For as tired as I am today , I had an inspiring idea !
We always have problems with our neighbor's cats using our garden as their litterbox (oh, joy). Lately I've been going to Starbucks and getting the big bags of their used coffee grounds - free - and adding them to my compost. I had the idea to spread the grounds out all along the ground near the fence where the cats hop over... it smells strongly of coffee and I'm hoping it'll keep the cats away.
Has anyone tried this before? I'm hoping it'll work, at least for a while. I can keep going back to Starbucks and getting as many bags of grounds as I want
Andi
Deterring cats with coffee grounds?
Moderator: Chris_W
- doublemom2
- Posts: 3918
- Joined: Oct 17, 2001 8:00 pm
- USDA Zone: 8
- Location: WA State zone 8
Deterring cats with coffee grounds?
Andi
Discover Wildlife... Have Twins!!!
Discover Wildlife... Have Twins!!!
- Old earth dog
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- Location: St. Louis Mo zone 6 bordered on 5
- doublemom2
- Posts: 3918
- Joined: Oct 17, 2001 8:00 pm
- USDA Zone: 8
- Location: WA State zone 8
- Old earth dog
- Posts: 7003
- Joined: Aug 31, 2002 8:00 pm
- Location: St. Louis Mo zone 6 bordered on 5
Hi Andi. If the coffee grounds don't work (and who can beat free?), try one of the other scents that are supposed to repel cats.
You are not alone judging from this website: http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/info/keepingout.htm
They say:
For protecting gardens or flower beds, the herb rue is often mentioned as a good deterrent, either planted or sprinkled in its dry form. Other suggested items for garden areas include orange and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus smells), cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and mustard oil.
You are not alone judging from this website: http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/info/keepingout.htm
They say:
For protecting gardens or flower beds, the herb rue is often mentioned as a good deterrent, either planted or sprinkled in its dry form. Other suggested items for garden areas include orange and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus smells), cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and mustard oil.
jd in nh
janet's list
It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others. --John Andrew Holmes
janet's list
It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others. --John Andrew Holmes
- doublemom2
- Posts: 3918
- Joined: Oct 17, 2001 8:00 pm
- USDA Zone: 8
- Location: WA State zone 8
Thanks Janet - If the herb rue is the same as thalictrum (meadow rue), I have a huge one planted right at the spot where they jump the fence, and they don't seem to mind it at all. I think I'll stick with coffee grounds for now since it's free and good for the soil, and though I don't drink coffee I do like the smell fo the grounds.
Andi
Andi
Andi
Discover Wildlife... Have Twins!!!
Discover Wildlife... Have Twins!!!
The herb is a different plant (ruta gaveolens). Good luck with the coffee grounds and be sure to let us know if it works!!
jd in nh
janet's list
It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others. --John Andrew Holmes
janet's list
It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others. --John Andrew Holmes