Cats and foxes won't go near gardens if they smell 'strong odours' from 3 plants

Cats and foxes are two of the most frustrating animals to try and keep out of your garden. The gardening experts at Grass247 revealed that cats are the animals that Brits want to keep out of their garden most, with over 22,000 online monthly searches for ways to keep felines at bay. Following cats are foxes, with over 5,000 monthly searches.

In the colder months, Brits might notice an uptick in the numbers of these animals in their gardens as they hunt for food and warmth. James Higgins, e-commerce manager at Grass247, said: “If you have and want to prevent unwanted visitors, it’s important to address this issue humanely. “In the UK, harmful traps or poisons are illegal and can pose a serious risk to non-target wildlife, pets and children.



“Instead, focus on methods that protect both your garden and the local wildlife.” His top tip is to create unappealing scents to discourage pests from making your garden their home. He said: “You can try adding some orange, lime, or lemon peels from any refreshments directly onto your soil.

"Not only will this help to deter unwanted visitors, but they’ll also naturally compost and provide your plants with some extra nutrients.” The other option is to plant heavily scented things like garlic, lavender and mint - adding these to your garden can act as a natural repellent. You should also ensure that any compost or garbage bins you keep in the garden are properly secured.

As well as making sure these bins have well fitting lids, you should make sure to keep them clean to avoid unwelcome visitors. Regularly cleaning bins with soapy water and spraying them with vinegar or peppermint tea can also help mask lingering food smells. The third tip to keep animals out is to make sure your garden is clean and tidy.

He said: “Garden cleaning can sometimes fall to the wayside, especially in the colder months, but cleaning your garden regularly is one of the easiest ways to keep unwanted visitors at bay. Remove animal waste promptly and rinse affected areas with water mixed with a disinfectant safe for plants and pets. This discourages repeat visits by removing scent markers used by animals to identify territories.

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