Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So if working out all the stressors for Annie in the house weren't enough, we suddenly have a neighborhood cat peeing right outside our bedroom window. We had the windows open last night and Annie has been a gibbering idiot bundle of nerves huddled in the bedroom all morning. Stink is stalking the house, looking for the intruder.

So after a web search, I went out and spread some eucaluptus spearmint bath salts under the window. We'll see if that keeps them away the next few days....

Other suggestions were cats don't like mint and marigolds. I know there are a couple of gardeners out there - has anyone had problems with cats in their marigolds? I'd hate to buy a flat only to find cats love them.

Any one have experience growing mint? Big Scary Man might object to flowers - if it can't be run over by the mower, he isn't much interested, so mint might be easier. What in your gardens has been ignored by stray cats?

I would try the marigold, Elizabeth, as I've heard that it repells many animals as well as insects. We don't really have a cat problem around here so I don't know if it works though.

As for the mint, I would definitely advise against that!! Not knowing any better, a few years ago I planted one measly little spearmint plant in my herb garden. That was a big mistake. The first year it grew nicely and looked so pretty, adding much to the appearance and fragrance of the herb garden. The next year it had spread and was choking out the other herbs by the end of the season. The more I pulled it out, the more it spread. Year three, it was sheer terror. It was choking out everything in that small garden and now moving into the flower garden and into the grass as well. I tried many methods to get rid of it but nothing seemed to work. It was spreading everywhere! I finally killed it off with Roundup. This, of course, killed the adjoining grass and flowers, however it did get rid of the dreaded mint. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER PLANT MINT! I do believe that you could safely set out a few pots of mints though, without planting. I don't think that I ever would after my horrible bad experience with it.

I really think that the marigolds would work as I've heard it recommended many times for keeping out pests.
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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

How wonderful to do nothing and then rest afterwards. Meow!

Yikes on the attack of the killer mint story... I had no idea it spread like that!

I do know deer don't like marigolds and many plant them as a safe repellent.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Ruby,

We must have shared the same fate with one little mint plant. It took me 4 years to get rid of it all. Anyone that mentions mint around here gets my speech of why mint is not allowed anywhere in the 5 acres we own.
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Boris's Human, Pam

I've heard that cats don't like citrus and if you scatter orange peels or lemon peels around a garden it can also help keep out unwanted felines.

And then there is alwasy dried coyote urine. I kid you not..go to google.com and type in quotes "dried coyote urine" and you will get a host of products that may help with this problem.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

And then there is alwasy dried coyote urine
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Who ever thunk?....I did do a little reading on urine, but since it reportedly gives off a bad odor, I'm going to skip it. Not only is the litterbo - er, garden, right under our bedroom window, but the neighbor's house is cockeyed on a corner lot so they are affected too. We are lucky enough to have really good neighbors, I'd like to keep it that way.

The bedroom stunk so much last night all three girls slept in the living room. That never happens. Around 3 am there was a cat fight outside - Stink came flying in like she was going to kick butt and take names. (I had a fleeting vision of a cat in spandex tights and billowing cape) Annie spent her morning stressed and yowling.

Now lemon and lime peels I can do....

Now lemon and lime peels I can do....

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How about picking up a bottle of Lemon or Lime juice (RealLemon/RealLime) from the grocery store and dilute it a little with water in a spray bottle and mist the grassy area in the evenings (as well as lay peel down)...
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER PLANT MINT!
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Okay! No mint.

I'm sharing a piece from my favorite cat artist - she also gardens. I've wanted this one for awhile, but it seems you've lived it (hope this link works)

http://www.susansturgill.com/item_detail.asp?i=114&Prod=5983