A gardener’s greatest challenge is keeping cats out of the garden. They can dig up plants, scatter soil and lawn, use flowerbeds as litter boxes, and make the garden look untidy. 

Ensuring felines don’t become pests and use your garden as their personal toilets can prove challenging, as many of their deterrents are unsafe.

However, there is a simple, natural, and cost-effective solution the team at SlotsUp have “tried and tested” to prevent this annoyance from occurring.

They said: “A homemade citrus spray takes advantage of cats’ dislike for strong, tangy smells, offering a humane way to keep your garden free from these pesky visitors.”

Their sensitive sense of smell and certain scents – particularly citrus – are highly off-putting to them. 

The strong aroma of lemons, limes, and oranges is overwhelming for feline noses, making your garden an uninviting spot for their bathroom breaks should this spray be utilised.

Unlike chemical repellents, a citrus spray is eco-friendly, safe, and affordable to make yourself at home.

The experts said: “Simply peel citrus fruits, which could cost as little as £1 to £2 for a small bag if there are no scraps in your kitchen. They can either be a singular type or a combination of lemon and orange, for example.

“Next, place these peels in a jar of water and let them soak for 24 hours to infuse the water with their strong citrus scent.

 “After the soaking period, transfer the mixture to a spray bottle, which can be purchased for about £1 at discount shops if there isn’t a spare one not in use at home.”

Apply the citrus spray to areas where cats are likely to do their business frequently, such as garden beds, along fences, and around plant pots. You can also scatter the citrus peels around plants or pathways to enhance the repellent effect.

Reapply the spray every few days or after rainfall to ensure the scent remains strong and continues to deter cats from using your garden as their toilet.

A representative of SlotsUp added: “Compared to commercial cat repellents, which could cost in the range of £8-15 for a small bottle, making use of regularly used, natural items found in and around the home can offer multiple batches of an eco-friendly deterrent for a fraction of the cost.”

The gardening pros at William James & Co have recommended using citrus fruit peels as it’s a scent “cats hate and can’t stand”. Alternatively, they noted that natural essential oils can also be used in its place.