UK households urged to use £1.50 kitchen staple to stop cats pooing in gardens

and are infamous for turning immaculate gardens into their personal lavatories and battlefields, leaving behind a mess of waste on plants and uprooted seeds and bulbs.

expert Matt Jordan from has stepped up with his top tips to deter these unwelcome guests from treating gardens as a toilet. He said: "Much to the dismay of their owners, many pets will eat their own poo and other animal faeces.

However, this is a very dangerous habit for your pet animal poo can host a variety of diseases and parasites. One of the deadliest for is parvovirus which is highly contagious and often fatal in unvaccinated dogs."

READ MORE:

'Never let cat faeces fester'

Matt also pointed out the health hazards to humans, stating: "Not only is poo dangerous to pets, but can also harm humans. Cat stool poses a very serious threat to both humans and other cats alike and should never be left to fester in the garden."

He flagged the issue on toxoplasmosis, an infection that can be spread by infected cats through their faeces, which is particularly risky for pregnant people or those with weakened immune systems. The gardening expert encouraged people to adopt his advice to prevent cats and foxes from fouling in their green spaces, reports the .

If you're eager to keep those pesky foxes out of your garden, Matt emphasises the importance of a good tidy-up, pointing out that foxes and cats are fond of snuggly spots, and unkempt gardens offer just the right sanctuary. The gardening guru offers valuable advice for those aiming to ward off foxes, stating: "Foxes love overgrown areas, so keeping your garden neat and tidy is a sure and effective way to help deter foxes from doing their business in your backyard."

He advocates regular lawn mowing, trimming any wild hedges or bushes, and compact planting arrangements to discourage foxes from taking shelter or cats from using your space as a litter box, commenting: "Focus on keeping your grass trimmed short, cutting back any overgrown bushes or shrubbery and keeping planting schemes tightly packed to avoid attracting foxes to den in your garden overnight and encouraging cats to come and dig in your garden."

However, he also cautions against forgetting the significance of these natural areas for other creatures like hedgehogs and the benefit of wildflowers to pollinators.

As a further measure, Matt recommends concocting a DIY deterrent, observing that foxes are drawn by their strong sense of smell to potential food sources in gardens, such as poultry, rabbits, birdseed, accessible waste, and vegetable plots. He advises: "Pests like foxes use scents to mark their territory to return to at a later date, which unfortunately for your garden means it'll become that fox's personal toilet. Spraying a vinegar mixture over your plants and lawn will help rid your garden of any marking scents and stop them from returning."

READ MORE:

The gardening expert also highlights that vinegar can be an effective deterrent to keep cats at bay, with the Primrose team acknowledging that white vinegar is indeed one of the scents that cats "detest". For practical application, the guru suggests using a spray bottle to apply the vinegar throughout the garden, particularly in spots where cats tend to linger.

In addition, Matt advises investing in motion-sensor deterrents to add another layer of protection for your garden. He notes: "Foxes and cats are more likely to move on from gardens where they don't feel secure, so sudden lights, noises and sensations should scare off unwanted guests and prevent your garden from becoming a public toilet."

He further comments on the benefits of motion-sensitive lighting, saying: "Motion-activated lights are not only a good investment for your home's safety, but they also conveniently keep foxes, cats and other pests at bay without bringing animals to harm."

For garden lovers dealing with these unwelcome visitors, Matt proposes using sprinklers: "Alternatively, sprinklers are a popular option for struggling gardeners. Cats infamously aren't fans of water, so making sure your grass and flowerbeds are damp will deter them from toileting in your garden."

Yet, he cautions that these wily creatures may become accustomed to certain tactics, urging gardeners to vary their approaches, noting: Be aware that they may get used to certain methods so gardeners might like to try a variety of tactics.