Garden expert reveals 'cat repellent' plant that will make cats run 'other miles' from your garden
Although cats are loyal and loving companions, not everyone wants a cat prowling around the yard.
The popular pets are known to mark their territory by urinating, which can damage plants that avid gardeners may have put a lot of effort into.
Luckily, for anyone wanting to keep cats away, a gardening expert has shared a 'cat repellent' plant that will help keep them out of your garden.
Speaking in a YouTube video for I like the gardenAccording to British gardening expert Suzanne Hall, there is a certain herb that forces cats to 'run a mile'.
This plant – coleus canina – is an herb variety from the mint family Lamiaceae and is also called the 'terrifying cat plant' because of its ability to deter cats and dogs.
This is because it contains leaves and flowers that are sticky to the touch and have an odor, similar to Eucalyptus, which cats and dogs do not like.
If this doesn't work, Ms Hall also shared some other natural hacks that can be useful in keeping cats out of your garden.
She said adding ground black pepper to hot water in a spray bottle, shaking it and spraying it near plants is effective because cats dislike the strong odor and the substance is safe to use on flora .
The expert said lavender also works, thanks to its equally powerful scent.
In a YouTube video for LoveTheGarden, Suzanne Hall said there is a plant that forces cats to 'run a mile' (stock image)
It comes after a grumpy neighbor's letter complaining about cats roaming and defecating on their property won the support of locals.
The note was shared on the Facebook community page of Moreton Bay, north of Brisbane, earlier this week after a resident received it in their letterbox.
'Dear neighbour. If you have a cat that likes to roam, please keep it indoors,” the note read.
'We recently had two cats on our property (1 black, 1 grey), and they poop where our children play.
'Today there was poop on our stairs. If this continues, we will get a trap from the municipality and take the cat(s) to the shelter. Thank you.'
The letter received support from local residents. One of them wrote: 'The letter is respectful, and the cat owner should be too.'
A second added: 'I think this letter is polite and non-offensive and if I were them I would be more than frustrated having to clean up after someone else's pet.