Kitchen Garden Forum

My poor mother in law has a terrible problem with two cats that live next door to her. She does like cats but these people go away alot and leave her to feed the cats, so she feeds them outside her front door. (She is in a very rural area) She has a smallish area in her back garden where she has, for years, grown vegetables. These cats are using it as their personal toilet and scratching all her veggies out. She has tried putting mesh over but thats not worked. She has even bought a cat scarer which fits on the wall. That doesnt seem to be working, though the information on the packet seems to suggest that it takes several weeks to work. God knows why.

She is at the end of her tether. She has been here for tea tonight and is getting really quite upset.

Any suggestions anyone so we can try and sort it out for her as I dont like to see her so upset.

She has to keep clearing cat poo up everymorning.

Hi Catherine,

I use this in my garden and don't have any trouble any longer. When I moved here, all the local cats used the garden. Just sprinkle some around and re-new it regularly. Once the cats get used to going elsewhere, they rarely come back.
http://www.monrobrands.com/growingsucce ... cordset1=4

Sorry, I don't have any recommendations for getting rid of mothers-in law

Metal litter tray for a couple of weeks until they get used to it then wire it up to 40,000 volts.

Geoff. Won't it make the next electricity bill a bit on the high side ?

Geoff

How the hell do you get mothers-in-law to use a litter tray

Thanks everyone for your suggestions they really made me laugh this morning. Especially as it is still raining here again. And a slug has made a trail all over my newly cleaned kitchen window and door.

Catherine, I got rid of cats messing my garden by scattering prickly holly leaves around especially leaves off the hedgehog holly bush.
Bren

Thanks Bren. There are loads of holly bushes on the farm I will tell her to try that.

Geoff : Sounds painful dont think I mentioned about getting rid of my mother in law. She is really very nice and I dont think she would use a litter tray. Electricity is enough with out trying to fry the MIL. PJ You have listed this website before I am going to try and get some of their product to see if it works. I heard something about Lion Poo, I mentioned this to her but she seem a bit confused about it. as to where to get it.

For the record I didn't suggest frying the MIL only the furry feline faeces machines.

Sorry Geoff should read the postings with my glasses on then I would be able to follow it properly. Just re-read it all.

Catherine - cats are great creatures of habit, and I suspect that because they are used to coming to your mother-in-law's front door to be fed when her neighbours are away, over time they have come to believe that it's perfectly normal for her property and garden to be part of their territory. Although it would be more inconvenient for your m-i-l, the only way she will encourage the cats to stay at home is to feed them on their own territory, in THEIR front garden and shoo them off whenever the come looking for food when the neighbours are away. It will take some time for this new message to be taken on board, but eventually it may discourage them.

I agree Primrose I have always said to her that she should not feed on her property but she has never taken any notice. Also we have a granddaughter who has always made a bit fuss of the cats and also kittens so they dont know where they belong. I will try and tell her again but it remains to be seen if she takes any notice.

alan refail wrote:Geoff

How the hell do you get mothers-in-law to use a litter tray

Tell them there are some exotic chocolate truffles hidden in the sawdust so the kids don't nick them.

Catherine wrote:Geoff : Sounds painful dont think I mentioned about getting rid of my mother in law. She is really very nice and I dont think she would use a litter tray. Electricity is enough with out trying to fry the MIL. PJ You have listed this website before I am going to try and get some of their product to see if it works. I heard something about Lion Poo, I mentioned this to her but she seem a bit confused about it. as to where to get it.

From Lions