I've been turning my garden into a wildlife haven, complete with a pond, but I've got a problem: neighborhood cats can slip through a small gap at the bottom of my gate. It's about 5 inches wide, which I left for small critters like hedgehogs and frogs to come in, but it's also an open invitation for the cats. I'm worried they're scaring away any wildlife or worse, hunting them. My garden is securely fenced, but the cats prefer this gap for easy access. What are some effective ways to deter these cats while still allowing small animals through?
3 Answers
I've had good luck using clippings from wild roses to keep cats away. You could frame that gap with some prickly branches, it's a natural deterrent! It’s inexpensive if you have access to rose bushes. Worth a try, right?
One option is to install roller bars on top of your fences. They make it tricky for cats to climb over. For that gap you have, consider designing a cornered tunnel to make it harder for them to get through. Also, keep your bird feeders high and out of reach, and plant dense, prickly bushes for cover. Just a thought, when you found the dead magpie, do you know if it was injured? That could provide some clues to what’s going on in your garden.
I haven't built a hedgehog feeding station yet, but I plan to. I might need to modify that tunnel idea too since the gate is raised. It's definitely a work in progress, but I’ll see how I can make it work!
Have you considered speaking to your neighbors about it? Maybe they can keep their cats inside or help figure something out together. It’s worth a shot!
That's a clever suggestion! I might try that out. If my mum has some rose clippings, I’ll definitely ask her for some.