Hey everyone! I previously used mulch around my trees and holly bushes, but it turns out that stray cats have been using it as a litterbox, which has led to some pretty messy landscaping. I've tried various repellents and even some home remedies like cayenne pepper and coyote pee, but nothing seems to work. I'm looking for options that aren't mulch to put around my mature oak tree and holly bushes, ideally something that cats can't mess with. Any suggestions?
2 Answers
I’ve had some success with those motion sensor devices that emit high-pitched sounds. They can scare off cats, but you might want to be cautious as they can also repel dogs and younger kids hanging around!
Try using river stones instead! They’re about 2-3 inches round and too heavy for cats to move, which means they can't bury anything in them. I’ve found them to be pretty effective!
I agree! I've tried so many repellents too, nothing worked. The stones are probably your best bet if you want to avoid mulch.
Just a heads up though, putting stones on top of tree roots isn't always the best idea. They can heat up and stress the tree. Maybe consider mixing in some strategies to keep the cats away while using mulch instead!