 The interests of gardeners and cats have clashed, no doubt, since the Romans introduced domesticated felines to Britain. For many people, they are beloved companions - but not for gardeners whose carefully raked and newly-sown beds are messed up. How serious is the cat problem for gardeners? Does it affect just a few intolerant types or is it more widespread? And how can cats be discouraged? I have tried or observed various methods over the years. None of these was an unqualified success but some seemed to deter all but the most assertive cats. Now a new insight to the problem has emerged from a project by the Consumers' Association magazine Gardening Which? A survey of 2,821 readers was carried out, then 150 cat-plagued gardeners were asked to try a range of branded repellents. The survey found 84pc of readers had at least one cat-related problem, with 65pc reporting cats used bare soil as a toilet and 19pc that they used gravel. The magazine said: "If only cat owners were neighbourly enough to provide their pets with somewhere to use in their own gardens, these readers would find gardening considerably more pleasurable." As it was, 30pc of those questioned actually owned at least one cat. Of these 43pc did nothing to control their pet's behaviour, only 4pc had a litter tray in the garden. Other major complaints included cats flattening plants and seedlings, using trees and shrubs as scratching posts, killing birds and raiding nests. Half of the readers had tried to reduce the problem, finding the most effective aids to be netting, tree guards and barriers made from prickly prunings. The magazine pointed out that, under the law, cats are classified as free-roaming and as such owners can't be held guilty of trespass on their behalf. The report added: "However infuriatingly a cat behaves, it is an offence to cause it suffering." Various steps to impede cat access are recommended: * Block boundary gaps with prickly plants or prunings such as holly or berberis. * Fix taut wire or string 10cm-15cm (4in-6in) above the tops of fences to make it difficult for cats to balance on them. * Plant borders closely, leaving no exposed soil. * Cover seed beds with netting and protect bare ground with netting or a layer of pebbles. * Protect young trees with tree-guards or fine-mesh chicken wire. * Cover ponds with netting or create a bog garden round the edge. * Mulch containers with pebbles. For the repellent test, 15 brand leaders were tried, 10 with a natural or chemical base and five mechanical or physical. The best products in the chemical/natural category, each costing only few pounds, did the job for many people but some found the smells too unpleasant to use again. The more successful were: * Bio Scat-a-Cat, granules scented with citronella oil (0845 345 4100). One third of users reckoned it worked well. * Get Off My Garden Scatter Crystals, jelly-like crystals containing a citrus-smelling chemical, (01659) 50141. The testers did not find it particularly effective at ridding their gardens of cats but half found it reduced fouling. * Growing Success Cat Repellent, granules treated with orange and garlic oils, (01722) 337744). Forty per cent found it worked well. * Renardine, liquid containing bone oil, (01388) 772233). Half found it effective. * Vitax Scent-Off Gel, jelly-like crystals impregnated with mothball scent, (01530) 510060. One third found it deterred cats. The more effective mechanical deterrents, with prices excluding batteries, were: * Cat & Dog Repeller, ultra-sound device with an infrared sensor, covering 70 degrees, price £29.95, (01953) 881580. All testers found it reasonably effective. * Catwatch, also emits ultra-sound, covering 100 degrees, price £54.95, (01763) 254300. Almost all found it effective. * Scarecrow, motion-activated battery-powered sprinkler designed to be attached to a garden hose, covering 100 degrees, price £69.95, (0121) 423-1122. It could not distinguish between cats and people but seven out of 10 trialists found it effective. Gardening Which? concluded: "None of the brands we tried worked for everyone but the ultrasonic devices and the Scarecrow were the most successful. "Of these, the Cat & Dog Repeller is the cheapest. "Whichever method you choose, clear away evidence of fouling first - this acts as a magnet for further fouling." | 
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