Top 12 Ideal Cat Repellents and Deterrents Options to Repel Unwanted Cats
A big amount of your energy and time goes into keeping your outdoor space looking beautiful, so it is no wonder that you want to protect your lawn or yard from damage caused by local and stray cats.
Here I suggest Top 12 Best Cat Repellent and Deterrent Products of 2023 for your consideration:
| PREVIEW | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our #1 Rated  | Orbit Yard Enforcer Sprinkler with Day and Night Detection Modes
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 | Hoont Jet Blaster
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 | Solar Powered Ultrasonic Motion-Sensor and Flashing Lights Outdoor Repeller
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 | Bird-X Yard Gard Electronic Animal Repeller
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 | Yard Sentinel RC Ultrasonic Animal Pest Repeller with Motion Detector
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 | Havahart Spray Away Hydro-Remote Repellent Sprinkler
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 | Havahart Spray Away Sprinkler
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 | PREDATORGUARD PestAway Ultrasonic Outdoor Cat Repeller
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 | Hoont Advanced Solar Powered Ultrasonic Outdoor Pest Repeller + Flashing Strobe
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 | Safer Critter Ridder Animal Repellent Granules
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 | Safer Critter Ridder Animal Repellent Spray RTU
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 | PetSafe SSSCAT Spray Indoor Pet Deterrent
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Stray cats can cause huge damage to your plants and wildlife. They will leave offensive scent markings to mark the territory and prey upon birds and wildlife.
Keeping destructive cats out of your property and preventing damage is possible with a special repelling plan. Here, I will offer solutions to stop nuisance cats from using your lawn or garden as a litter box and from causing great damage to your plants, grass, and trees. I’ll help you to choose the best stray cat repellent solution for the best long-term results.
Top 12 Best Cat Repellent and Deterrent Options Reviewed: Keep Safe Your Outdoor and Indoor Space
Not sure what the best cat repellent is for a big cat problem? I make it easy by providing you with the best human, motion-activated, natural, and electronic deterrents for successful cat removal. Reveal the most effective option for you.
After much research, there are some products that stand out more than others. And the winner is Orbit Yard Enforcer Motion-Activated Animal Repellent Control Sprinkler.
1. Orbit Yard Enforcer – The Best Motion-Activated Sprinkler (Editor’s Choice)
Yard Enforcer by Orbit is a motion-activated cat control sprinkler. If you want to deter cats from your flowerbeds or any other location, position the sprinkler in the direction of where the cats enter your yard.
Benefits: This deterrent sprinkler has both day and night detection options. When it comes to cat control – don’t hurt these critters, just squirt them. Orbit Enforcer is the best way to protect up to 1600 square foot areas.
You can:
- Adjust the duration of the spray.
- Adjust the sensitivity of the sensor.
2. Hoont Jet Blaster Motion-Activated Sprinkler
Hoont Jet Blaster is an excellent motion-activated sprinkler that effectively presents a humane way to keep cats from disturbing your lawn without the use of chemicals or complicated cat traps.
The sprinkler combines:
- Unexpected motion;
- A surprise spray of water;
- Noise.
These 3 effective combinations create an effective and safe repellent to unwanted cats.
The simple and efficient water-based concept of the product makes Hoont a perfect choice for people who consider fences unappealing.
Why it is effective: The sudden spray of clean water scares cats and they associate this unpleasant experience with your lawn. So the cats will avoid the area in the future.
3. Solar-Powered Repeller – The Outdoor Ultrasonic Cat Control Deterrent for Better Defense
The Ultrasonic Deterrents are very popular methods of cat control for those who want to learn how to quickly get rid of nasty cats. This automatic option is the best solution for those who don’t want to use fences or chemicals. This Motion-Sensor and Flashing Lights Repeller emits an unexpected burst of not-pleasant-to-cats ultrasonic sound and teaches cats to go away.
Installation: Place the deterrent in any possible outdoor space you want to protect and the product is ready to go.
Top 3 reasons why it is effective:
- The Ultrasonic Deterrent doesn’t operate continuously. It waits for the cat to come making the function unpredictable for the animal and in turn more effective.
- The cat is startled by a powerful burst of effective ultrasonic sound.
- The cat will avoid the location in the future.
4. Bird-X Yard Gard
Yard Gard is a discreet, electronic, and human way to deter neighbor’s wandering cats or feral cats. The product emits high-frequency (extremely unpleasant and irritating to cats) waves which are nearly silent to humans. Protects up to 4,000 sq.ft. The product is worth the investment especially if you have thoughtless neighbors who allow their cats to poop in your yard.
Ideal for use at: Front and side yards.
5. Yard Sentinel RC
Yard Sentinel offers great cat protection for almost everywhere. With this electronic solution, you can quickly remove cats that have been invading your privacy.
6. Havahart Spray-Away Hydro-Remote
Spray Away Hydro-Remote Sprinkler is detecting the cat’s heat and movement and releases an unexpected burst of water with noise and motion. This frightens away cats and conditions them to stay out of your property.
Benefits: The sprinkler saves electricity and requires much less maintenance than other traditional electronic sprinklers. The product is eco-friendly – it uses only water and noise – and efficient as there is no need for continuous re-application.
For example, try an electronic cat deterrent alongside a liquid or granular repellent or a live cat trap.
7. Havahart Spray Away Motion-Activated Sprinkler
Spray Away by Havahart is an efficient motion-activated sprinkler that can effectively defend your yard from destructive cats. This electronic deterrent constantly seeks out cats’ movement and frightens them off with a quick and unexpected burst of water.
8. PREDATORGUARD PestAway
PestAway is the best ultrasonic deterrent for cats and wildlife. Scares cats with strobe light and sound.
As soon as the cat enters your lawn the unit emits irritating-to-cats ultrasonic noise and flashes bright strobe lights to scare them away.
Where to place: In any desired location.
9. Hoont Motion-Activated Repeller
Hoont Electronic Outdoor Motion-Activated Repeller is a human and environmentally friendly way to deter destructive cats. The product blasts a range of ultrasonic sounds and flashing lights. It has an optional mode of activating or can run continuously. You can select your model of sonic, ultrasonic, and strobe flashing.
How to install: Take the deterrent out of the box, plug it in, and then select the desired mode.
10. Safer Critter Ridder Granular Shaker – The Best Granular Cat Repellent
Safer Animal Repellent Granules is an unique solution that sends cats running. The solution is derived from 3 hot peppers that irritate the cat’s senses of smell, taste and touch. After a couple of visits, cats associate this irritation sensation with your garden, yard or lawn and learn to stay away.
Defense: 1 application of the solution lasts up to 30 days. For more protection, you can spot-treat grass areas and more with just a sprinkle.
Where to sprinkle the solution: You can use Safer’s granules anywhere cats are crossing into your yard. This may be along the tree line, around the perimeter of your flowerbeds, along yard pathways, or on the hedge row. Be sure to apply granules where cats are most likely to travel.
11. Safer Critter Ridder Ready-to-Use Spray – The Best Cat Repellent Spray
Safer Critter Ridder Animal Repellent Spray is an improved formula that includes more powerful active ingredients against nuisance cats. This is an odorless spray with a bad-to-cats taste. A few visits are really all it will take to condition cats to avoid your outdoor space.
Safety: Made of organic ingredients. Convenient, safe, and efficient to use around your veggies and fruits.
Where to use: Spray the repellent on the areas – garden beds, trees, trees, flowerbeds, shrubs – where stray or neighbors’ cats don’t belong.
Benefits: This is the only cat repellent that has the power to restore vegetation. Not only you can repel cats from your garden and lawn but also encourage your plant’s growth with 1 easy-to-use formula. New Critter Ridder delivers nutrients to your plants and grass and effectively repels destructive stray cats.
If you want to deter nasty cats from dining on your garbage, spray your waste containers and trash bags frequently.
Best Natural Cat Control Repellent Solution
If you want to make your cat removal successful, the best way to do it is by using dual area protection. I suggest using Safer Critter Ridder dual protection, which will surely help you with feral cats’ problems.
You can purchase the combination of these two effective repellents. The product is effectively used by homeowners, farmers, gardeners, and animal control professionals.
Why Safer Critter Ridder combination is effective: Solid and liquid Critter Ridder cat control repellent is the best combination to protect your property from nasty cats. With the help of liquid Critter Ridder repellent, you will effectively protect surfaces like sheds and garbage cans. The solid solution will help you to create a special cat control barrier around your yard, lawn, or mulch.
Two Modes of Defense: The combination of both products creates a great defense against feral cats. Just spray the liquid solution directly onto your plants, soil, trash, or areas where you see signs of cat activity. Create a barrier with granules along lawns, flower beds, or pathways, and the work is done. Discomfort brought upon by organic Critter Ridder solution will make cats unwilling to return.
12. PetSafe SSSCAT Spray – The Best Indoor Cat Repellent
PetSafe SSSCAT Automated Cat Deterrent Spray is an odorless, stainless, and harmless automated spray system to protect indoor areas from cats.
Are they scratching your furniture, chewing plants, or jumping on your tables? Now you can stop cats from damaging your things with the help of SSSCAT. The device detects the movement of the animal and then releases a brisk spray that surprises the cat. The device protects indoor areas within a radius of 3 ft. Once the animal makes the association with SSSCAT, it will surely stay away.
What is the Best Cat Repellent and Outdoor Deterrent in 2023? – Your Expert Buyer’s Guide
Are you tired of cats pooping on your lawn, lounging on patios and decks, or digging up your nice garden? Foul odors, unpleasant messes – you can stop cats from damaging your property with the help of excellent repellent products and deterrent solutions.
Learn how to condition cats to stay away without using harmful chemicals, poison, and traps. Find more information on electronic, automated, and motion-activated solutions. Take steps to select your cat repellent and make your lawn, yard, and garden unappealing to cats.
How to Repel Destructive Stray Cats with Distasteful-To-Them Repellents
It is not a secret – cats are extremely territorial, so keeping them out of garden or yard areas can be a bit puzzling. Cats will mark your outdoor space by urinating and depositing pheromones from their scent glands. If your yard or lawn has been frequented by stray cats, the first thing you are to do is to remove cats’ feces.
Want to stop stray cats from using your nice yard? You can eliminate any cat in your yard by using repellents. As far as these animals are very habitual by nature they will be successfully repelled if you will use several forms of discouragement.
For long-term cat control, using multiple repellents at once is the best solution.
Cats’ sense of smell is fifteen times that of a human’s. These animals are walking noses. Due to many evolutionary impulses cats have strong likes and dislikes.
Here are citrus smells – cats hate – that can effectively repel them:
- Limes,
- Oranges,
- Grapefruits,
- Lemons.
Cats can’t stand citrus fruits because they are toxic to them if ingested. So you can use these repellent fragrances as cats’ repellents.
Spicy scents can also be used as cats’ repellents. They hate the smell of mustard and hot or cayenne pepper, and with good reason. Such peppers contain very toxic-to-cats capsaicin.
Cayenne pepper is what sends stray cats running. Therefore many people use it as an outdoor cat control repellent for their yards and gardens. However, this can be very harmful to cats. I suggest using organic granular repellents that you can sprinkle to create a working barrier around your yard, garden or lawn.
You can apply cat granules in any area that you don’t want stray cats to cross like: gardens, porches, barns yards, flowerbeds, lawns, and garages.
Efficient Tips on How to Repel Destructive Stray Cats from Your Lawn
Stray cats are not well-behaved guests. They can easily wreak havoc with your lawn.
To deter unwelcome stray cats from your beautiful yard you are to:
Remove attractants
Food sources, water and the scent of other stray cats are the main reasons why cats may enter your property. This is why the absence of attractants is critical.Take the following actions:
- Avoid feeding cats on your property.
- Secure garbage bins.
- Clean up your pet or leftover food and drinks.
- Remove trash.
- Remove sources of standing water from your yard.
- Clean up cat feces on and around your yard.
Garbage is one of the biggest food sources of stray cats. To deter unwanted trespassers, spray your waste containers and trash bags as often as possible.
Don’t let nasty cats dine on your garbage!- Construct fence to prevent cats
Made-from-chicken wire simple fence will prevent cats from getting into your yard. - Scare cats with repellents
Sudden movement, noise and burst of water can condition neighbors’ and stray cats to leave any area. Electronic repellents will be an excellent protection against cats. - Plant Coleus Canina in your yard
Coleus Canina or Scaredy Plant is appealing plant with blue spiky flowers. The plant will be an excellent outdoor deterrent solution in your yard as it releases the not-pleasant-to-cats odor.
Cat control options don’t require harming the animal. Easy-to-apply, organic cat repellents and deterrents are available that will easily and quickly condition uninvited cats to stay away without having to damage your lawn or poison the animal.
Motion-Sensor Cat Repellents
Electronic deterrent devices are extremely effective at deterring stray cats. They can effectively frighten away and cause discomfort to cats.
To make sure stray cats don’t learn to avoid motion sprinklers, you are to reposition them. Soon, neighboured or stray cats – who don’t like being sprayed with water – will associate this unpleasant experience with your lawn and will quickly stay away.
You don’t need to continuously reapply cat repellents. With electronic devices, unwelcome cats will be deterred with only water and sound.
Natural Cat Repellent Effectiveness
There are many efficient products on the market to deter destructive cats. However, you can make a homemade cat deterrent that will be as effective as the commercial one. Natural deterrents include cayenne pepper, citrus peels, vinegar, Chile powder, and rosemary.
Rosemary spray – a mixture of water and rosemary – works effectively in outdoor space where stray or your neighbor’s cats may linger.
Again you can plant some rosemary in your yard. Cats can’t stand it and will avoid the area.
What is the best cat deterrent solution?
It is useless to speak of a single deterrent for cats, as what is efficient in one case can be the least efficient in tens of others.
If you don’t want to use dangerous chemical deterrents, hazardous electric fences, traps, and messy sprinklers you can take advantage out of the natural deterrent.
Organic Cat Control
Most gardeners know that using chemicals and such homemade repellents like cayenne pepper or mothballs can hurt cats.
However to keep these animals out of yards you can use gentle but effective DIY cat repellents like:
Citrus peels – just cut up some good lemons, grapefruits and oranges. Spread around your yard or garden or sew peels into cloth sachets and place in problem areas.- Vinegar and soap solution – you are to mix 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup liquid soap and 1 cup water. Remember – the proportions should be equal.
- Citronella oil mixture – Make an outdoor spray by combining twenty drops of eucalyptus oil, one quart of water and twenty drops of lemon oil. Shake the repellent mixture, then use around areas you want destructive cats to stay away.
Cat Control Repellent Plants
Plants that cats hate is another repelling alternative. By incorporating not-attractive-to-cats plants in your garden you can easily resolve your cat problems.
I recommend planting such plants around the perimeter of your lawn or garden as:
- Rosemary,
- Lavender,
- Rue,
- Pennyroyal,
- Scaredy-cat plant.
Cat Control Repellent Sprays
Today’s market offers a variety of working cat deterrent and repellent solutions that can help to prevent damage from stray cats.
If you want to prevent cats from eating your garbage or plants, digging in your yard and stretching at trees, spray liquid repellents – sprays – onto outdoor surfaces, such as:
- Shrubs,
- Trees,
- Soil,
- Mulch,
- Trash bags,
- Garbage cans,
- Grass.
Cat Odor Problems
The smell stray cats can leave around your property is offensive. This happens when they are active and leave scent trails on flower beds or trees.
Another problem is when this smell lures other cats which in its turn add their scent. What’s more the smell gets worse after the rain.
The following stray cats’ behavior can be a problem:
- Cats pooping on your property.
- Male cats spraying, leaving strong foul odor.
- Flea infestation.
Solution: To remove cat smell outside I suggest using the Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator.
Angry Orange is a clear spray solution which can be sprayed to remove cats’ odor. Just spray about anywhere a cat has gone to neutralize the odor. The product is safe and organic.
Questions & Answers
Cats have an acute sense of smell and that you need to find a "natural" scent your cat doesn't like. Some people think cats don't like citrus scents but my mom (a vet) says she doesn’t know anyone who has ever successfully kept a cat out with citrus.
She suggests using something more natural, such as cedarwood or peppermint oils sprayed around the house.
Many oils will repel cats including peppermint oil, citronella, lavender, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. Experiment with a few and then mix according to your own taste. Place the oil near points of entry where you want to deter cats from coming in.
For some people, mothballs successfully repel other animals from their gardens and property. Unfortunately, they're a very toxic substance to cats, children, and wildlife. So if you do use them as a cat repellant, be sure not to leave any around where your pets or loved ones might try licking or eating them.
Besides that, there are more natural remedies that really work such as vinegar (can be applied with sponges), herbs like lavender (or extract/oil), and essential oils such as orange oil or lime oil.
Yes, but they don't work for all cats equally. If the cat has a natural curiosity about what's on the other side, then yes! However, if the cat doesn't want to cross it and actively avoids it (i.e., by climbing up onto tables or counters), then probably not.
We have found effective Scat Mats for training cats to stay off furniture: flexible plastic spikes which dig into their paws and hurt when they step on them; this type of mat can be attached to horizontal surfaces anywhere in a room by cutting small pieces of them with scissors and gluing them down.
Conclusion
In today’s world, effective cat control is not limited to chemicals, poisons, and lethal traps. These days you can use eco-friendly and human deterrents – electronic solutions, motion-activated sprinklers, etc. – while still demanding great results. From outdoor sprinklers to ultrasonic deterrents – there are many working ways to go!
Also, you can always discourage these nuisance animals by using repellents. Placing natural repellents like the peel of some citrus fruit, spraying liquid repellents and sprinkling granules around your home can effectively remove unwanted critters.
You can find further details of Cats Control here.
Comments
I’m need something but will the sound units affect a small dog?
Do you realize that by removing unwanted feral cats you will increase your problem with rats and other vermin, as well as snakes and many other pests that they keep in check? Even your annoying neighbor’s cat is helping you when he pees in your property. That smell is enough to scare away rodents and even some snakes. Rats leave when there is smell of cat.
It’s better than having disgusting cats peeing in your yard killing your beautiful lawn and leaving their piles of crap. I wish those animals didn’t exist. Careless neighbors !!
I couldn’t agree more! Not a cat lover!
That may be true. However, there are those of us who like to enjoy our backyards as an extension of our home. Stepping on poop and the horrible smell especially during the heated summer months are deplorable.It’s so much easier to catch a stray rodent every now and then. Ferral cats and dogs continue to frequent the same areas. Neighbors who have cats and dogs should be mindful to take care of them and not have them roaming to disrupt others in the community.
if you happily came over to remove piles of cat poop and flies, then they’re more than welcomed to stay.
What?
You’re not going to do that? Well, I guess they have to go.
At least there are easier ways to control rats, birds, snakes and other vermin in check. I can no longer have a BBQ or sit I in my yard because my yard smells like a cesspool. Reason, my inconsiderate neighbors feed the stray and feral cats.
Hey stupid, I spent money to have a nice landscaped yard and the damn cats from next door KILLED EVERYTHING!!! I don’t have mice, snakes or rodents. I am tired of my yard smelling like CAT PISS! And holes of cats shit everywhere. Since I can’t kill the cat, I am digging up 40-years of yard work and putting in chicken wire with bob wire. If that doesn’t stop them nothing will
Got that right!
unless they have toxoplasmosis, in which case they like the smell.
If they were peeing on your deck, windows and furniture cushions, I think you would feel different
bull feathers….the cats stalk bird feeders….they’re smarter than you….why hunt when they can wait for the food to come to them? the insects really appreciate having the birds killed and driven away, though.
Why is it cat owners are so irresponsible? If they let dogs roam like cats, there would be legal consequences.
Looking for more of a ‘permanent’ solution. Will rat poison work? I live in SE Michigan and the cats are a terrible problem in the summer.
All throughout the article you reference the ability to find a solution without using harmful chemicals or more aggressive methods. Please list those methods. This article is incomplete without it. I’m not looking to harm the animal but I need a lasting solution that doesn’t require a hose and power. I have a piece of property that is being invaded by the feline kind and need something I can place or spray and leave alone for up to a month. Please elaborate.
There are legal consequences. In most areas it’s against the law to have ANY pet at large in the neighborhood. This has been a source of contention in my hood for the past couple of years. Half of my neighbors now have more than one cat that they allow to wander around at all hours. I’ve even asked that they keep their cats in at night because they awaken us with their fighting and they get into our garage and spray our belongings. They have been unwilling to do that. So my husband got a feral cat trap from the police and set it up in our garage. He has removed many cats in the neighborhood. Most have been diseased and feral cats, but we have caught many neighbor’s cats as well. They aren’t too happy about having to pay an $85 fine to get their pet out of jail, but for some reason that hasn’t deterred them. I think it’s ridiculous that I should have to spend a lot of time and money keeping other’s cats off my property. I don’t think they’d like it if I allowed my three dogs to wander at will. I like cats, but I don’t like rude and inconsiderate neighbors. These are great suggestions, but judas, I have my own pets and kids to spend money on. My favorite is the motion activated sprinkler.
The deterrents that emit sound to scare cats away would be great, but will it hurt my dog?
I can’t stand cats…they are a worthless animal in the urban environment. I wish I could just shoot them..but I would feel guilty. I love dogs, they are mans best friend. But Felines ? Satans little helpers I tell ye!
I live in a small country town where stray and owned cats run rampant. .
Tired of them waking me up at night! Our main problem are the neighbors that keep feeding them and crap and spray all over my property, worse yet, have 3-4 litters of kittens every summer..under my porch! I like the chicken wire idea, trying that this summer. The smell is awful!!
If u own a cat, keep it inside where it’s safe, tempted to use my bb gun at this point! Btw, animal control does nothing for strays!
You all are a bunch of whiners , I just take my PELLET gun and pop’em in the head.
I am not fond of cats. I have tried many things to keep these pests out of my yard and off my nice lawn. I purchased nail sticks and nailed on the fence line where they jump to get over into the yard. I also mixed vinegar, lemon juice and rosemary in a spray bottle and sprayed the lawn. I didn’t see any cat poop, but that was the first time I had done this. Will spray until I feel the cat(s) gets the idea that it cannot use my lawn for a bathroom. The only poop I pick is my little dog’s. Not a wondering stray cat that the neighbor tends to feed. I want my yard poop-free.
Y’all don’t kow what you’re talking about, cats are great!
Cats are nothing more than domesticated rodent! I despise cats! They poop all over my lawn and piss everywhere…they are disgusting creatures. I don’t know why anyone would want one as a pet! I certainly do not want them anywhere near my house or yard!
All you offered with your list are items with a 50% or less success rate and take quite a while before any permeanant results might even be noticed and items that are more of a placebo than anything. I’m not interested in how someone in the suburbs chases away their neighbours pesky cat that runs through the yard 1 or 2 times every other evening and might use their yard for a quick litter box stop on their way through the back yards… Compared to a legitimate cat problem. The rest is laughable…
I was really hoping to find a few worthwhile, fast acting, fairly immediate results, cost effective, realistic, nonlethal ideas and products that keeps my commitment, effort and finances down to a minimum and doesn’t insult anybody’s intelligence….
It was worth a try…
None the less. $20.00 will buy at least 1 gallon of antifreeze. $10.00 will buy plenty of small game hunting pellets…
In less than 1 week. My cat infestation problem will be over and filed in the history books…