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Including keeping those flowerbeds watered.

Do you need advice on how to stop cats from pooping in your garden? Cats instinctively like to roam, but it can be frustrating when they use our flower beds as toilets, dig up borders and predate on wildlife.

Whether you want to keep cats off certain areas in your garden or stop them scratching your garden furniture sets, there are lots of natural ways to ensure they stay away for good. Some cats may wander into your garden out of curiosity, while others might be looking to mate or hunt.

It is important to remember:

On that note, keep reading for all the effective ways you can stop cats pooping in your garden...

Don't leave food out for stray or neighbouring cats, as they are more likely to return. Ensure you clean up properly after a BBQ or garden party, picking up any scraps that may have fallen on the ground. Cats will relish the chance to eat your leftovers, but may also injure themselves walking on broken bones from cooked meat.

You really don't want cat poop in your soil, especially if you're growing edible produce. Cats dislike wet soil, so keeping those flowerbeds well watered will stop them pooping in your garden and crushing your plants. According to the RHS, cats prefer loose, dry earth, mulch and compost.

Designed for outdoor use, water repellers are a humane way to deter cats and other animals from hanging around your garden. They are safe and effective, gently shooting out bursts of water for a few seconds in the general direction of the animal. It's a known fact that cats hate water, so they'll be gone on the first spray.

Simply connect the repeller to a standard garden hose and then turn it on. It won't spray any water until the sensor is triggered, meaning you won't waste any water.

From close-boarded fences to privacy-giving shrubs, keep nosey cats away by making it difficult for them to enter your garden. If they are still finding their way in, the RSPB suggest surrounding an area with a fence (such as chicken wire) that leans in the direction from which the cat will approach. Alternatively, flimsy plastic roll-up fencing placed on top of a fence will prevent cats climbing over it.

Cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might surprise you (and you probably have them in your kitchen). Try orange and lemon peels, cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and mustard oil. You can either sprinkle drops directly onto your flower beds or soak a cotton wool around it and place at entry points. One sniff and they'll be gone.

Top tip: Consider growing coleus canina (Plectranthus caninus) in your garden. Marketed under the names Pee-off and Scaredy-cat, it has a pungent odour that is famed for repelling cats and other invasive animals.

Much like water-based deterrents, invest in an ultrasonic cat repellent that emits a high-pitched frequency to scare cats. While it may take up to four weeks to put them off coming into your garden, cats will find the piercing sound uncomfortable and leave - it is inaudible to humans.

Ultrasonic deterrents available to buy include the RSPCA-endorsed CATwatch deterrent (£55.99), Pestbye's more affordable version which can easily be propped in the soil (£19.99), and this set of two from Primrose (£34.99).

'This is the first time independent research has shown that an ultrasonic device can have a deterrent effect on cats. CATWatch offers a pragmatic partial solution for non-cat owners who wish to deter cats from entering their gardens,' says Andy Evans from the RSPB.

'Gardens are becoming increasingly important to many birds, such as the house sparrow, song thrush and starling. All of these birds are regular visitors to gardens and CATWatch can help to deter cats from entering gardens.'

Cats prefer smooth and soft surfaces to walk on than bristly ones, so why not try covering parts of your garden with stone chippings, rocks, small pebbles or netting. As soon as their paw touches the scratchy surface, they are sure to leave.

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