How about putting some trellis up where the cat is getting in - better still if you get some trailing plants with sharp edges (climbing roses or similar). That should stop the cat getting in.
Re: Here Here in rural Bradford, our garden is beautiful. Seriously. I too have enjoyed watching the many different birds visit us. And our chocolate lab - Bailey - doesn't bat an eyelid at their appearance. However, next doors cat is an unwelcome visitor, and he sees it off in no time at all. In fact, he'll end up getting it by the throat eventually, I can see it happening. My problem are the lovely grey squirrels that also visit our garden. Bailey isn't as malevolent when they show up. Funny though, watching his face as they shoot up a tree or whatever. I think he's made it his goal to catch one of them. Dunno why he doesn't chase the birds away though, because when I take him walking he hates crows in particular. Again, very amusing watching him try to catch summat that can fly. I appreciate my little tale is of no help to you Kev, but such is life.
I had same thing with next doors cat...SUPERSOAKER... sorted... said cat runs now even it sees me without the SuperSoaker. Also the clear plastic 2L empty bottle with water in is sworn by may. You can also get large ceramic glazed balls from most garden centres, they do a similar thing to the water bottles and are more decorative.... but for me its the SUPER SOAKER every time... also it has its hilarity when you shoot various family members and pets too MWUHAHAHAHAHAHA get thissen down to TOYS'R'US matey you know you want to
Re: I had same thing with next doors cat...SUPERSOAKER... I DID quite fancy that idea. But, having read Shy Talk's PM, it's given me food for thought.
Thank you everyone For taking the time to offer practical advice. It's given us food for thought. Once again, thank you. I knew I could rely on the BBS. Kev
According to the RSPB you do not have a problem as: "It is likely that most of the birds killed by cats would have died anyway"
Re: Here Not had any squirrels paying us a visit yet, mate, unless I've simply not seen them. Twenty years ago, the German Shepherd we had hated cats thus ensuring not a one paid us an unwelcome visit. But, although a fantastic guard dog (as she looks and sounds ferocious),Sable who we have now is a big softy.
Yeah, this has been pointed out to me. It could well be I've put two and two together and come up with five with regards to the birds. However, I still don't want someone else's cat in my garden.
Just to repeat what others have said - water. Personally I use the hose pipe. It doesn't hurt them but they hate it. I wouldn't bother with any of the powders and sprays and ointments and stuff that are supposed to deter cats. I've tried a few and in my experience they do nothing at all. We even bought some plants that are supposed to do the same job. I planted a couple and within 10 minutes I was watching next door's cat eat them. Summat else that works and works really well, is whenever you see that cat in your garden, run outside shouting and hollering and kicking up at fuss chasing the cat away. You might feel like a berk, but the cat will soon learn that your garden isn't a friendly place and will steer clear. I love cats, but was fed up of the local ones using our garden as a toilet. I can tell you from personal experience that the above two methods work.
Cheers, mate. The water option is practical and could be quite effective in the short term. I like the longer term option of planting some more climbing roses (we have one already which grows over the arch over our garden bench). I don't like cats, but I wouldn't dream of hurting one.
Re: Here As I say, mate, it's very rural where we are, and there's acres upon acres of fields surrounding us, most of them are r lasses sisters (she has a farm in our village). So we're blessed to see so much wildlife in our own back garden. We've only lived in this place for three months so I'm really looking forward to the Summer months, to spend some time in the garden with a drink and the animals. I love animals. Less complicated than humans.
That's another good option, but like you said, a long term approach. We've done a lot of planting that has kept cats from coming through much of the boundary, but we've got an open driveway that leads right to the back garden, so that was never going to work completely for us. There's some brilliant climbing roses these days that will flower for months at a time.
Re: Here There's nothing I like better than being sat in the garden on a warm day, listening & watching the birds, drinking a glass/bottle of cold wine, whilst reading an archaeological book. I'm a man of very simple tastes. Boring, too!
