Sprays to Keep Cats Out of Flower Beds

Keep your furry friends out of your garden with harmless, fragrant sprays.

Whether they're strays or your own, cats in the garden can be disastrous. Not only can cats ruin your garden and trample your plants, they can also become very sick if they munch on the wrong thing. Though you can put up fences, cats are so agile that they can still invade your garden if they're determined. The cat's decision to stay away must be her own, which is why cat-repelling sprays make an effective deterrent.

Rue

Cats hate the scent of rue, according to the website I Must Garden. When planted in pots or as edging around your garden, rue will repel cats no matter how tempting the garden may be. Because scents intensify as herbs dry, make a spray of steeped rue leaves. Steep about 2 tbsp. of dried rue leaves in 8 oz. of boiling water for 10 minutes. Place this mix in a spray bottle and spritz it over your garden. Spray around the perimeter as well as any fences or trees nearby that a cat could use to bypass the edges of the garden.

Citrus

Create a repellent spray from citrus, which cats disdain. Mix about a tablespoon of citrus oil with 8 oz. of water. Shake well and spray your entire garden. You can purchase citrus oil at health food and craft stores. You can also make it at home by zesting lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit. Add the zest to boiling water for about 10 minutes. Let it cool before spraying on your garden.

Eucalyptus

According to the North Dakota University Extension, cats can't stand the smell of eucalyptus. The plant's pungent scent overwhelms a cat's delicate olfactory system. Dilute about a tablespoon of eucalyptus oil with 8 oz. of water and spray your garden. Reapply every three weeks to keep cats from coming back.

Anise

Anise plants and seeds smell very strongly of black licorice, a scent disliked by cats, according to the North Dakota University Extension. Pour about a teaspoon (the oil is very strong) of anise oil into 8 oz. of water and spray the perimeter of your garden. You can also use anise tea for this purpose. Steep about a teaspoon of the seeds in 8 oz. of boiling water to bring out the oils. Chill the tea before using it on your garden as hot water may wilt your plants.

References

• "North Dakota University Extension"; Questions on Cats; Ron Smith.
• I Must Garden: Tips for Repelling Cats