My Wishing Well Is Not a Litter Box!

Updated on May 11, 2010
D.S. asks from Fort Worth, TX
16 answers

I have a wishing well in my front yard. Obviously it is not a real well. The dirt in it is about a foot deep, and that part stands about 3 1/2 feet high. Over the winter the neighborhood cats seem to have turned it into their litter box. I cleaned it out about 6 weeks ago and planted my flowers in it. Well, the cats are back. In fact, I am not sure they ever actually gave it up. They keep jumping up there and digging into my flowers and leaving their own fertilizer.

Is there anyway I can get them to stay away from my well?

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

Put moth balls in it...they hate them and should stay away. My step mother used to do this for her house plants when she had a cat.
M.

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A.D.

answers from Dallas on

There are specific products out there to deter them. I've also heard simple landscape rocks like lava rocks might help too.

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T.P.

answers from Dallas on

Tons of great suggestions already - also try putting pine cones on top of the soil. The idea is to make it uncomfortable so use your imagination and put whatever you can find that is uncomfortable to step on . . .

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D.H.

answers from Dallas on

I've always heard moth balls will keep animals out of the garden but don't know if it will do any damage to your plants. I like the idea of the husband marking his territory! Funny!

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P.W.

answers from Dallas on

You might try sprinkleing cayanne pepper or red pepper flakes around and on the edges of it one sniff and it burns their noses .I had a neighbors cat that would scratch on my front door and I sprinkeled it around it and it worked great. Good Luck

A.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

Maybe you could find a spinkler with a very light spray (so it wouldn't over water) and leave it on often. It shouldn't take long for them to start avoiding your well and find another place.

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V.B.

answers from Dallas on

Open chicken wire cover and let the plants grow up through it.

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P.L.

answers from Dallas on

Replace your dirt-they will always come back to the place that has their scent. Replant your flowers, then put a layer of pebbles, rocks, marbles, whatever you want, just make sure it's a hard surface, on top of the soil. Sprinkle red pepper on top of the rocks and the cats will not come back.

A.G.

answers from Pocatello on

This is funny but we had a cat coming and using our small garden as her litter box so my hubby went out there at night and peed all around the garden to "mark" it as his territory haha but it worked! we haven't seen the cat in a while and there hasn't been any more poop in the garden. So tell your hubby to get out there and mark away! LOL

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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

Amonia will keep them away and Cayene Red Pepper sprinkled around your yard I would do both. Urine from their natural preditors which is Coyotte's will keep them away too. Good Luck.

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K.D.

answers from Dallas on

There are products that repel cats that you can buy at a pet store or at a hardware/garden supply store. You sprinkle the stuff in your garden where you don't want the cats to go.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

I heard sprinkling plain black or white pepper on the dirt will discourage cats. One whiff and they don't like it. Also, if it gets on their feet, and they lick it...not so tastey. It's not poisonous and shouldn't harm your flowers.
I actually got wire and kind of threaded it around my geraniums that are in big planters to keep the cats out. I tacked a few nails on the outside of the planters and made a grid of wire so that cats couldn't get to the dirt. You couldn't see the wire unless you got up close and as the plants grew, I could change where the wiring went around them. You can get spools of wire in different gauges at any hardware store.
My sister put long thin bamboo stakes, (green and I don't know where she got them) in her containers and left no room for the cats to step foot or get in the dirt.

There are ways to outsmart them!
Best wishes!

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A.P.

answers from Dallas on

My mom had a problem with stray cats spraying on her front porch...she sprinkled a fine dusting of cayenne pepper on the porch and hasn't seen them since! Try sprinkling it in your well and see if that helps keep them away (and it shouldn't harm the plants).

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A.A.

answers from Denver on

google search motion sensor sprinklers, or motion sensor noise devices, and cover the loose soil with rock mulch.

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C.H.

answers from Dallas on

I had that problem in my garden with the cats...I found out if ya put down some mulch they will stay away, because they dont like the feel of it. Fresh mulch! I also on top of the mulch I sprinkled some granules that keeps dogs, cats, and birds away! I think its called Worryfree dog, cat, and bird Repellant. I havent had a problem sense. Good Luck

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C.B.

answers from Dallas on

There is a product called Fox Urine in a spray bottle; just be sure not to get any on you! (latex gloves). Spray it around and they'll catch a clue.

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