Ok, so the cat is eating the leaves of my ornamental peppers. This isn't a huge deal, but I will soon be moving my superhot seedlings to that window. I tried some cayenne powder on top of the soil of a few test seedlings and the cat left them alone, but once the plants get a little bigger I don't think the cayenne on the soil will matter. How about misting with lightly soapy water? I am afraid that if it is strong enough to deter the cat it might hurt the plant if left on? I know there are commercially available options, but if you read the ingredient list it is usually stuff off the spice rack anyway. Anyone else had this problem or know a good solution?
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Cat Deterrent
- Thread starter stc3248
- Start date
yeah...I've had the catnip started for a few weeks, but its not growing as fast as the peppers. Thanks for the thread, most of those are outdoor solutions and the cat is eating the leaves...which wasn't mentioned in there. I might try clipping the ends off a few peppers every now and then, and maybe try sprinkling a little cayenne on the leaves I guess...
one time a long time ago, I said a 22 short would take care of that problem but some people didn't take kindly to my little bit of levity...
Wish I lived far enough in the country for that.
Last season I took green supers off broken branches, dried, and powdered them. Then sprinkled that on 3 plants' leaves and now chewing occurred. IMO dust sparingly or have a huge bag since repeated apps will be needed depending on air movement.
Yeah not a cat fan either...but the wife is, so I must put up with them.
I do have a Yellow Lab and a German Shepard....hmmmm
I will try the powered leaves for now I think.
that is dusting them with pepper powder...
My cat chewed every single seedling last year until I moved the plants to the greenhouse. And when I would bring in peppers that I picked, she would bite them, hide them or carry them off. She's a very determined cat and will work at any defense until it is broken through. I admire her determination so I've just given up and moved everything outside where she can't get at it.
Right now there are some tropical house plants I'm attempting to save. She has eaten a few plants to nubs so I put them in the window sill and had hardware cloth placed around them. She will sit there and pick at the wire mesh all day and will likely do so until she figures it out.
Right now there are some tropical house plants I'm attempting to save. She has eaten a few plants to nubs so I put them in the window sill and had hardware cloth placed around them. She will sit there and pick at the wire mesh all day and will likely do so until she figures it out.
Well we actually have 2 cats. One only has 3 legs and she doesn't bother the plants at all because she can't get to them. Maybe I should have one removed from my other cat and see if that helps???
Mine's determined too...there is no shelf to high. I think I am going to start some cat grass (oats) along with the catnip as an alternative for her, and spray the plants with pepper powder infused water and see what happens.
Yeah, and a .22 Long would keep dogs from "doodling" in my yard, "diddling" on my tires, and barking 24/7...
I have a cat that likes to chew on everything including wires. I discovered this because one day our phones didn't work. He didn't chew the phone line, it was the power cord to the base unit.
I went to the freezer and grabbed a fresh-frozen J-7-Pot, cut it in half, and rubbed it on all the wires behind my desk. Our phone still works. I've been thinking about making a spray with the 7-Pots, just for this reason. Sounds like it might work with your plants too.
Anyone think if you boiled 3-4 7-Pots in 2 Cups of water, that would be a good repellent spray? (I would need a garden sprayer for my tires) LOL
I have a cat that likes to chew on everything including wires. I discovered this because one day our phones didn't work. He didn't chew the phone line, it was the power cord to the base unit.
I went to the freezer and grabbed a fresh-frozen J-7-Pot, cut it in half, and rubbed it on all the wires behind my desk. Our phone still works. I've been thinking about making a spray with the 7-Pots, just for this reason. Sounds like it might work with your plants too.
Anyone think if you boiled 3-4 7-Pots in 2 Cups of water, that would be a good repellent spray? (I would need a garden sprayer for my tires) LOL
[sub]If elephants are eating your plants there is probably another problem. I would give the soapy mist a shot for the cat. My cats don't eat the plants but they do tend to be attracted to the soil under the mulch if they are not to happy about the state of their liter box.[/sub]
[sub]Good luck Mike[/sub]
[sub]Good luck Mike[/sub]
"Well we actually have 2 cats. One only has 3 legs and she doesn't bother the plants at all because she can't get to them. Maybe I should have one removed from my other cat and see if that helps???"
I have one of those determined cats too. Maybe I should try this ...
Last year, my kitchen window looked like some kind of voodoo ritual. I tried toothpicks and wooden skewers with the pointy side up in all the containers to keep him out. He would either push them out of the way, or grab from the side with his mouth, pull them out, and continue snacking. That's when I had to set up a table in the guest room for my peppers. That's also when I quit calling him Melvin, and started calling him Punk!
I have one of those determined cats too. Maybe I should try this ...
Last year, my kitchen window looked like some kind of voodoo ritual. I tried toothpicks and wooden skewers with the pointy side up in all the containers to keep him out. He would either push them out of the way, or grab from the side with his mouth, pull them out, and continue snacking. That's when I had to set up a table in the guest room for my peppers. That's also when I quit calling him Melvin, and started calling him Punk!
I brought in peppers for the big 3 day freeze we just went through. the 2 indoor cats just had to dig in the pots and eat the leaves. The Zimbabwe birds took the brunt but they were also loaded with peppers. I watched as one of the cats actually stripped all the leaves and pods off one of the branches. A little while later he threw up all the leaves, but not the pods. He has been hanging close to me ever since, and has left the peppers alone.
Sometimes you need a sacrificial plant just like marigolds for aphids...
Sometimes you need a sacrificial plant just like marigolds for aphids...
feline jerky??? Hickory smoked or maple? 
maybe an old fashioned sling shot????