"but always a bit put off due to skepticism about whether it would
genuinely only affect the cats and not everything else (Squirrels, Birds
etc) as well. I know the claim is that it doesn't but still. "
Honestly, they do work and are set to a frequency only for cats. They do take time to work - it's not all of a sudden. So yes you might see a cat walk right in front of it. It doesn't hurt the cat, it's only uncomfortable and it takes a short while for cats to be put off by it and realise why.
For me, winter in particular, is a terrble time when my garden turns into one big cat toilet. The ground is barer and people are out in it less, so there is less disturbance. About eight cats use my garden and the latrine areas can be developed over months if not nixed. I put sonics out last year and this last winter there were no latrine areas; very little poo. Usually each spring I have the foul task of donning gloves and shovelling heaps of cats shit into bags before I can work the ground. But - no longer. The sonics work.
I would say that you need more than one. They work on a wedge shaped sonic area, so placing them against a fence is best, where cats can't get behind, and triangulating the deives will help all areas to be covered. Every three months or so I love the devices around a bit, so that leafage doesn't get in the way etc.
The RSPB offer a six month money back guarentee (no quibble. Check that out). So I would definately say to try it for a few months and send it back if no joy. Use the mains connected device if you can (rather than batteries). People who say it doesn't work are often not using it right.
I've just mentioned the cat shit in my polytunnel to our nearest cat owing neighbour. " Oh it wont be ours , he's 15 now and doesn't go out much. We've just got two kittens" God give me strength.
People who say it doesn't work are often not using it right.
A lot of domestic cats are deaf.
I didn't find them effective, I knew about the time factor and the fact some cats will sit and stare at them until they figure what is going on.
They simply did not keep cats out of the garden though, despite careful placement.
Contech scarecrows, now they really really work.
I still have the sonic devices in strategic positions and they give some cover in frosty weather when I can't use the scarecrows, but if anyone wants 'cat free' quickly, I really couldn't recommend anything but the scarecrows, perhaps some sonic devices where the scarecrows can't be used. The RSPB sonic devices are the only ones in my experience worth having.
I did look at water scarecrows, but you do need a tap in the right position to connect it to. And the cats in my garden like to creep through hedges, so not sure the water would reach them there.
I did look at water scarecrows, but you do need a tap in the right position to connect it to. And the cats in my garden like to creep through hedges, so not sure the water would reach them there.
Fortunately we have the water supply in the right position, though it does mean having hose pipes strewn all over the garden.
Identifying where they creep through hedges is a key thing. They have definite paths they follow and modifying their routine so it does not include your property is really the key thing.
We can't get a lot of coverage with the electronic sonic devices in the growing season as veg soon obscures the line of sight of the device. Scarecrows though sit higher and can point down paths cats will use.
I've never actually seen a cat hit by one, they just hate the sudden noise and movement, so once they trigger them a few times, they seem to keep well away from gardens that have them.
There really isn't a perfect solution for every situation though. It's why I feel so strongly that nobody should be in the situation where they have to spend money and time trying to solve a problem created by another person. Never has been and never will be about cats, it is all about irresponsible cat ownership.
Now now you might think this is crazy but the toy water guns for kids are on my next shopping list.. pump action and only cheap.. They squirt really good as I’ve seen kids having water fights with them 😂 So if Kitty wants a duel in our garden then it’s the pump action water gun next..
Now now you might think this is crazy but the toy water guns for kids are on my next shopping list.. pump action and only cheap.. They squirt really good as I’ve seen kids having water fights with them 😂 So if Kitty wants a duel in our garden then it’s the pump action water gun next..
Fine if you have nothing to do other than squirt cats 24/7
It doesn't work, tried it. They don't have the range and cats quickly learn that. They just stand staring at you in defiance and come back in when you are not there, well that was my experience with a huge pump one.
Cats may not like water but it doesn't stop them, the only real solution is getting the Pet Owners doing something about them. No one wants to fall out with neighbours but it really is blooming annoying, especially when you don't have pets yourself. Moving into a new neighbourhood the last thing I want is to upset my neighbours but the cats fouling is really annoying me and it's disgusting to clean up, I love my gardens, I'm more of a gardener now than I've ever been (time of life I guess) I just wish these cat owners would think what misery they cause to other people.
If you have any holly bushes would putting a bit of a holly mulch around where they poo and wee put them off? I am fed up with cat poo in our garden too, it's disgusting. I'm trying to give the garden an overhaul but I keep coming across cat poo and it makes me heave. We pruned our holly bush and DH shredded it and put it down in some areas. Hard to know if it's having an effect yet - except on pricking us humans!
Posts
" Oh it wont be ours , he's 15 now and doesn't go out much. We've just got two kittens"
God give me strength.
I didn't find them effective, I knew about the time factor and the fact some cats will sit and stare at them until they figure what is going on.
They simply did not keep cats out of the garden though, despite careful placement.
Contech scarecrows, now they really really work.
I still have the sonic devices in strategic positions and they give some cover in frosty weather when I can't use the scarecrows, but if anyone wants 'cat free' quickly, I really couldn't recommend anything but the scarecrows, perhaps some sonic devices where the scarecrows can't be used. The RSPB sonic devices are the only ones in my experience worth having.
Identifying where they creep through hedges is a key thing. They have definite paths they follow and modifying their routine so it does not include your property is really the key thing.
We can't get a lot of coverage with the electronic sonic devices in the growing season as veg soon obscures the line of sight of the device. Scarecrows though sit higher and can point down paths cats will use.
I've never actually seen a cat hit by one, they just hate the sudden noise and movement, so once they trigger them a few times, they seem to keep well away from gardens that have them.
There really isn't a perfect solution for every situation though. It's why I feel so strongly that nobody should be in the situation where they have to spend money and time trying to solve a problem created by another person. Never has been and never will be about cats, it is all about irresponsible cat ownership.
It doesn't work, tried it. They don't have the range and cats quickly learn that. They just stand staring at you in defiance and come back in when you are not there, well that was my experience with a huge pump one.
Moving into a new neighbourhood the last thing I want is to upset my neighbours but the cats fouling is really annoying me and it's disgusting to clean up, I love my gardens, I'm more of a gardener now than I've ever been (time of life I guess) I just wish these cat owners would think what misery they cause to other people.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...