Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: John85 on April 16, 2013, 12:47:44 PM
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Some cats like to climb my tunnel and to have a nap on top of it.Unfortunately by doing so they lacerate the plastic with their claws.
I am looking for a cheap way of keeping them off.
Anyone a good idea?And please don't tell me:"rent an angry dog!".I don't want to do them any harm but I cann't afford to cover all the tunnel with wire mesh.
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What about loose strings running along the surface, with fluttering bits of string or ribbon tied at intervals ?
If these are loose enough they will flutter and move about and make it awkward for the cats to cross and bothersome if they try to settle for a sleep. Of course this will not frighten the cats, but it may make the place less of a restful place to lie......
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Try spraying WD40 (or similar) all over the sides up to 1 1/2 mtrs high ... only a suggestion, I have absolutely no idea if it will work!!! ;) :D :P ::) ??? ??? ???
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Try spraying WD40 (or similar) all over the sides up to 1 1/2 mtrs high ... only a suggestion, I have absolutely no idea if it will work!!! ;) :D :P ::) ??? ??? ???
I wondered if an application of some sort of oil would help. Was afraid that edible oil would attract more wildlife and that a heavier machine type oil would be harmful - but I hadn't thought of good old WD40 - I would certainly try that.
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Maggi,
I am afraid they 'll play with the ribbons and make even more damage.They alreay play with loose labels attached to shrubs.Much more fun and more easier than hunting mice!
About any oil:Cats 'll lick their paws , ingest some of the oil and 'll make them sick.I want no troubles with the neighbours!
May be an electronic device that makes a kind of fence around it and blast ultrasounds each times it is crossed?I know there are some for keeping dogs inside a certain perimeter.May be somebody knows more about it?
Any more ideas?
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Perhaps contact this company for advice?
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Helps if I include the link! http://www.deteracat.co.uk/index.htm (http://www.deteracat.co.uk/index.htm)
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I've used those ultrasonic cat deterrent devices before, and they seem to work. The only problem is if the sensor area covers an area through which you repeatedly walk, then the batteries run down very quickly. :-\
Probably with more careful siting, the batteries would last longer. I believe some also come with a main adaptor if you have a source of nearby (safe) electricity.
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Thank you both.
How far does the sensor reach?
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I have the same problem. There is no solution. A cat's got to do what a cat's got to do. I tried the ultrasound device. The cats ignored it but it annoyed the hell out of my wife (she has very sensitive hearing). Perhaps try draping an additional (sacrificial) piece of plastic over the tunnel?
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Having just spent an hour this morning on a disgusting job clearing up after all the neighbourhood's cats who use my garden as a toilet (and there are many!) a 2.2 rifle would seem very appropriate >:(
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Now Now David, that's bold talk, you can't do that to the nice pussycats. ;D :P ;D :P
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Having just spent an hour this morning on a disgusting job clearing up after all the neighbourhood's cats who use my garden as a toilet (and there are many!) a 2.2 rifle would seem very appropriate >:(
A Kalashnikov would be more effective.
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;D ;D ;D
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;D ;D ;D and with apologies to all cat lovers but it really gets me down.
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My two cat used to run along the tunnel. I put a small border either side and planted a griselinia hedge along the full length. They stopped almost immediately, why, I don't know, coincidence ? possibly. but it worked.
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;D ;D ;D and with apologies to all cat lovers but it really gets me down.
I wonder if the cat lovers in your neighbourhood ever apologise to you? If it is like mine, I doubt it. Cat lovers think it is funny.
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I wonder if the cat lovers in your neighbourhood ever apologise to you? If it is like mine, I doubt it. Cat lovers think it is funny.
You're spot on Gerry, the ones I've had a go at just laughed at me. They are the ones who get a surreptitious spadeful dumped in their garden. Mrs N. cringes!
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A low single-strand electric fence a kitty-tail height is very effective - one shock and you never see them again...
Another partly successful strategy is to drape the greenhouse in shade/hail cloth to give them a better purchase when they are scrambling up - there is still some damage to the plastic, but the cloth takes most of the strain.
I love cats, but not some of their annoying habits and have learnt to put up with a little bit of damage here and there; it's their wholesale destruction of small, innocent wriggly creatures that drives me wild with anger!
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Ralph
I had the same idea:putting a layer of sacrificial plastic in top .The problem is that there must be a gap between the two layers of 1'' otherwise the claws 'll pierce them both.How to do it?It must be "stormproof"!
Rogan
Can you give us a little more information about the electric fence please?Is it the same as the one used for cattle?Or is it a less powerful version of it?
David
Shame on you.All that free organic concentrate manure and you are complaining!!!!
Ask your neighbours to do what I did:as my cat used to use my sandbeds as loo,I made him his own small one and trained him to use that one only.The other cats then want to put their smell on top of his and...nearly no more problems in the garden!
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David
Shame on you.All that free organic concentrate manure and you are complaining!!!!.....
Not to mention the free toxoplasmosis.
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Oh dear, oh dear! Cats do divide opinion, don't they? As the servant of two of the little darlings, I have to declare an interest. But, as mentioned above, they can be trained to go elsewhere. Hey ho, time for a nap.....