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Garden Pests (Cat or Dog variety)
Niceguy Myeye
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, I started planting a small garden. I don't have much experience in it, but figured it'd be fun to try. Everything was going ok, sure I made some mistakes, but nothing unpleasant happened. Last weekend, I put down some pine bark mulch so help stay soil erosion.
That's when it started happening.
The day after I put down the mulch, I noticed one of my jalapeno plants wasn't there anymore. Thinking I was a clumsy oaf and accidentally killed it, I went to replant another one. Digging up where the plant was located, I found that something had dug up the plant, placed some dookie in the hole and then covered it back up.
This past week, when I go to check on the garden, I have been noticing things, well more deposits given to me by this horrible creature. Some of them weren't even covered back up. However, my last Jalapeno plant was dug up this morning by that jerk.
From the size of these turds, I'd guess the animal is a dog or a cat. There are a few feral cats running around my neighborhood, or it could be a neighbor's dog or cat or whatnot. I don't want to poison this thing because it's probably a cat or a dog.
Currently, the only think I can really think of to deal with this unseen creature of Stygian foetor is making a fence, thus barring it entry to the garden's plane of existence.
Is there an easier way to deal with this than to build a fence or a chicken wire enclosure?
I really don't want to do that. And, this kind of stuff is really making me question why I planted this garden anyways.
That's when it started happening.
The day after I put down the mulch, I noticed one of my jalapeno plants wasn't there anymore. Thinking I was a clumsy oaf and accidentally killed it, I went to replant another one. Digging up where the plant was located, I found that something had dug up the plant, placed some dookie in the hole and then covered it back up.
This past week, when I go to check on the garden, I have been noticing things, well more deposits given to me by this horrible creature. Some of them weren't even covered back up. However, my last Jalapeno plant was dug up this morning by that jerk.
From the size of these turds, I'd guess the animal is a dog or a cat. There are a few feral cats running around my neighborhood, or it could be a neighbor's dog or cat or whatnot. I don't want to poison this thing because it's probably a cat or a dog.
Currently, the only think I can really think of to deal with this unseen creature of Stygian foetor is making a fence, thus barring it entry to the garden's plane of existence.
Is there an easier way to deal with this than to build a fence or a chicken wire enclosure?
I really don't want to do that. And, this kind of stuff is really making me question why I planted this garden anyways.
Niceguy Myeye on
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I think planting marigolds is supposed to work, too, because they smell. But I think they might be mildly toxic to kitties so you might want to check on that.
it will also keep pest birds like crows and magpies away if those bother you as well.
just remember to turn it off when you walk by it, i've soaked myself a few times when I've forgotten with mine.
Thank you, Rubacava!
Also:
Will keep cats out. Also squirrels, skunks, and dogs if they're digging or sniffing around. Doesn't really do shit if they're just running through the plants, but that's what a fence is for. Organic, doesn't leech into the soil, isn't expensive, and even though it's piperine and Capsaicin (black pepper and hot chili pepper extract) it doesn't reek like pepper spray or anything. Hell, smells like good seasoning if you like the stuff. Use it on my houseplants to keep my bastard cat outta them, and don't even notice the day after application.
Edit: Apparently that's a picture of either an old bottle and they've changed recipes or something, but the container is still blue, has dog and cat on it, and is by Havaheart. And the aforementioned ingredients are the ones I see currently used.
3DS FC: 4699-5714-8940 Playing Pokemon, add me! Ho, SATAN!
Which I suppose also distracts him from the plants.
The best solution I can think if is to rent a cat trap from the local animal shelter or pound. It gets the animals off the streets, and out your garden.
You may as well put out some poison, cause either way the cat is gonna die.
I fifth the use of some irritant to keep it away. At least until the plants are established.
Is cat poop good fertilizer? I don't know if it makes a difference what with them being carnivores an all.
Aha, here we go, a link via Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sonic-cat-repeller-scarer-deterrent/dp/B001AQ7U9W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=garden&qid=1244249818&sr=8-2
TO ANY MOD THIS IS AN AIR RIFLE, NO POWDER, NO PRIMER, LESS THEN LETHAL.
I'd advise against shooting an animal with any kind of projectile. Not only is it disgusting, but if these alleged cats are an alleged someone's alleged pets, at best you might get an angry knock at your door. At worst, some kind of legal penalty for animal cruelty. Terrible suggestion even from a practical standpoint, unless you're into hiding by your garden all day waiting for the wee beastie to show itself.
Thank you, Rubacava!
I'd suggest fencing in your garden. That'll protect against rabbits too, and as far as I know there's no safe and reliable chemical deterrent for rabbits. It doesn't have to be super elaborate, just get some 3' wooden stakes and staple up some chicken wire.
edit: or, if it is a cat (sure sounds like it, I don't know of any other suburban animals that bury their poo) you could try covering loose dirt with chicken wire. Stake it down with horseshoe-shaped bits of clotheshanger wire. If the cat can't dig it'll likely just move on.