[alexroyall85]

Hi all

I am having a terrible problem with cats coming onto the allotment and scratching around in the beds. Apart from putting wire netting over the rows can anyone suggest a better way of deterring them.

Many thanks
Alex

[JayG]

Newly-raked seed beds make the perfect cat toilet - I find that chucking ordinary garden netting over such areas is enough to put them off (also deters foxes which go for the chicken pellets, and also in my case, the current tub of Growmore which has an entirely unexpected and unwelcome animal pong to it!)

Once the seeds are up and the soil flattened by rain they usually 'go' somewhere else so you can take the netting off.

Other members have posted about less obvious deterrents, like citrus peel and pepper IIRC, but I prefer netting (it works!)

[Aunt Sally]

It's a tricky problem, isn't it 

You might try some of these:
http://www.wikihow.com/Repel-Cats

(No unpleasant solutions please or they will be removed!)

[Lardman]

I prefer netting (it works!)

Do I need to dig out that picture of the pile of cat "eggs" on top of my scaffold netting

You'll need to present a non-flat surface for them or if you have mains water pressure I can recommend a water scarecrow (basically a sprinkler on a PIR) it's the only thing I've found which actually works here.  Even now 2 years later if I forget to plug it in I can almost guarantee a pile next day. 

[JayG]

I suspect that debris netting is smooth enough not to put them off - ordinary plastic garden netting would catch in their claws when trying to scratch or dig, and they don't like that at all.

[grendel]

we use plastic egg trays in places we don't want cats to sit (on top of the bread maker) this is uncomfortable enough to stop even the most determined cat from cooking its bottom on the bread machine while running. should work outside too if pegged down (and form a sort of cloche)
Grendel

[Goosegirl]

I cover a newly-planted area with clematis netting raised about 6" off the ground by securing it to bamboo canes. I have 4 cats and it seems to work ok.

[sunshineband]

I cover a newly-planted area with clematis netting raised about 6" off the ground by securing it to bamboo canes. I have 4 cats and it seems to work ok.

This is what I do too -- keeps our cat away with no trouble 

The garden at the school I worked at was plagued by foxes --- worked as a deterrent to them too, if it was taught enough. 

[3759allen]

i don't have a problem with them digging and scratching but do with them leaving presents on my gravel drive

i sprinkle pepper (cheapo ground from the supermarket, a few pence for a pot). depending on size of bed i suppose. but sprinkle around the outside perimeter may deter them. i think it works buy them smelling there way around and sniffing the pepper. it does have to be re applied every few months, especially after raining.

[3 allotments]

Mmmmmmmmmm CATS we shall not go there not after making nice seed beds for them to come and make a mess :mad:grrrrrrrrrrrr

[A Reyt Tayty]

I've tried every commercially available trick, every old wives tale. I've netted, I've fenced. I've bought electronic scarers, mirrors, masks, cardboard cut outs. NOTHING WORKS!

[ROYAL=BD=]

Hi,
over the years I have been saving all my failed onions ( bolted / haven't kept ), save them in the shed until spring.
Then I dice them up and scatter them where required during spring.
I do this twice a week and the cats hate the slightest whiff of them ( Have 2 cats of my own).
Also I dice old unwanted hot peppers they are not wanted which also works  .
the above does not cost me a penny.

worth a try , but don't get supermarket onions as they will not be as strong as home-grown

[diospyros]

I don't know if this is at all useful, but I recently got one of those prickly plastic doormats (actually it arrived in the gales) and I have noticed our cat hates walking on it.

[hanssg]

i am an upholsterer and i use the off cuts from my tacking strips they are very sharp good look to them.