Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: mark smyth on September 13, 2007, 03:02:40 PM
-
Since I've removed my bedding to make way for Colchicums I have been plagued by cats using the beds as a toilet. Is there anything that they dont like?
-
It is a galloping nuisance, Mark, and no mistake. Easiest thing is to cover area with chicken wire.
-
I think we've been here before!
-
Love 'em!
We live in a 'cat' village where many of us keep cats and it is only very occasionally that we have problems with them damaging beds or plants.
-
Since I've removed my bedding to make way for Colchicums I have been plagued by cats using the beds as a toilet. Is there anything that they dont like?
2.2 rifles??
dried tea bags soaked in Albus Oil
angry old Yorkshiremen shouting at them
" " " throwing stones at them
pill bottles filled with strong bleach buried in the soil in ares where they sniff and then ----
etc etc etc
Yup, we've been here before.
-
1 Stick some Holly sprigs around the area
2 Get your own custom built litter tray
3 Put a cat basket in the greenhouse (A bit of old shade netting on sunny space in your plunge will do)
4 Just trim the bedding to the ground, don't pull it out which loosens the surface
know what you mean though, having the same problem, will let you know how the holly thing works!
-
Heavy application of cayenne pepper works but you have to reapply it following rain.
-
They say lion s**t works wonders. Make friends with the staff of your nearest zoo, perhaps.
-
Should have added that I want the neighbours cat to be resident here - keeps the mice off my crocuses :) :) :)
-
At least Cats do not dig up and devour my crocuses and corydalises and...
They devour the devourers. ;D
Wish I had some
Göte
-
You need a Burmese cat Göte. They will eat anything up to the size of a rabbit and only leave the anal sphincter!! :P
-
You need a Burmese cat Göte. They will eat anything up to the size of a rabbit and only leave the anal sphincter!! :P
Details, details - only from a biology (?) teacher right?! ;) Loved your snake though... :)
Here's Spicey showing off the size of her rotten lizzard-eatin' mouth - I love 'em but it's a great pity they're such destroyers of biodiversity.
-
Rogan's Spicey reminds me very much of our late cat Nicky. She was a stray that Rob rescued from freezing to death one cold winter's night when she was about a year old. The first summer I discovered what a superb hunter she was - not only bits of mice ended up on our doormat, but also birds. When she started taking babies from nests it was the last straw. I bought a harness and leash, walked her and parked her nearby while I worked in the garden. She didn't like it but hadn't much choice. Then, at night, I let her out on her own, making sure she was in the house by dawn. Sometimes this meant walking around at 5:30 in the morning banging a spoon in her food dish to get her running to me. I knew I was taking a chance, as we have great horned owls here in the summer and they will take cats. However, we have a lot of wonderful birds in the garden, including hummingbirds, white throated sparrows, and vireos, and it was the only way for both Nicky and me to retain our sanity without sacrificing the birds. She made it through four summers, doing a great job at keeping the mouse population down, and then late last September met her nemesis. I hope it was quick.
Sharon
-
Poor pussy :'( But such is life - and death - for wild things. She had a good life while it lasted. And I imagine having the great horned owls at all, would be some compensation for the loss of Nicky.
-
Lovely cat Rogan. Yes I am a biology teacher and I could tell you why 99% of tortoiseshell cats are female.
-
listening! ...
-
yes, tell us, and also why so many white cats ( and Dalmation Dogs) are deaf, please.
-
Maggi but only those with at least one blue eye.
For the cat I'll say it's sex linked and males carry the gene without showing it.
I used to breed small Australian parakeets, not budgies, and had to learn genetics.
-
Now you've frightened him away ::) or is he preparing an essay for us? ;)
-
Anthony will surely return, Rogan... I have heard his middle name is MacArthur ::) ;)
Cats are surely a pest in most gardens and we have serious issues with them regarding our garden birds but when they are as cute as these kittens, it would take a hard heart not to love them:
[attachthumb=1]
[attachthumb=2]
These adorable brothers, yes, they are two individual kittens, though VERY alike, are the latest additions to the family of Rod and Jane Leeds ....
beautiful cats, aren't they? I think that they are colourpoint British Shorthair cats....but I'm no expert.
-
Anthony
Do I want to have sphincters all over the place???? ;D
Göte
-
Göte, I knew there was a down side to that. ;)
Spot with sex linked Mark. Black (B) and ginger (G) alleles (forms of a single gene) are on the X chromosome. Females are XX and males XY. XBXB = black female; XGXG = ginger female; XBXG = tortoiseshell female; XBY = black Tom; XGY = ginger Tom. The odd tortoiseshell Tom is XBXGY due to a mutation in which the cat has XXY (Klinefelter's syndrome in humans - given to parents in a blue blanket but the extra X expresses itself at puberty).
-
Göte, I knew there was a down side to that. ;)
Spot with sex linked Mark. Black (B) and ginger (G) alleles (forms of a single gene) are on the X chromosome. Females are XX and males XY. XBXB = black female; XGXG = ginger female; XBXG = tortoiseshell female; XBY = black Tom; XGY = ginger Tom. The odd tortoiseshell Tom is XBXGY due to a mutation in which the cat has XXY (Klinefelter's syndrome in humans - you, given to parents in a blue blanket but the extra X expresses itself at puberty).
Well that explains it all!! ??? ??? ??? I had no idea.
-
Cat/s did lots of damage in my garden last night. It's so annoying. I'm considering trapping them and taking them away for a long drive. Horrible but I cant put up with this through to next Summer
-
2.2 rifle and a spade! ;)
-
Mark, have you considered electronic cat scarers? I used them to try to keep the badger out, which didn't work, but I found that cats really don't like them. You know the sort of thing - emits a human-inaudible high pitched screech that cats can hear and hate. In a small enclosed garden area they can be quite effective. You can get mains-powered one that pump out the noise constantly, or battery ones that go on when they detect movement. Try googling cat scarers (maybe + electronic) and you should find a mail order supplier. Or try some of the garden supplies sites.
-
David, you'll get us all arrested! Anyway, if you can get close enough, the spade will suffice. ::)
-
Oooooooo, you are cruel ;D
It's not really the cat's fault is it, more the owners? I think it was Martin who, when we last aired this subject, had trained his cat to go and do ait's natural functions in a place that he wanted it to go in rather than one that took the fancy of the cat?
-
Quite so, the poor cat is only doin' what comes naturally... but if dog owners let their animal "do what comes naturally" they'd be arrested for sheep worrying and the dogs shot......we don't consider it acceptable for pet dogs to eat cats and children, why should cats be allowed to eat birds and do all their irritating stuff? Cats in a country area are one thing, in a twn they are a flipping nuisance... and don't get me started on them in the likes of far-flung islands etc where they have been introduced to the utter destruction of native wildlife. >:( :( >:(
I know lots of perfectly happy cats who are house cats who spend time oudoors with their owner, go for a walk etc and who never mangle a single garden bird... admittedly that means they aren't eat mangling any pests either, but what the hell...I'd rather deal with those pests and enjoy the birds.
Tummy rumbling so off to hunt down plate of caulifower cheese for lunch, rant over... meantime.
-
Dogs aren't allowed to chase sheep, chase birds, run through other peoples gardens, crap on the footpath without the owner cleaning it up'....... But they do.
Most dog owners are nice, normal human beings. Then there are the others.
For non cat people Martin's suggestion of the electronic scarer is a good one. For keeping selected cats out a powerful water pistol is a possible alternative.
-
Mark,
Try planting some of the hardy Cacti in amongst other plants.
Derek
-
The best one to keep cats away is to get one Yourself and then have it traind to do the digging in right places.
We had a bell on the cat so that the birds would have a chance. That also gave the mice a chance so it is an even balance versus good and evil.
I love cats but I prefare when they are castrated so that they do not piss on everything.
Joakim
-
Mark,
Try planting some of the hardy Cacti in amongst other plants.
Derek
Don't you mean catci? :)
-
Actually, a good high-powered hosing a couple of times generally gives the cat a message of "nobody here loves me." But I like the bell idea too. Then you could name the cat Douglas.
-
I knew Zebedee, he ate grass! Who is Douglas.
-
Don't you mean catci? :)
Lesley,
Are you sure we aren't related? That is so disturbingly the type of comment I'd make!! ::) I'm not sure whether I am complimenting you, unfortunately!! :o
;D
-
One of your own David, Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus, of that great and only occasionally glorious clan from which, in part, I am descended. He was nicknamed Bell-the-Cat for reasons which I'll leave you to research. :D Mid to late 16th century I should think.
-
Suggest you all go on Amazon and seek out "100 hundred uses of a dead cat". Won't give you any ideas on how to get rid of them, but a great source of evil thoughts. 8) :P
-
Actually, a good high-powered hosing a couple of times generally gives the cat a message of "nobody here loves me." But I like the bell idea too. Then you could name the cat Douglas.
Simple me! I just thought if he had a bell he would have dug less!! ::) ::) ::)
-
That's a super book Anthony. I have it. Birthday present some years ago from a dog lover.
-
It is a fun book, I have bought several over the years... given them all to cat-lovers, of course 8)
-
grrrrr
-
Mark,
Sorry for leaving cats and their criminal behaviour -
would you please tell me the brand and source of your labels, never seen black ones here in Germany.
Gerd
-
I used to use labels from Label Plant but their business burnt down. The manager then opened The Essentials Company http://www.theessentialscompany.co.uk/ (http://www.theessentialscompany.co.uk/). The labels are 8 inch with most pushed in to the ground. They are marked using a paint marker or paint pen also supplied by them
-
I once had a paint pen, for black on a white label. Excellent in the permanent department, poor in a leaky way :-\
-
Had that problem too - not personally. Edding 780s are supposed to be much better and so far, after buying some, no problems
-
I used to use labels from Label Plant but their business burnt down. The manager then opened The Essentials Company http://www.theessentialscompany.co.uk/ (http://www.theessentialscompany.co.uk/). The labels are 8 inch with most pushed in to the ground. They are marked using a paint marker or paint pen also supplied by them
Mark,
Thank you very much. I'll trie to find these here.
Gerd
-
Today I asked my neighbour if she would her cat's crap back. She "he doesnt does he?" and said no thanks but gave me permission to do what ever it takes to stop the cat digging in my garden. YES!
-
A colleague of mine was 60 on Friday. His street cred went sky high with the pupils in his previous school when his doberman spotted a cat in the school playground and 'shredded' it. Apparently it accounted for 6 other cats that had the misfortune venture into his garden. ???
-
So, your friend is nearing retirement age, so I'm guessing that he is not hiring out this dobermann for peanuts..... what the heck, can you pass on his address? ???
-
but gave me permission to do what ever it takes to stop the cat digging in my garden. YES!
Does this include injury with intent to kill? Or straight out murder?
-
Lesley,
One of your own David, Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus, of that great and only occasionally glorious clan from which, in part, I am descended. He was nicknamed Bell-the-Cat for reasons which I'll leave you to research. :D Mid to late 16th century I should think.
The exploits of your forebear are chronicled in the book "The Lion of the North " by John Prebble (published by Penguin) including the episode where he earned his nickname. You possibly are already aware of this!
-
all this killings etc aside I have to do something about the problem. The digging and holes this morning is unbelievable and really getting me down. The worst is one that last last crapped in a trough
-
Seriously Mark, I'd try an electronic cat scarer, preferably a mains-powered one (or two) that's on all the time. They really don't like them and eventually they should start to use some other place where they're not subjected to the 'noise'. They're not cheap but it's worth it to solve the problem. Once they get out of the habit of using your garden, they're more likely to go elsewhere (cats are creatures of habit - also lazy little sods) and you can switch off until the problem arises again.
-
I'll go to B&Q today after work
-
The exploits of your forebear are chronicled in the book "The Lion of the North " by John Prebble (published by Penguin) including the episode where he earned his nickname. You possibly are already aware of this!
Thanks David. That's not a book I've come across so I'll start looking. Not that I'm likely to learn anything good. There were some great and honourable men among them but others were brutal, ruthless and utterly corrupt.
-
I myself am very fond of all cats ! I have two myself and am hoping to get just one more!
They are adorable however they totally annoy me too in the garden :-\ >:(
I had to put slates all round the adge of my borders to stop them from pooing there, i allso spray them with the hose when i can to deter them, other effective things to use are any citrus peelings, or chopped up lime, orange or lemon and sliced onion, they HATE the smell.
you can also try poking sticks into the ground so they cant get near your plants.
If possible you could keep a small area of soil that you allways dig over and keep fluffed up, the cats will use that instead of your planted bits, not ideal but better than loosing plants to the fluffy critters! ;D
Good luck :)
-
Ian has been on the BBC radio Scotland Radio this morning on the Fred Macauley show... he's usually there talking about some gardening subject, but today it was about CATS! As much about the creatures they kill as about the effect they have in the garden, fouling etc! Earlier in the show, the guest was Jackie Collins, famous for her exensive wardrobe of leopard print clothes... interesting to hear that while she adores BIG cats and hence her fashion preferences for cat prints, she isn't keen on little domestic cats and prefers Labradors!
-
I prefer a Lab too especially a black one
-
Ian has been on the BBC radio Scotland Radio this morning on the Fred Macauley show... he's usually there talking about some gardening subject, but today it was about CATS! As much about the creatures they kill as about the effect they have in the garden, fouling etc! Earlier in the show, the guest was Jackie Collins, famous for her exensive wardrobe of leopard print clothes... interesting to hear that while she adores BIG cats and hence her fashion preferences for cat prints, she isn't keen on little domestic cats and prefers Labradors!
I like Fred Macauley he's a very funny man. I thought Jackie Collins ate men for breakfast, you move in interesting circles Ian ;D
-
You'd move that way too, David, if you had a woman like that in leopardskin circling you! :o
-
You'd move that way too, David, if you had a woman like that in leopardskin :ocircling you!
She'd need to give me a fortnight's notice! :o
-
If you want to get rid of cats, get yourself one of these. When this bird appears, the cats do a runner !
-
great and lucky shot
-
A woman in leopard skin circling me - I'd give her half an hour to stop that ;)
-
David if your memory is anything like mine you would have forgotten what you were thinking about after a fortnight.
Derek
-
Has anyone tried the electric fences used to keep cows in? I should think cats dislike them utterly but will not be killed.
Göte
-
Mmm? Electric stock fencing? Sounds tempting but wouldn't the cats just jump over it?
-
not if it is strong enough to kill them ::)
-
I have no idea whether the cats would jump or not but I think that it is a fair chance that they would touch it and then give it a very wide berth. I have no cat myself so I am no expert on cat psychology ;D
I have all sorts of animals visiting the premises including the occasional cat but the cats have never damaged anything at all - maybe because they have sufficient space to roam?
Saturday night we had -11°C Then 15cm of snow. Spring is, however, supposed to be underway.
Our meterologists seems to say that by definition we had Autumn until Easter then a very brief Winter ???
Göte
PS
They define winter as mean temperature under 0°C for a week.