How to stop fouling on bark chip

wendyedon49 · September 2023

Any help with how to stop cats fouling on bark chip please? have bought a safe anti fouling power which is supposed to stop cart dogs and wild life from digging and fouling - but it's not very effective and very expensive.

philippasmith2 · September 2023

I believe the most effective way is to use a Water Scarecrow but that would depend on your budget and the size of the area you want to protect.
There are numerous threads on the forum which attempt to deal with this problem so perhaps you could have a look at those and see if they will help.
Good luck

Fairygirl · September 2023

Almost impossible unfortunately. The water scarecrows are good, but siting them can be difficult, and as soon as frosts start, that's it, as they just freeze. I can only use them for about 6 months of the year.

KeenOnGreen · September 2023

As a dog owner, with lots of bark chips in our garden and allotment, I can tell you that you won't as @Fairygirl says.

Bark chips replicate perfectly the natural wild/woodland floor that dogs (and their Wolf ancestors) use to poo on. Cats like it even more, as they like to bury their poo. Dogs, and cats especially, don't generally like going to the toilet on hard surfaces, so bark chips are perfect.

With regard to wildlife, foxes and birds love to dig in bark chip, as they can find the worms that like to bury in bark chip, especially when it rots down to soil. Expecting them to stop digging in it, is like expecting them to stop looking for food.

Not the answer you want to hear, I'm afraid. Deterring cats/dogs/foxes from coming into your garden might be more successful, which means very high fences, which they also cannot tunnel underneath.

rowlandscastle444 · September 2023

I must admit that we have bark chippings at the front. I've not noticed any fouling there, even though there are cats, dogs and foxes around.
However, there is also a maturing pyracantha hedge, which I imagine none of the animals like. Other plants there too, which might restrict the access for animals. But I do dread putting my hand amongst the plants, and one day getting a rather smelly, messy handful.

Fairygirl · September 2023

I have all of that type of hedging around my garden - and blackthorn. I've got clippings from that in among the base of hedging and other plants. Doesn't stop them. They just sh*t on the grass instead.
I cut the grass the other day. A nice pile sitting in the middle of it when I opened the curtains the next morning. Persistent offenders simply won't be deterred easily.

How to stop fouling on bark chip

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