hot oil once or twice per month. And re-dipping the plugger. But you can keep the paraffin in its own container and melt it in the microwave. I keep it in a large plastic container-re-used from any product---mine happens to be a large butter tub. Once you have the holes drill, applied the thin coating of wax, put the stopper on the top, tie some garden twine just under the stopper cap. Make sure you allow enough twine to tie it to your plants or stake! Remove the stopper, fill the plugger with the hot oil, replace the stopper and attach it to the plant or stake near the plant. I use this same method for my indoor plants as well because lets face it, give kitty soil and YUCK! I leave the top open and simply change them once a month with a good washing in the dishwasher refill and go. Once, I thought the cats had learned where NOT TO GO! Wrong, with the hot pepper smell gone GAME WAS BACK ON! Grrrrrrrr. Also, after a heavy rain I re-fill them. As it's a garden, lets face it, you are in it all the time so it's easy to check on the condition of your hot pepper plugs. Timber www.timberslodge.net ....a Step Through Time "brian" wrote in message om... Friends, I recently moved into a new house. I use the square foot gardening method, so I tilled up a nice little section and placed several wooden frames for my plants (three 4x4, two 2x6 and two 2x8). My problem is that my cat has decided that I've built her the seven biggest cat boxes in the county. At first, it was no big deal. Most of the garden doesn't have anything in it yet and it's easy to tell where she's been digging. I just scoop out her business (check for saltiness, of course) and smooth over the soil. Yesterday, though, she just dug up two square feet of radish and carrot seeds to plant her own cat poop plant. Needless to say, I was ready to plant a cat bush about then (but I guess that next season, I'd have an even bigger problem as all the cats got ripe). I've read some back posts on some solutions, but I want to get some fresh opinions. Someone suggested chili powder or cayenne pepper would keep her out, but also that she might lick it off of her feet and maybe get it in her eyes. They went on to suggest that she might scratch out her own eyes to relieve the pain. How about black pepper or coffee grinds? Will these keep her out without causing her to resort to self mutilation? Do coffee grinds have to be fresh? (I hear that fresh coffee grinds keep snails away too, so if they would work, that would be great.) I don't want to hurt her, but I'm not above causing a little discomfort (as long as she won't injure herself to avert it) or even scaring the hell out of her (though I would probably prefer not to). I chase her out of the boxes when I see her in them, but I can't watch her twenty four seven. Locking her indoors is not an option. I'm also extremely lazy, so building a fence or chicken wire covers is out. Well, maybe chicken wire covers, but I'd rather pursue some easier options first. I'm also completely organic, so mothballs or other chemicals are out. Anyways, what has worked for you? Thanks, b. |
Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
brian wrote:
Friends, I recently moved into a new house. I use the square foot gardening method, so I tilled up a nice little section and placed several wooden frames for my plants (three 4x4, two 2x6 and two 2x8). My problem is that my cat has decided that I've built her the seven biggest cat boxes in the county. At first, it was no big deal. Most of the garden doesn't have anything in it yet and it's easy to tell where she's been digging. I just scoop out her business (check for saltiness, of course) and smooth over the soil. Yesterday, though, she just dug up two square feet of radish and carrot seeds to plant her own cat poop plant. Needless to say, I was ready to plant a cat bush about then (but I guess that next season, I'd have an even bigger problem as all the cats got ripe). I've read some back posts on some solutions, but I want to get some fresh opinions. Someone suggested chili powder or cayenne pepper would keep her out, but also that she might lick it off of her feet and maybe get it in her eyes. They went on to suggest that she might scratch out her own eyes to relieve the pain. How about black pepper or coffee grinds? Will these keep her out without causing her to resort to self mutilation? Do coffee grinds have to be fresh? (I hear that fresh coffee grinds keep snails away too, so if they would work, that would be great.) I don't want to hurt her, but I'm not above causing a little discomfort (as long as she won't injure herself to avert it) or even scaring the hell out of her (though I would probably prefer not to). I chase her out of the boxes when I see her in them, but I can't watch her twenty four seven. Locking her indoors is not an option. I'm also extremely lazy, so building a fence or chicken wire covers is out. Well, maybe chicken wire covers, but I'd rather pursue some easier options first. I'm also completely organic, so mothballs or other chemicals are out. Anyways, what has worked for you? Thanks, b. A blast of cold water smack in the face. My neighbor lets his cats run loose & they love to dig up my container garden. Each time I catch them, I blast them with cold water. After several hard-pressured blasts, they stayed away last summer. Now spring is coming. This time, I plan to set out poison. If the jerk won't control his cats, oh well. It's the cats or the veggies I worked hard to grow, & I don't like cats in any event. I want & need the veggies. Cat stew is also an option. I've had it with this irresponsible cat owner. Minteeleaf, not gonna take it anymore. |
Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
I think I'm going to recommend what is for me the universal garden problem
solver, chicken wire. Get enough to go around the garden and staple it to inexpensive little wood uprights to make a very inexpensive perimeter fence you can put up in just a few minutes. We have several cats. They have a huge concern for their paws and it seems like they don't like to get them into chicken wire. Plus they don't tend to jump up and over something and back down again, hardly ever. They like to jump up on things, or jump down from things, but they try to avoid anything they have to hurdle. From past experience, to save some work, use Preen under the fence so you don't get weeds growing there. And/or put your grass clippings there. "brian" wrote in message om... Friends, I recently moved into a new house. I use the square foot gardening method, so I tilled up a nice little section and placed several wooden frames for my plants (three 4x4, two 2x6 and two 2x8). My problem is that my cat has decided that I've built her the seven biggest cat boxes in the county. At first, it was no big deal. Most of the garden doesn't have anything in it yet and it's easy to tell where she's been digging. I just scoop out her business (check for saltiness, of course) and smooth over the soil. Yesterday, though, she just dug up two square feet of radish and carrot seeds to plant her own cat poop plant. Needless to say, I was ready to plant a cat bush about then (but I guess that next season, I'd have an even bigger problem as all the cats got ripe). I've read some back posts on some solutions, but I want to get some fresh opinions. Someone suggested chili powder or cayenne pepper would keep her out, but also that she might lick it off of her feet and maybe get it in her eyes. They went on to suggest that she might scratch out her own eyes to relieve the pain. How about black pepper or coffee grinds? Will these keep her out without causing her to resort to self mutilation? Do coffee grinds have to be fresh? (I hear that fresh coffee grinds keep snails away too, so if they would work, that would be great.) I don't want to hurt her, but I'm not above causing a little discomfort (as long as she won't injure herself to avert it) or even scaring the hell out of her (though I would probably prefer not to). I chase her out of the boxes when I see her in them, but I can't watch her twenty four seven. Locking her indoors is not an option. I'm also extremely lazy, so building a fence or chicken wire covers is out. Well, maybe chicken wire covers, but I'd rather pursue some easier options first. I'm also completely organic, so mothballs or other chemicals are out. Anyways, what has worked for you? Thanks, b. |
Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
On Fri, 07 Mar 2003 22:35:22 GMT, "Tim B"
wrote: I think I'm going to recommend what is for me the universal garden problem solver, chicken wire. Get enough to go around the garden and staple it to inexpensive little wood uprights to make a very inexpensive perimeter fence you can put up in just a few minutes. We have several cats. They have a huge concern for their paws and it seems like they don't like to get them into chicken wire. Plus they don't tend to jump up and over something and back down again, hardly ever. They like to jump up on things, or jump down from things, but they try to avoid anything they have to hurdle. Works fine for us too. The little 3' high chicken wire fence also keeps out rabbits and our dogs - the garden is inside the dog's fenced back yard. Pat -- CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ |
Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
My personal favorite!!!
"Repeating Decimal" wrote in message ... in article , brian at wrote on 3/7/03 7:56 AM: Anyways, what has worked for you? killing them |
Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
ROTTWEILER
"Pat Meadows" wrote in message ... On Fri, 07 Mar 2003 22:35:22 GMT, "Tim B" wrote: I think I'm going to recommend what is for me the universal garden problem solver, chicken wire. Get enough to go around the garden and staple it to inexpensive little wood uprights to make a very inexpensive perimeter fence you can put up in just a few minutes. We have several cats. They have a huge concern for their paws and it seems like they don't like to get them into chicken wire. Plus they don't tend to jump up and over something and back down again, hardly ever. They like to jump up on things, or jump down from things, but they try to avoid anything they have to hurdle. Works fine for us too. The little 3' high chicken wire fence also keeps out rabbits and our dogs - the garden is inside the dog's fenced back yard. Pat -- CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ |
Seven Biggest Cat Boxes in the County
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