Whether they are personal pets, strays or the neighbor's wandering mischief makers, cats can do serious damage in a garden and spread harmful diseases through their feces in a sandbox. Even the cutest indoor cats also manage to cause trouble inside. Cat repellents can keep cats away from forbidden areas. However, many people are wary of using chemicals, and traditional homemade repellents use cayenne pepper and mothballs, both of which can hurt cats. To concoct a gentle but effective cat repellent, try keeping these ideas in mind.
Citrus Peels
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Cats can't stand the smell of citrus, so a mix of citrus peels and slices can go a long way in keeping them out. Cut up lemons, oranges and grapefruits, then spread the pieces around the garden if you're having trouble in the plants. Or sew peels into simple cloth sachets to place in off-limits areas inside. The peels will continue to emit odor and the cat won't want to come near.
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Oils
Citrus oils are also very effective. Citronella oil in the garden repels mosquitoes and cats at the same time. To make an indoor spray, combine 20 drops of lemon oil, 20 drops of eucalyptus oil, and 1 quart of water. Shake the mixture well and then use a spray bottle to lightly mist around areas you want the cat to stay away from.
Vinegar and Soap
Another all-purpose recipe can be concocted with vinegar and liquid soap. Combine 1 cup of the vinegar and one of cup of the liquid soap with one cup of water. You can use other amounts, but the proportions should always be equal. The soap helps retain the smell of the vinegar and keep it in place so that the repellent continues to work.
Household Items
Blood meal is a common fertilizer for the garden, but it can serve in a second capacity as a homemade cat repellent. Just sprinkle the blood meal around plants and areas that are forbidden. Used coffee grounds will also do double duty. When used in the garden at the base of plants, they will not only keep cats away but also garden pests such as slugs. Furthermore, they help fertilize some garden plants.