I opened the windows,(it's 85degress out here), this morning and the cats have used the old flower bed for their,hum,potty box.It smells so bad but when I closed up the windows it was so hot.The ups man came in a scrunched up his nose.!!Does anyone know what I could put in the flower box that won't hurt the cats or children and make them find another spot? Someone has to help or I'll have to bottle it and sell it as "ode de cat"!!!

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), October 23, 2001

Answers

Saw this elsewhere for keeping birds from making nests in hanging pots: Place clear plastic forks around the windowbox. Make it a chore and painful to use that box. You can see the flowers throught he forks.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), October 23, 2001.

I covered my flower beds with old chicken wire that I salvaged. the flowers grow right up through it but keeps the cats and chickens from scratching and digging.

Around my specimen plants, on the ground and in containers, I put a layer of rocks down and this has worked very well, too.

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@hotmail.com), October 23, 2001.

I use BLACK pepper. It makes them sneeze but dosn't hurt the cats. Do not!!! use red or hot peppers it will cause the cats to hurt themselves and you will end up with a vet bill. Black pepper is best they can't snif around to find a good spot if all they do is sneeze.

-- Teresa (c3ranch@socket.net), October 26, 2001.