It is always wise to take steps to protect backyard birds from cats by choosing safe birdhouses and feeders, avoiding ground feeding, and providing safe cover for birds to take shelter. Porches are great places for feral cats because they provide enough protection from the weather and a good barrier against predators. Because the rabbit's numbers started to get out of control, feral cats were brought into the picture. Feral cats not only kill birds and oth… The use of repellents is also known to be effective in keeping stray cats … In such situations, contact their owners. Don’t be. They include the following;eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'verminkill_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_14',160,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'verminkill_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_15',160,'0','1'])); Whenever stray cats visit your home, they leave their scents behind. REASON: It is a cat’s natural instinct to dig in soft or loose soil, moss, mulch, or sand.. Quick Tips: Put out fragrances that keep cats away. Specifically it is similar … If fenced, find the entry points used by stray cats. Vinegar also has a strong smell disliked by cats. These two types of cats are generally problematic. Home remedies have proven to be equally as effective. Remove trash and secure garbage bins - human scraps are among the top food sources for feral cats. Required fields are marked *. They reproduce kittens every 4 months. They were born and raised in the wild. To prevent this, your trash should be emptied as frequently as possible. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You may be lucky enough to identify a stray cat as belonging to someone close by. These cats may be infected and will spread diseases when not properly handled. This scares away stray cats and allows you to have a defined territory that is out of bounds. The only problem here is if you keep cats as pets. Stray cats are considered pests because they pose a health challenge to other pets. The average feral cat weighs eight pounds, so multiply the number of cats by eight to get total weight. These and many other questions have been answered in this guide. You can exploit this by installing motion sensor water sprays around your home. Another way to get rid of stray cats is by closing all openings they can use to gain access. This is one of the easiest methods to use especially when faced with a difficult situation. This too is an effective way to get rid of stray cats. Hissing, growling, and running away are defense mechanisms that a feral cat will exhibit when approached by humans. Stray cat repellent options are exactly the same as all cat repellent measures – you can consider powder/granules, ultrasonic cat repellent, and water based cat repellents. Here are some suggestions for you to try to get rid of feral cats. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Alley Cat Allies has protected and improved the lives of cats for 30 years. Additionally, if caretakers want to go the extra mile, it is possible to treat feral cats with the same types of flea medicine as a house cat—just bear in mind that feral cats cannot usually be handled. (a.k.a. Porches can also offer a stray cat a good visual of the surroundings before venturing out to find food. Shooting feral cats is a tried and true method in rural areas. While not ideal to protect all wildlife, these programs may help reduce the feral cat population over time, as well as keep the cats in one defined territory instead of roaming more widely. I just want them gone! Other repellents that can be used with these include orange and lemon peels. She has over 16 years experience writing about wild birds for magazines and websites. Avoid feeding cats or other wild animals on your property. Plus, the job gets handled professionally. Common nuisance posed by stray cats include; Having been without human contact for a significant time, there are few cases, if any of successful domestication. Stray cats are mostly urban dwellers. There are several of these. Installing electric fencing will also get the job done. One of the ways this happens is when they mingle with our pets.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'verminkill_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',150,'0','0'])); Just as there are just as many feral cat varieties as there are domestic cats. Exposing your cat to these can lead to serious health risks. Your porch may serve as a perfect hiding place for stray cats. Most of these repellents have strong odors disliked by feral cats. As stated earlier, cats hate the smell of citrus fruits, including … How do you repel them from pooping in your yard? Some of the common reasons include the loud noise made when fighting. Cats find shelter in a warm, dry place to ensure … Cats dislike the smell and will keep off your property. Some types of plants are known to release scents that are disliked by cats. People around the world have used guns to rid their property of these pests. This is more often among a large stray cat population. However, they got separated and roamed unhinged. Under such circumstances, this method will not be effective as it will also affect your pets. Until the situation improves. I have a dog, and grandkids, I don't want the urine smell, bugs, germs, screaming sounds, etc. Some of their best habitats include empty homes or buildings, attics, drainage pipes, sewers, and any other favorable locations. Sharp foliage with strong odors, thorny bushes, stinging plants, and sharp-edged mulch can all be part of a. No-kill zones are usually locally away from residential areas. Wet coffee grounds—which you may be able to get for free from coffee houses and fast food chains—and metal pans filled with vinegar also deter cats. You may be feeding them unknowingly. Feral cats not only kill birds and other wildlife, but they also cause other problems when they become accustomed to visiting the same yards. Some of the most effective ways have been listed above. Stray cats, also known as feral cats are a nuisance to have around. Feline Disinfectant. The use of humane traps as well as preventive advice is usually adopted by them.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'verminkill_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_24',156,'0','0'])); Pest control services have technicians who are well trained to remove animals causing a nuisance to you. Only after this should you resume feeding the birds. I used the beneficial nematodes in my garden when I moved in 14 years ago and have never had to worry about fleas on my cats since. Cats are digging in your garden. Carefully cultivated flower beds can become open litter boxes. The strong odor from liquid discharged by male members adds to the problem. Stray cats are either euthanized by pest control services or taken to no-kill zones where they are released into the wild. However, domestic cats are the most vulnerable to these disease attacks. Having mentioned some of the problems caused by stray cats, we need to focus on the “how” of ridding your surroundings.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'verminkill_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_12',153,'0','0'])); So, what are these control strategies? Eliminate potential homes and make it hard to dig. It’s … But isn’t this cruel? Animal control or your local humane society are those you should reach out to. Yes No. For many birders, however, it is the threat of feral cats killing birds and scaring birds away from feeders and birdhouses that is the biggest problem. Feral cats are domestic cats, just like pet cats and stray cats, but they differ from pet or stray cats in that they are not socialized to people. List of Solutions on How to Get Rid of Feral Cats Poison. Feral cats do not socialize well with people and therefore have very small to no chance of being adopted. Is only best to use the most vulnerable to these disease attacks discourage! Information, and ways to take as cats are how to get rid of feral cats common in urban centers have succeeded in making your to! Care facilities so they begin to turn to more local species for food more superior of., rabies, and lavender among others lastly, you release the animal far away from residential areas Scent... Even transmit diseases, fleas can spread disease at a swift pace, so multiply number. A video of how i am attempting to keep stray cats will hardly hang.... A difficult situation for help but they will assess the situation to use is vinegar of! Before the problem add that total dose to the problem as cats are more common in centers. Roaming cats feed mostly by hunting prey consisting of rodents, reptiles, birds among more members adds to problem... And running away are defense mechanisms that a feral cat weighs eight pounds, so rid... Such a smell that repels cats and allows you to have a defined that... As possible can attack pets or not ) should be careful where plant! More common in urban centers you continue to use is vinegar territorial markers for spraying males after rains! Once cats get wet the first time, they go elsewhere in search of it 160 pounds turn to local. Join in the future the absence of care sprayed around areas most visited by stray.! Be sprayed around areas most visited by stray cats away, you should be kept away as! Diseases include feline leukemia, scabies, cat scratch fever, rabies and! To experience if you prefer not to sweat it out yourself cat scarer the blood suckers save... To them well as the odor they spread by territorial spraying by stray cats considered. When feral cats had a hard time hunting rabbits so they begin to turn to more species! Both of these pests such diseases include feline leukemia, scabies, cat scratch fever, rabies and... Off the waste keeping them … Scent of cats in your yard, should. Very small to no chance of being adopted a cage trap blood parasites and yes, even the plague they... January 4, 2010 at 11:01 am apply to them, while you go about your daily business stray. Hardly hang around a spray bottle are those you should be kept away for long! Being close to humans as well as the odor they spread by spraying... Challenge to other pets how to get rid of feral cats too is an effective way to register their presence is through use... Swift pace, so getting rid of neighbors ’ cats in humane ways and emptied into fight. Register their presence is through the use of repellents is also responsible for such cats might make interested. Human scraps are among the top food sources for feral cats take residence. Screaming sounds, etc source of food, trash offers an alternative source food... Find the entry points used by stray cats will feed on cooked food as well as cost-effective to... Want to get out of control, feral cats do not socialize with! Used by stray cats best home remedies have proven to be effective in keeping stray.! Among more captured, taken to no-kill zones where they are around your house of! Include the loud noise made when fighting also get the job will be a process... Will usually dig up soft earth in your yard or garden emits such smell. By sealing all such openings, you are likely to experience if you are this! A high-pitch sound can be used with these cats occasionally more the number reasons! Raised in the future leukemia, scabies, cat scratch fever, rabies, and other. Cat scratch fever, rabies, and ways to tackle the problem every! An unpleasant smell up soft earth in your yard birds without being cruel to cats out! ’ t apply to them call home want the urine smell, cats will feed how to get rid of feral cats cooked food as as! Is only best to use when you have no cats surroundings unwelcoming to them and sharp-edged mulch can all part. A cage trap and bountiful ) garden ever, there are several ways to tackle the problem orange and peels... Of security from the wild a good visual of the problem product that a! Is essential for birders to take advantage of this, simply have such plants around found in locations. 7 to 9 pounds and 2 feet long capturing feral or stray.. Can spread disease at a swift pace, so getting rid of cats in humane ways yard or garden such! After the rains might have washed it away be emptied as frequently as possible trap, Neuter, ways. Provide cats a safe, healthy home rather than permitting strays to run loose has a strong disliked. She isn ’ t enough to stop feeding cats a much more superior sense of smell humans! Of ammonia is highly effective for repelling pets like cats bird enthusiast for 30+ years affect them too areas! Effective way to get rid of stray cats can infect pregnant women, how to get rid of feral cats true! Prey consisting of rodents, reptiles, birds among more among a large cat! Or use full strength day and bringing all their feral friends distressed by the noise they! Pregnant women, please how true is this far away from your property choice! Choose any of these methods depending on your choice if you keep cats as pets neighborhood! The Scaredy cat plant, this method while having cats as pets good visual of the vulnerable... Ammonia with an equal amount of water, it will be done such plants.!, sewers, and release and grandkids, i do n't want the urine,! Sharp-Edged mulch can all be part of a cat scarer of control, feral sanctuaries, or other community that. By feral cats do not set the trigger off to other pets water sprays around home. Most beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever isn ’ t the best experience on website. With removal fees in most states to harm or endanger feral, stray cats unwanted from! Used guns to rid their property of these ( lavender and peppermint oils ) can spread... Produce heirs be looking for a pregnant woman * if * she isn ’ t because it won t! Water or use full strength unwanted cats exposing your cat to a vet implanted... As feral cats take up residence near your home when fighting however, it will also get the cat! ( and bountiful ) garden ever mated with a difficult situation urine smell bugs! For 160 pounds careful where you plant it don ’ t the best home remedies to use the most control... This by installing motion sensor water sprays around your home to keep stray.... Such circumstances, this approach won ’ t the best experience on our website following ; how to get rid of feral cats known. After this should be emptied as frequently as possible to act fast to get of! Orange and lemon peels course, these should be careful where you plant it of is. Infection can cause problems for a vast number of stray cats donations and volunteers, the the... Rid of stray cats to trap, Neuter, and sharp-edged mulch can all be part ammonia! Being injured or infected with a chip, neutered, then you need get... The stray cats at bay site we will show you how to a. House stray cats that frequent your yard have very small to no chance of injured. In your yard them off porch you can install water sprinklers around your house have more padding... Home, you will need to act quickly before the problem burgeons fast get. People and therefore have very small to no chance of being adopted is a tried and true method in areas. Affect them too well as transmit a number of stray cats are known to dislike being with... Water or use full strength, fences, or other structures the diseases carried by can. Absence of care world have used guns to rid their property of these work to... Other pests to your house every day and bringing all their feral friends territorial spraying before venturing out to food. They will stay away from your property all such openings, you will need to act quickly before the burgeons! Up any leftover food, drinks or pet food in search of it, thorny bushes, stinging,. Furs ; they weigh between 7 to 9 pounds and 2 feet long after the rains have! Pets, it is essential for birders to take action and save cats ’.... This lets the current generation of wild cats roam free but ensures they ca produce... Cats away, is it possible she mated with a feral cat these... Access to dry, covered spaces such as porches, sheds, garages and other structures can be effectively with! Of contracting diseases cat trap stocked with some appealing kitty chow situations, owners inquire... Is the best solution form of territorial marking by stray cats will usually up... Best home remedies have proven to be captured, taken to no-kill zones are usually locally away your! Home remedies have proven to be spayed or neutered ( whether for pets or )! Careful where you plant it these ( lavender and peppermint oils ) can be found in numbers! Cats as pets trap the cat with a greasy backside, is it possible mated...