Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Kitty Skewers!

It’s the Fourth of July…everyone’s firing up the BBQ right?

Okay…before you think me completely horrid I didn’t actually skewer any kitties, well at least none to BBQ.

Remember my plastic fork solution last winter, when the neighbor’s cats were using my garden as their toilet? Well things got really ugly after the Rhododendron came out and that area was bare for a few weeks, even after I planted they still thought it was their personal litter box. The smell was bad, but the digging up of my newly planted plants in the process is what finally sent me over the edge. I didn’t want to bring the forks out again; they were subtle but not enough so now that we are spending so much time in the back yard. Spikes, I kept thing about spikes as a deterrent. I remembered the glass and nails I saw along the top of the garden walls in New Orleans. Then it hit me, cheap bamboo skewers! They are long enough and sharp enough to make it difficult for even the most agile cat to sneak through the area unscathed.

And yes, I am just picky enough that I actually painted them brown, to blend in with the soil (yes, I really did), after all I already had a can of brown spray paint leftover from another project.

So the skewers, plus the fact that the plants are growing, has meant very little kitty mess to clean up after. Unfortunately I still have plenty of messes to clean up, since the stupid Privet is snowing it’s blooms down on everything underneath.

It’s particularly fun when they pile up on the Agaves.

Happy Independence Day to my American readers, and if you have any skewers left over after the BBQ…

20 comments:

  1. darn kitties!!! hopefully they get the picture. I love that your spray painted them brown! They look even nastier and sharper that way. It's somewhat of an I just stepped on an oversized rusted out nail and need a tetanus shot kinda nasty! As for the Privet ... I hear ya! I have started getting out the blower to clean off agaves.

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    1. Ouch! A rusty nail and a tetanus shot...you really know how to do it up right. Hope you're okay...

      I think when it's all said and done I'll be pulling out the shop vac to clean up the big piles of blooms...

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  2. Good idea! We usually put pieces of bamboo branches on areas where we don't want the cats to do their business. Happy Independence day to you all :)

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    1. When I trimmed up some bushes this spring I tried that, but the darn things actually just moved them out of the way!

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  3. Get out the Shop Vac Loree..those Privet blooms won't know what hit them !

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    1. You called it. I'm going to do just that!

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  4. Luckily, we have no problems with cats. Our dog keeps them away :-).

    Happy 4th of July to you as well!

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    1. These cats are smart enough to know that our dog isn't out there in the early morning hours...that's when they come a callin.

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  5. That's a great idea and I LOVE that you painted them! Our kitties are indoor, which means the neighbor kitties think our garden is their personal privy. This is an idea I am going to steal.

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    1. Glad you found this idea useful, I hope it works well for you!

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  6. BBQ Kitty - Tastes just like chicken! Great solution to the cat problem. Hope you have a happy 4th!

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    1. So you're speaking from experience? Have to admit my mind wandered to that Korean BBQ that Andrew and I ate at in Tacoma a couple of years ago. Some of that meat was mighty unrecognizable.

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  7. Happy Independence Day Loree!

    I like the idea of the bamboo skewers, very innovative and painting them brown, ha, ha! You really are a perfectionist!

    Thankfully there are very few cats around here. In fact I think I have only seen one and that comes into my garden once a week or so. Sometimes the little bugger does his/her business in my garden, but not very often.

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  8. What a great tip! I'm going to try this, we have so many kitties that run wild through our neighborhood, and leave me presents, especially in the edibles bed, which is so not good. I'm so amused that you painted them.

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    1. Oh yes...it would be extra special to have them in with the veggies.

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  9. Amazingly, I've discovered that our neighbors chickens are far worse than the cats ever were...talk about destructive! I wonder if this would work for them as well...hmm...I DO have a whole bag of them from last year...might as well give it a try! Oh, and I LOVE that you painted them :-)

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    1. Yes...this is exactly what I've always suspected! Chickens just sound like they would be destructive. Every once and awhile Andrew talks about getting a couple and I just cringe. Ain't happening.

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  10. AnonymousJune 02, 2019

    I am glad this is still up and visible. There is a stray cat that just loves my raised garden bed, it totally thinks it is its liter box. I have tried everything from vinegar to cayenne pepper to pellets guaranteed to keep dogs, cats, deer & rabbits away. LOL. I am trying your skewer suggestion. Thanks.

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