Ann Lander's Actual Article about Cats

[Guest guest]

Ann Landers

Dear Readers: The hot topic this week is how to keep cats out of your

flower bed. " Cat-astrophe in Tennessee " is the one who started this

lively exchange, and the responses have been both informative and amusing.

 

Bruce H. in Shamokin, Pa., suggested mothballs as a " sure cure. " He

said this will not harm the cats, but will make their lives temporarily

unpleasant, and they will not return. Emil M. of Des Moines, Wash., wrote

in with the same suggestion.

 

Jean K. from Ft. Worth, Texas, shared her " top secret " with us --

citrus peelings. Lemon, grapefruit or orange peels placed in various spots

in the flower bed will guarantee no more feline invasions. Dozens of

others suggested this, also.

 

" Constant Reader J.L. " from Turlock, Calif., said she used her

grandmother's solution -- a can of red pepper spray. She wrote, " It worked like

magic. After two days, there wasn't a cat to be seen. They are fast

learners. " A reader in New Brunswick, N.J., concurred, saying the cats

will lick their paws after touching the pepper spray, and will not want to

experience that awful taste again. Here's more:

 

From Eureka, Calif.: After two seasons of having my flower beds ruined

by stray cats, I decided to use draconian measures. It was either the

cats or my sanity. I set a couple of small mouse traps in my garden, and

" caught " two tomcats. When I heard the yowls, I came out and freed

them. They were no worse for the experience, and never returned to the

scene of the crime.

 

Casper, Wyo.: To keep cats out of your flower beds, take a mayonnaise

jar filled with water, and place it in the soil. If the flower bed is

large, it could take two or three jars. Place the jars down flat on their

sides. Cats do not like to see their own reflection, and when they

encounter the jars, they will leave and not return.

 

Lakeland, Fla.: Get several Popsicle sticks (about 4 or 5 inches long),

and push them into the ground, leaving only 2 or 3 inches exposed. The

invading cats cannot sit or dig in the dirt, so they just leave.

 

Billings, Mont.: Cover the ground with pine cones. Cats hate them, and

will not come back. I guarantee it.

 

Vista, Calif.: Please inform your readers of a 100 percent fail-safe

solution to the cat problem. Buy some cheap screening material, cut it

into squares, and place it all around the area. Cover with dirt. The

invading cats will get their claws caught in the screens. They will

eventually free themselves, but they'll hate the experience, and will not

return.

 

Dallas: The woman with the flower bed problem should purchase a bottle

of turpentine, a paintbrush and a bag of cedar chips. She should then

place a light covering of cedar chips in the flower bed. When the cat

comes by, she should capture the animal, lift its tail, and paint the

exposed area with turpentine. She should then sprinkle a small amount of

turpentine on the cedar chips. This will not harm the animal, but that

cat will avoid the odor of turpentine for the duration of its life.

 

Bolivar, Mo.: I hate cats. They are sneaky and arrogant, and have no

sense of loyalty whatsoever. They ruined my peony bushes, and killed

several songbirds that I loved. When I found the last bird dead at my

doorstep, I took my BB gun and waited for the cat to come around. Before

long, it showed up, and I shot the damned thing dead. I never had any

trouble with cats after that. They must have quite an effective network. I

know you won't print this, but I'm writing, anyway.

 

Dear Bolivar: You did not need to kill that cat. Any of the alternative

solutions that appeared in today's column would have solved the

problem. You should be ashamed of yourself

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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