Claire Thompson
Chicken wire is a popular method for deterring cats from entering gardens and flower beds. Cats dislike walking on the texture of the wiring, and it can be embedded in the soil before plants begin to grow, allowing plants to grow through the gaps. Chicken wire can also be used to create a fence to block cats from entering an area. However, it is important to note that some cats may still go over or under the wire, and it may not be effective for root crops. Other methods to deter cats include using plastic sheeting, lattice fencing, plant spikes, forks, chopsticks, or scattering coffee grounds or pipe tobacco.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken wire type | Plain galvanised steel chicken wire with 1-inch round holes, or PVC-coated chicken wire with half-inch holes |
| Chicken wire size | 24" or wider, but at least 18" wide |
| Chicken wire placement | Laid flat on the ground, embedded in the top layer of soil, or used as a fence |
| Chicken wire function | Creates an unpleasant surface for cats to walk on, preventing them from digging or soiling the area |
| Additional deterrents | Scents like lavender, lemon thyme, or coffee grounds; plastic forks or wooden chopsticks inserted into the soil; scat mats |
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What You'll Learn
Embed chicken wire in the soil
Embedding chicken wire in the soil is an effective way to deter cats from entering your garden. The texture of the wiring is unpleasant for cats to walk on, but it won't hurt them. You can purchase standard chicken wire from hardware stores.
To embed the chicken wire, lay it flat on the ground and secure it with gardening pegs. You can also press it gently into the top layer of soil so that it is partially covered. It is recommended to lay the chicken wire before your plants poke through the soil, as plants can usually grow in between the gaps in the wire.
In addition to embedding chicken wire, you can also create an obstacle course out of plastic forks or wooden chopsticks. Insert these materials into the soil about every 8 inches (20 cm) to prevent cats from having enough room to move around, scratch, and dig. Make sure to press them into the soil firmly so they stay upright.
Another option is to lay lattice fencing over your soil before planting seeds. The gaps in the fencing will make the area unappealing to cats, and plants can grow around the fencing over time. You can also cover the soil with uncomfortable materials, such as "scat mats," which are plastic mats covered in flexible plastic spikes.
If you want to avoid physical barriers, you can try using strong scents to deter cats. Cats typically dislike the smell of citrus, coffee, and pipe tobacco. You can scatter a thin layer of coffee grounds or tobacco directly onto the soil, but be aware that coffee grounds are toxic to cats and dogs. Alternatively, you can plant herbs with potent scents, such as lavender and lemon thyme, or spread batches of your own hair around the garden, as feral cats may be deterred by the human scent.
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Lay chicken wire flat on the ground
Chicken wire is an inexpensive and animal-friendly way to deter cats from entering your garden or using your flower beds as a litter box. Cats dislike the texture of chicken wire and will find it unpleasant to walk on.
To use chicken wire as a cat repellent, lay it flat on the ground, and secure it with gardening pegs. You can also use chicken wire in conjunction with other deterrents, such as planting herbs with strong scents like lavender or lemon thyme, or scattering coffee grounds or pipe tobacco on the soil.
When choosing chicken wire, look for standard chicken wire with 1/2 inch wide by 1-inch-long openings, or 1-inch round holes. You can also find chicken wire with smaller, 1/2 inch holes, which may be easier for plants to grow through. PVC-coated chicken wire may also be a better option if you're concerned about animals catching their claws on the wire.
Before laying the chicken wire, cut it to size using wire snips. You'll want to cut it large enough to cover the entire area you want to protect. Then, simply lay it flat on the ground and secure it in place with gardening pegs or by burying the edges in the soil. If you're using chicken wire to protect a flower bed, you can also snip the wires to create larger holes for your plants to grow through.
Laying chicken wire flat on the ground is an effective way to deter cats from entering your garden or using your flower beds. By creating an unpleasant surface to walk on, you can encourage cats to seek other areas to dig and play.
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Use PVC-coated chicken wire
Chicken wire is an effective way to deter cats from entering your garden or flower beds. The wire creates a physical barrier that stops cats from scraping up the soil and burying their waste. While plain galvanised steel chicken wire can work, PVC-coated chicken wire is a better option as it doesn't have any sharp or rough edges that can catch cats or dogs.
To use PVC-coated chicken wire to repel cats, start by measuring the area you want to protect. You can then cut the chicken wire to the appropriate length using wire cutters, adding a few extra centimetres to each piece for securing the wire. If you're using the chicken wire to cover a flower bed or garden, lay it flat on the ground and secure it with gardening pegs. Make sure the wire is taut and flush with the ground, so cats can't slip underneath.
If you're using the chicken wire to create a barrier fence, you can attach it to any vertical bars or posts using cable ties or wire. Again, ensure that the wire is taut and that there are no gaps that a cat could squeeze through. You can also join multiple pieces of mesh together using cable ties or wire ties.
PVC-coated chicken wire is available in different sizes, with hole sizes ranging from 13mm to 25mm. Smaller holes may be better for deterring cats, as they provide a less comfortable surface to walk on. You can also paint the mesh to match your garden decor.
While chicken wire is an effective cat deterrent, it may not work for all cats. Some cats may still find ways to access the area, such as by jumping over a fence or climbing on nearby objects. Additionally, while chicken wire is designed to be a physical barrier, it should not harm cats or other animals.
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Chicken wire along the top of your fence
Chicken wire can be an effective way to deter cats from entering your garden or using your flower beds as a litter box. It is inexpensive, long-lasting, and will not hurt cats.
To use chicken wire along the top of your fence, start by purchasing enough wire to cover the desired area. The wire should be at least 18 inches wide, but 24 inches or wider is best for optimal coverage. You can choose from a variety of materials, including plain galvanised steel wire, PVC-coated wire, or enamel/ceramic-coated wire. Consider the size of the holes in the wire as well; smaller holes may be preferable as they can be easier to work with and may better deter cats.
Once you have your chicken wire, cut it to size, ensuring it is large enough to cover the desired area. Use wire snips or side cutters to cut and shape the wire. You can bend the wires at 90-degree angles and create a pattern by alternating cuts and skips to reinforce the edges. This step will depend on the specific type of chicken wire you choose and your personal preferences.
Next, install the chicken wire along the top of your fence. This process may vary depending on the structure of your fence, but you can use brackets, nails, screws, or ties to secure the wire in place. Ensure that the wire is securely fastened and that there are no gaps for cats to squeeze through. You can also paint the chicken wire to match the colour of your fence or surroundings, helping it blend in better.
By installing chicken wire along the top of your fence, you can create a physical barrier that cats will find unpleasant to walk on, deterring them from entering your garden or flower beds. This method can be used in conjunction with other cat repellent techniques, such as planting herbs with potent scents like lavender or lemon thyme, using commercial cat deterrent sprays, or creating an obstacle course with plastic forks or wooden chopsticks in the soil.
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Chicken wire to hold brackets in place
Chicken wire can be used to deter cats from entering your garden. To repel cats, chicken wire should be embedded in the top layer of soil to make the surface unpleasant for cats to walk on. You can also lay the chicken wire flat on the ground and secure it with gardening pegs.
Chicken wire can also be used to hold brackets in place. To do this, first unroll the chicken wire along the top of your fence. The wire should overlap with 8" or more of the fence itself, and the centre line of the roll should be high enough that a cat cannot jump over it. Start at the end opposite the gate and tack down the wire using staples. Once the bracket is secured, fold the wire forward over the top of the bracket. Secure the chicken wire to the bracket using cable ties or wire.
When determining how much chicken wire to buy, get enough to cover the perimeter of your fence, plus 3 feet per gate. The wire should be at least 18" wide, and 20-24" is perfect. If your wire is less than 18" wide, you'll need to secure the brackets themselves to the fence, as there won't be enough overlap in the wire to be secure.
Chicken wire with smaller holes may be preferable, as it is less likely to get caught up in the grass once it has grown enough to remove the wire. It is also recommended to paint the brackets to keep them from rusting quickly.
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Frequently asked questions
First, buy enough chicken wire to cover the area you want to be covered. Then, lay the chicken wire flat on the ground and use gardening pegs to secure it in place. You can also embed the chicken wire into the top layer of soil.
Chicken wire with 1/2 inch wide by 1-inch-long openings is a good option. You can also use PVC-coated chicken wire with half-inch holes, as it may be safer for your pets.
Cats find the texture of chicken wire unpleasant to walk on. Embedding chicken wire into the soil makes the surface unpleasant for cats to walk on, deterring them from entering the area.
