How to get rid of Feral cats?

[scooterbug44]

Dunno if this is the right forum, so please move if not!

Does anyone have a suggestion to discourage feral cats from hanging out at my house?

All of a sudden there are several who have claimed my yard as their new home and I have dibs! :angry:

Are there native plants they dislike, a spray I can get at Franks etc?

I don't want to hurt them, just discourage them so my porch doesn't smell like a litterbox and I don't get woken up at 5 am by cats fighting.

[Smiling JOe]

plant a catnip bush. lol. Or, get a large dog.

[beachmouse]

I've heard orange peels because they don't like the smell of citrus.

[scooterbug44]

plant a catnip bush. lol. Or, get a large dog.
http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/tongue/tongue0020.gif (http://www.allthedates.com)

Thank you beach mouse for the HELPFUL suggestion!

[NoHall]

Wow--I'll be interested to see what comes up on this. I only know about indoor repellants--cinnamon, aluminum foil, sticky/tacky surfaces.

I know that they make devices that emit a high frequency that will aggravate rodents, but I don't know if they work outside or on cats.

I'll ask the Jesus Cat what he thinks...

[Smiling JOe]

I'm guessing that using a shotgun isn't an option for you, eh? lol. Only kidding. I love cats -- they taste like chicken. lol. Okay, seriously, have you searched online for folk remedies to repel cats. I bet you can find some which may work very well.

[scooterbug44]

I'm guessing that using a shotgun isn't an option for you, eh? lol. Only kidding. I love cats -- they taste like chicken. lol. Okay, seriously, have you searched online for folk remedies to repel cats. I bet you can find some which may work very well.

:yikes:I don't kill ANYTHING unless it is threatening me* !

*(cockroaches/bugs indoors are a threat to my mental health and physical well being so they gets skooshed rapido!)

This IS my version of searching online for folk remedies! :blush:

[Duchess of SRB]

I never had a feral cat problem. I don't think they like me.
Would you care for me to visit your estate? I do an excellent howl.

[scooterbug44]

I never did before either. Maybe Watercolor is relocating cats again. :biggrin:

Or maybe they sense that I am mellowing as I age? :idontno:

[jdarg]

Hang a sign in your yard that reads "Wanted: Feral Cats. Free Food! Come to Seaside!"

Tell them to hurry up and pack before they kill all the songbirds in your yard.:bang:

[NoHall]

Hang a sign in your yard that reads "Wanted: Feral Cats. Free Food! Come to Seaside!"

That's the problem with cats--reverse psychology doesn't work on them. They're like teenaged boys.

[ASH]

Check at a pet store for cat repellant. It does exist. I think one brand is Reppers or something like that.
Beachmouse is right about orange peels. Cayenne Pepper or pipe tobacco also works.

[InletBchDweller]

I have a BB handgun. I dont shoot the cats just scare them off. I also do this to scare the squirrels. So far it has worked.

[Tootsie]

I never had a feral cat problem. I don't think they like me.
Would you care for me to visit your estate? I do an excellent howl.
:yikes:



get a dog.:D a big one. even my sweet gal Lulu would happily chase any cat away - maybe even kill it. don't know though - she's never caught one.

[scooterbug44]

Unfortunately I can't get a dog - I REALLY want one, but am honest about knowing that I don't have the room/time to care for it properly! :(

I'm not going to be one of those arses who gets a dog and doesn't take care of it properly! :angry:

[jdarg]

Garden hose/sprinklers. Try a few nice blasts.

(Disclaimer: I have a cat and love cats. Feral cat populations are a serious problem, not a blessing.)

[wrobert]

Seems like I remember not to long ago that the State was going to round up a bunch around Seaside and exterminate them. A group jumped up and laid claim to correcting the problem through some sort of a catch and release program. Maybe you just need to let Alicia know you are going to 'do the right thing' and that some bunch will come take them away.

I also am a cat lover, although reluctantly. Evidenced by the seven I have that insist on sleeping in my bed at night. Thank goodness the Jack Russell is not afraid of cats, just watermelons.

[jdarg]

Seems like I remember not to long ago that the State was going to round up a bunch around Seaside and exterminate them. A group jumped up and laid claim to correcting the problem through some sort of a catch and release program. Maybe you just need to let Alicia know you are going to 'do the right thing' and that some bunch will come take them away.

I also am a cat lover, although reluctantly. Evidenced by the seven I have that insist on sleeping in my bed at night. Thank goodness the Jack Russell is not afraid of cats, just watermelons.

:floor:Scooterbug, give the cats to WaltonGOP. He will never notice them!!

[aleonard]

Seems like I remember not to long ago that the State was going to round up a bunch around Seaside and exterminate them. A group jumped up and laid claim to correcting the problem through some sort of a catch and release program. Maybe you just need to let Alicia know you are going to 'do the right thing' and that some bunch will come take them away.

I also am a cat lover, although reluctantly. Evidenced by the seven I have that insist on sleeping in my bed at night. Thank goodness the Jack Russell is not afraid of cats, just watermelons.

My border collies would just try to herd them like sheep:blush: I am having issues with deer in town. I came home friday night to find three beautiful lady deer munching in my neighbors front yard on College Ave., two houses down from me. They are driving the dogs nuts.

[wrobert]

My border collies would just try to herd them like sheep:blush: I am having issues with deer in town. I came home friday night to find three beautiful lady deer munching in my neighbors front yard on College Ave., two houses down from me. They are driving the dogs nuts.

I remember years ago, in the middle of the day a deer took off through the middle of town, heading north on 8th st. Unfortunately never made it across Hwy 90. Then a few years ago I remember me and one of the police officers chasing three off the circle and back out into the woods at 4 in the morning to keep them from getting into traffic when people woke up. What a hoot.

[aleonard]

I remember years ago, in the middle of the day a deer took off through the middle of town, heading north on 8th st. Unfortunately never made it across Hwy 90. Then a few years ago I remember me and one of the police officers chasing three off the circle and back out into the woods at 4 in the morning to keep them from getting into traffic when people woke up. What a hoot.

I guess they are coming up from the Valley. I was walking around the lake last year and a huge Buck came bounding across the street in front of me. Scared the begeebuz out of me :yikes: They are beautiful but I'm afraid as you recounted of them getting onto a main road around town and causing an accident.

PS. Scoot, I don't have any advice but if they continue to get worse let me know and I will try to get someone to get some info and maybe bring some attention to them.

[NoHall]

I told my dad and the Jesus Cat (whose real name is Hoot) about your problem today. Dad said that we have one feral cat who roams around at night, and he wished that Hoot would do something about it. Hoot ignored his sarcastic tone and suggested that you hiss at them menacingly (while showing as many of your teeth as possible) and strike them about the face with your claws. The nose and eyes are the most sensitive areas.

If this doesn't work, he said the you should glare at them in a condescending manner until it is time for your next meal or nap. Don't let them near your food bowl. (I'm just quoting here...)

[florida girl]

I told my dad and the Jesus Cat (whose real name is Hoot) about your problem today. Dad said that we have one feral cat who roams around at night, and he wished that Hoot would do something about it. Hoot ignored his sarcastic tone and suggested that you hiss at them menacingly (while showing as many of your teeth as possible) and strike them about the face with your claws. The nose and eyes are the most sensitive areas.

If this doesn't work, he said the you should glare at them in a condescending manner until it is time for your next meal or nap. Don't let them near your food bowl. (I'm just quoting here...)

:floor::floor::floor:

[florida girl]

A dog is probably your best repellant for cats, but if you can't have a dog, how about a recorded dog? I've heard of some strange answering messages before...! They can really tell the difference between you and a real dog howl!

[SHELLY]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPfwTF3cilU

[Here4Good]

Great idea, Shelly!

[Scooter]

I would call the Seaside cat people!

[hnooe]

FEDERAL CATS?? U get rid of Federal Cats by voting 'em out of office!!

[scooterbug44]

Thank you everyone! :wub:

I am going to add some spice and citrus to the yard and hope that takes care of the problem. :wave:

[Johnny Post]

Feral Cats? No wonder we don't have many beach mice left!:rolling:

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[jdarg]

Feral Cats? No wonder we don't have many beach mice left!:rolling:

Sorry, couldn't resist.

That is a good point. I am sure there aren't any more at Seaside!

[scooterbug44]

I don't know if it was a "beach" mouse, but one ran across the road and into my yard o' feral cats yesterday, so there is still a population of something!

[beachmouse]

Hey, I'm still here, and make it at least as far as Miramar Beach every weekend.

[elgordoboy]

Airsoft..I am getting ready to take it to the 'coons.