Can anyone offer advice on how to keep stray cats out of a flower bed?

my bed does not contain flowers, but decorative shrubs and bushes. everyday i clean up cat mess and the next day it is right back in the same spot! I do not want to harm the animals i just want them out of my flower bed any humane suggestions?? thanks

Can anyone offer advice on how to keep stray cats out of a flower bed?
This modern take on the trusty scarecrow could bring some relief.





The ScareCrow is basically a sprinkler with a built-in motion detector that connects to a garden hose and can be set up anywhere on your property you want protected from the wildlife. When the motion sensor detects an animal it will fire a startling burst of water back and forth for a few seconds scaring off the intruder and hopefully convinces them to never return. The ScareCrow uses only about 2-3 cups of water per deterrence and will protect and cover an area of about 1200 sq. ft. It operates for up to 6 months on a single 9-volt battery and is currently available for about $80.
Reply:Use a reward and deter approach. In one corner of the property, plant lots of catnip to encourage cats to leave the rest of the garden along and give them a place to mark as their territory. In the "no-go" zones, scatter lots of thorny branches: Find a monkey puzzle tree or a (related) bunya-bunya tree, and scatter their branches thickly around the no go areas. Verythorny rose branches will do the job too. But don't use rose branches near rose bushes, as it may encourage disease near the roses (wont affect other shrubs though).
Reply:I was going to suggest moth balls just as someone else did. My mom used to use them with our cat for the indoor plants (not the brightest cat on the planet - preferred plant pots over his litter box...). anyway, that did work for the indoor plants. Vinegar is also a deterrent to cats. Perhaps you could get some rubber tubing, cut it in half and surround your garden with it (at least in the area that the cat defecates). That might be enough to deter the neighbours' cat.





Cheers! Good luck!





EDIT - I just read about that scarecrow thing - sounds interesting! I would definitely try that if the other cheaper solutions don't work!
Reply:i have 5 cats myself. apparently using a big plastic bottle half filled with water scares them away. it doesnt. cats sniff before they do anything, so using lemon or like a tangy smelling substance in or around ur beds should deter them. nothing except a dog will 'scare' cats away, they are far more confident and curious than ppl think. definately do not feed them or leave anything out for them to eat/drink near the beds as this will just encourage them to come.
Reply:You will have to stake out the flower bed. When kitty get near, turn on the sprinkler. This is also a good time to get out the ol' Supersoaker.





Visit PetSmart and see what kind of cat repellant they carry. Not as fun as soaking a cat, but easier on your free time.
Reply:AMONIA WORKS .. will act as a repellent and cats will hate it... used it outdoors near garden in lil butter container, and the cats keep trying to knock it over











D.
Reply:yes sprinkel pepper in the flower beds





hope it helps cos i had the same problem and it worked for me :)
Reply:moth balls sometimes do the trick! just spread some around the area and see if that takes care of the problem! good luck!
Reply:A 12 guage works good. Naw...just kidding. I love animals, they are delicious!
Reply:i am not sure if it will work for you but it works for me , try putting vinegar around the bed..