How to Keep Stray Cats Out of your Yard

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By Susan Golis
eHow Community Member

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(53 Ratings)

Many people are upset due to the stray cats that camp out in their yards. The cats take over the patio furniture, drink from the pond, eat the plant’s, use the flower garden as a litter box, and the list goes on and on. You think poison or a pellet gun will solve your cat problem. There are better ways to rid your yard of uninvited cats. Here are some tips on how to keep the stray cats out of your yard.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Citrus peels
Motion activated sprinkler
Plant's that repel cats
Coffee grounds
Chicken wire
Quick cement

Step 1

Install a cat proof fence. As you know cats are very agile, and they can get around almost anything. A fence will deter the cats but you will need to make it cat proof. A good suggestion is to dig a little tunnel directly below the fence; two inches wide and six inches deep, then fill the tunnel with quick cement, this prevents cats from digging their way into your yard.
Step 2

Prevent cats from climbing over the fence by installing chicken wire along the top.
Step 3

Remove all food

Close down the bed and breakfast. Cats will camp out in your yard if there is a food source. If you have a deck that is low to the ground, cats have moved in. Now if you have a dog that comes in at night, but his food bowl stays out, you have a cat’s bed and breakfast!
Step 4

Kitten sitting on mulch

Alter the comfort zone. Cats hang out in flowerbeds. Not to worry they are not eating while they are in there, unless you have some catnip. Cats are more interested in the soft mulch that you just put down. To a cat, mulch is the next best thing to kitty litter! Put down some chicken wire. Cats simply cannot dig through the wire to do their business. Cut the wire to any size, and then place the wire around your plants. Next, cover the wire with mulch.
Step 5

Repel cats with grapefruit

Repel cats with citrus; oranges, grapefruit, lemons and lime peel. Eat the fruit but keep the peels. Dice the peel into smaller pieces and place in your flowerbeds. Then toss the peel wherever you want, cats detest citrus. Only one problem, you will have to replenish your peels once a week.
Step 6

Install a Scarecrow motion activated sprinkler. This sprinkler will dare the cats to cross your yard. One paw in the wrong location and the cat gets wet. This is a safe method to scare cats away without hurting them.
Step 7

English Lavender

Invest in plants that are repulsive to cats. Naturally repel cats by planting Peppermint, Geranium, Rue, Lavender, Garlic, Lemon Grass and Thyme.
Step 8

Coffee repels cats

Brew some coffee, enjoy a cup but do not throw away the grounds. Sprinkle coffee grounds in your yard and flowerbeds. Not only does coffee repel cats, it also keeps the raccoons, slugs and snails away.
Step 9

Shake-away coyote and fox urine is effective in repelling cats. One sniff and the cats will run out of your yard. For best results, apply the natural repellent along the perimeter. This solution will also deter raccoons. Reapply after rain.
Step 10

Remove safe zone

Remove the safe zone. Cats hang out in yards because they feel safe. The best way to remove cats is to get an outside dog.