Cats and foxes have long been notorious for turning immaculate gardens into private toilets and battlegrounds, leaving waste-strewn chaos among plants, uprooted seeds, and bulbs. Now, gardening expert Matt Jordan from The Greenhouse People has proposed a simple solution using a £1.50 kitchen staple to deter these unwelcome visitors.
“To the frustration of many homeowners, pets often eat their own feces or other animals’ waste—a dangerous habit,” Jordan warned. “Animal droppings can harbor diseases and parasites, like parvovirus in dogs, which is highly contagious and often fatal in unvaccinated pets.” He also highlighted risks to human health: “Cat feces pose severe threats to humans and other cats, and should never be left to fester in gardens.”
Jordan specifically cited toxoplasmosis, an infection spread via infected cat feces that poses particular risks to pregnant people or those with weakened immune systems. The expert urged gardeners to adopt his advice to prevent contamination from cats and foxes, emphasizing the £1.50 item—believed to be citrus peels or coffee grounds, common natural repellents—can disrupt animals’ territorial marking behaviors without harming them.
“By strategically placing these deterrents, you can reclaim your garden while ensuring both pet and human safety,” Jordan said, noting the method avoids harsh chemicals and aligns with humane pest control.
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