How can I keep a feral cat out of my yard, flower garden and off of my porch?

1. 89

   ThePracticalMommyposted 12 years ago

   How can I keep a feral cat out of my yard, flower garden and off of my porch?
   
   Don't get me wrong; I like cats when they're kept inside, and all cute and cuddly. This cat, and a few others, are descendants of my neighbor's cats (which are allowed to roam around outside all day), and they are now roaming the neighborhood. What can I do, besides calling pet control, to keep them off of my porch and away from my garden and yard?

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2. 78

   KellyPittmanposted 12 years ago

   Get a dog!    Just kidding.
   
   Make sure there is nothing they are eating around your house first.  If there is a food supply, they arent' going anywhere.
   
   I used mothballs around flowerbeds to keep cats from using it as a bathroom.  But mothballs do smell....
   
   I've also used rubber snakes. (which can be entertaining to watch a cat bolt away from that)  But there's always one brave one that will figure out it's not real so try moving them around the garden everyday. 
   
   You may want to call pet control and find out if your area has any programs to spay and neuter feral cats. 
   
   I used to volunteer with an organization in Baton Rouge called Cat Haven (and there are others)  that has a "feral cat trap and release" program.
   
   You can ask your neighbor to contact them for help in stopping the population.  If she/he doesn't want to claim them, the organization may take them to adopt out.
   
   Good luck!

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3. 0

   RTalloniposted 12 years ago

   A practical look at concerns and solutions related to feral cats and their populations.  Avoid trouble when encountering them by educating yourself on the needs and how to help meet them. read more

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4. 72

   sunbun143posted 12 years ago

   I have this problem too so I searched for some humane solutions. One thing I read said to pour your old coffee grounds around your plants (which is nutritious for them anyway) because cats don't like stepping in it so will stay away. Have done this only for 2 weeks so not sure if it really works. I like the rubber snake idea

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5. 76

   alphagirlposted 12 years ago

   Stop feeding the cat. Don't leave any food out. I have a friend who started with one. She has a big heart for strays. Then there were two, then 3. They know you feed them. good luck.

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6. 79

   Man from Modestoposted 12 years ago

   shotgun.
   
   
   Your answer is too short. Please make it longer. But that would ruin the impact humor!

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7. 60

   Allana Calhounposted 12 years ago

   Crushed eggshells. Works a lot like the coffee grounds - they don't like stepping on them.

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8. 86

   justmesuzanneposted 12 years ago

   Your animal control service may have a good feral cat program that will relocate them to a better situation. My local animal control has a barn cats program that places barn cats free of charge, fully vetted. These are essentially feral cats that they determine would do well in a setting with enough human interaction to be fed and to stick around and catch mice. I got one of them, and I'm very happy with him. Find out what your animal control services offer. You might be doing these cats a favor!
   
   While you're dealing with animal control, do adopt a dog. Then you won't have to worry about cats in your yard. Just be sure you keep your dog well-contained so it doesn't stray.

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9. 89

   ThePracticalMommyposted 12 years ago

   Note: I do have a large dog, but when the dog's gone away (aka inside the house) the cats come out to play... Thank you all for your ideas, though!

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10. 60

    GardenCookposted 12 years ago

    In my large raised beds i have to use weed block fabric, otherwise the cats think they are the worlds largest litter boxes.  The good news is you can put grass clippings on top of the fabric for extra nitrogen to your plants.  I use straw at least 4" deep to cover them in the winter for the same reason.   
    If you find an answer to how to negate a Tom cat spray/marking area I would love to hear it.  I've tried pepper spray and lemon grass based spray to no avail.
    PS - my garden soil has coffee grounds in it and it doesn't seem to deter the cats at all, but coffee grounds are great organic matter to add once composted.  Good luck.

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11. 65

    Hawkesdreamposted 12 years ago

    This is a good remedy, and it works. If you are near a zoo or a good pet/garden centre, you could purchase some 'lion poo'. When you have it, lay it around the perimeter of your garden.
    Cats will not go where there are larger cats.

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12. 60

    Dahlia Flowerposted 12 years ago

    I've heard of many experiences about feral cats where they have been run out of someone's yard and none of the stories have been pleasant. But this was all on one particular street where 42 known feral cats lived across the asphalt in the forest.
    
    Feral cats need spaying or neutering, food and water.
    
    alleycats.org is a national society with excellent answers for all kinds of questions to do with feral cats.  I am sure there will be a good answer there on this question.

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13. 70

    crazyhorsesghostposted 12 years ago

    Learn tricks to keep cats from trespassing on your property for once and for all. read more

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14. 71

    debbie robertsposted 12 years ago

    I've heard that cats don't like black pepper. You could try sprinkling that where the cats are being a problem, I honestly couldn't tell you if it works or not, worth a try as it's a could be a safe and cheap solution to your problem.
    Goodluck!!

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