Fixit: Garden shouldn't be animals' litter box

By Karen Youso, Star Tribune

Last update: September 9, 2007 - 3:39 PM

Q Raccoons and neighborhood cats defecate next to or in our garden. We have tried deterring them with piles of twigs and pinecones; some of them still went on top of them, some went next to them. Is there something we can plant or something we can put there to get them to stop using my garden as their litter box?

A It's important to stop this activity. Working in soil where cats and raccoons urinate and defecate exposes you to infectious diseases and organisms such as ringworm, hookworm, toxoplasmosis and others. Health officials recommend that you remove the piles of brush with a shovel, place them in a plastic bag, seal it and discard it in the garbage. Wear gloves.

Then:

• Talk with your neighbors about the nuisance the pets have become. Often it just takes a friendly request on your part. Veterinarians and other animal-care experts agree that cats don't need to go outdoors. In fact, it's safer for the cat if it doesn't roam.

• Cover the area, if possible, with wire fencing to keep them out.

• Spray the perimeter with animal repellent available at pet, garden or hardware stores. It will need to be reapplied regularly because it washes away.

• Consider setting up a ScareCrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler. The battery-powered device detects motion, briefly squirting water from a pulsating sprinkler head. The combination of sudden noise, motion and the water jet startles the intruder. Eventually, animals learn to avoid your yard. The device can be deactivated by a switch on the unit so you can use the yard without setting it off. It covers about 1,200 square feet and costs about $90. For stores selling the ScareCrow, contact the manufacturer, Conteck, at 1-800-767-8658, or at www.scatmat.com.

Coffee stain on carpet

Q How do I get a coffee stain out of white carpet? I tried Resolve Stain Remover, but the stain is still visible.

A Try again with another stain remover such as Spot Shot, available at hardware, home and discount stores. Follow label directions. If that doesn't work, call a carpet professional to clean the carpet or to replace the stained area.

Send your questions to Fixit in care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488, or call 612-673-9033, or e-mail fixit@startribune.com. Past columns are available at www.startribune.com/fixit. Sorry, Fixit cannot supply individual replies.