David Domoney claims 70p method ‘effectively’ stops cats pooing in your garden

Gardens are attractive places for pets, such as cats, as it gives them plenty of places to explore.

While it is good for them, they can be a nuisance for gardeners who spend lots of time taking care of their lawns, plants and crops.

Keeping cats out of the garden completely is hard, but protecting plants and crops from cats pooing around them can be simple.

David claimed that the “best” solution is to stop the cats from getting into the garden at all. Cats are creatures of habit and usually enter and leave by the same spot. Gardeners should try observing where they come in.

If they are coming through a hole in the fence or hedge, this area should be blocked up.

If they are climbing over the fence, gardeners can attach string 10 to 15cm above the top of the fence, running along the panel.

The expert said: “This makes it hard for cats to balance on the fence panel. Or you can apply a grease like Vaseline to stop them using it.”

David claimed that one hack that actually proved to be “effective” for him was using tea bags in the garden to deter plants from pooing near plants.

He said: “One of the things that has worked effectively for me in the past is to save tea bags and spray them with a muscle heat spray, like Deep Heat.

“The tea leaves absorb the strong odour. Place them around the spot in the garden where the cats damage the plants.”

QVC’s gardening expert Richard Jackson also suggested using this method, but suggested covering them slightly with a sprinkling of soil to disguise them.” The scent on the tea bags should last for at least two weeks, even if it rains.

Tea bags are cheap to buy from local supermarkets as they retail for 70p at Sainsbury’s and 74p at Tesco. Muscle treatments like Deep Heat are slightly pricier as they retail for £3.50 at Tesco and £4 at Sainsbury’s.

David also suggested that anything that gives off “strong smells” can be used and cats “dislike” them.

He suggested: “Try putting lavender, rosemary and curry plants in your border. Some people also recommend using cut citrus peel – apparently, it smells too strong for the cat.

“Rubbing raw onion in places where cats frequent has been said to steer them away. Citronella is also said to be effective.”

Another thing David recommends is putting spiky things in the soil around the border.

He said: “Wooden skewers or prunings from spiky plants like roses may help as cats have sensitive paws.”