As much as we love our dogs and cats, there’s nothing more frustrating than watching them lay across, or dig in, newly planted flower beds. It seems that new plants and flowers, and the freshly dug ground around them, are like a magnet to our furry friends. And as any gardener knows, once plants are crushed, or the soil around them has been dug up, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to repair the damage. Here are a few things you can do to keep pets out of gardens and flower beds.
Keep pets out of gardens and flower beds
Deter digging in cats – Cats have a natural instinct to cover their feces, so if your cat is using the flower bed or garden as a litter box, you have probably noticed dug up bulbs or plants scattered around. One way to keep cats out of flower beds is to provide them with an outdoor sandbox all their own. Cats will mark the box with their scent and, in time, will prefer it to any other dirt.
Deter digging in dogs – A dog can’t dig in a place it can’t get to. Low fencing can be used to block the entryway to a flower bed or garden. Chicken wire is an inexpensive option that will keep dogs, cats, and other burrowing critters from getting into the gardens.
Cover their scent – One reason dogs and cats continue digging garden soil is that they are returning to their scent. One way to combat this is to use a urine eliminator spray. This product can be found at any pet store for under $ 5.00. Be sure to look for an enzyme based product, as they are most effective at removing urine scent.
Repel cats with citrus – Cats hate the smell of citrus and will avoid it at all costs. To keep cats out of flower beds, try placing citrus peels in and around the flower beds and gardens. Lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit peels work great for this purpose.
Scare pets away – If nothing else works, motion activated sprinklers will most definitely do the trick, although it is a costly alternative. These sprinklers work by automatically activating when motion is detected, thereby soaking the cat or dog. It won’t take long for the animal to learn to stay out of this area.
Make it uncomfortable – If the ground is soft and comfortable, of course your pet will want to lay in it. But, if you can make it prickly and uninviting, they’ll find somewhere else to lie down. Plant low-lying bushes, such as Juniper, that feel sharp to the touch, and grow thick and low to cover loose soil. Insert wood stakes every few inches to make for a prickly terrain.
Ultrasonic pet deterrent – Another way to keep pets out of flowers beds and gardens is with a high-frequency device designed for animal deterrence. There are many different styles to choose from, ranging from remote activated devices, to motion sensor units. For the yard, we recommend a unit that can be staked into or near the garden that will activate on its own when movement is sensed. It emits a piercing high frequency sound that only pets can hear. The loud noise will frighten away pets, but not be a nuisance to neighbors.
More from Jennifer Wagner:
How to make a cactus garden
Keep stray cats away from your house
Kill indoor bugs without pesticides
Source:
Personal knowledge
