Nepeta , which includes both catmint and catnip , is aneasy - to - grow herbwith adorable flowers and soothing property . However , masses are n’t the only ones partial of this plant ! bozo famously love nepeta — that ’s why its two vernacular names both include the word " computerized tomography . " However , felines can cause quite a bit of equipment casualty to your nepeta flora . If you are n’t looking to share your herb with the local pussy , then you ’ll need to know how to keep cats out of your M and away from your genus Nepeta .

How and why do cats damage nepeta?

The foliage and flowers of nepetarelease a soothe scentthat cats just ca n’t get enough of . This aroma is stronger in catmint than catmint , but both plant life can become the object of your local , spare - roaming cat universe . The leaves can either soothe or liven up felid , so you could see visiting cats lounging peacefully in the sun or tearing through your garden with heady abandon .

The chief signs of damage from cats are manducate farewell and crushed plants . Cats will chew on genus Nepeta , but they will also roll on unseasoned plants or low - hanging branches to give up the scent . Unless you have a large cat population , your adult nepeta plant should be all right . However , young nepeta plants can be damaged more well .

Keeping cats away from nepeta plants

Here ’s how to protect your genus Nepeta plants :

Step 1 : Bring young nepeta plant indoors .

Step 2 : Place a telegram or mesh John Cage around your plants .

Cats are very dexterous , so most plant coversdon’t intercept them entirely . However , a wire or mesh cage that they ca n’t claw asunder and that has hole too little for a manus to suit through will keep Caterpillar at bay .

Step 3 : Use a favorite - good Arabian tea deterrent spray .

Manysprays hold capsaicinor citrus fruit , which are both irritate for guy and safe for plants . It can be dangerous if a CT ingests too much of either , but big cat are unlikely to rust enough to harm them . As a safer alternative , apply bitter spray mean to develop pets .

Keeping cats out of your yard

If keeping cats aside from your nepeta is n’t enough , here ’s how to keep cats out of your yard :

Step 1 : Install a marvellous , smooth , rounded fence .

Cats are first-class at climb and jumping , so most fenceswon’t keep them out . Cat - proof fences often rely on overhangs , which keep true cat from escaping your pace , but do n’t keep them out .

Step 2 : Keep climbable objects away from the fencing .

Step 3 : Avoid planting your nepeta ( or other appealing plant life , like cat grass ) , near the fencing .

footmark 4 : Spray a vinegar mixture where the cats usually enter your yard .

The smell of vinegar is unappealing to cats . It dry out out plants , so do n’t spray it directly on your nepeta .

Now that you eff how to keep cats out of your pace and away from your nepeta , your catmint or catnip plants will be much safer . you’re able to enjoy your nepeta as much as you care , without interest about find it vanquish or chewed up .