Our flowerbeds and borders are bursting to life with early summer blooms, so there's nothing more frustrating than a neighbouring cat coming along and treating them like a litter tray.
The good news is gardeners swear by a 35p pantry staple to keep cats away naturally: white vinegar.
Posting on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Facebook Page, one person asked how to deter cats in the garden, writing: "A cat has taken to using the stones in my garden as a toilet. I hate this. It stinks. Is there anything you can suggest that I can put on it? The cat seems to be oblivious to any hack I've tried."
One person suggested white vinegar, as cats dislike the strong smell. "It won't hurt them, it'll just keep them away. I have a spray bottle and spray the garden a couple of times a week."
Another agreed, adding: "White vinegar! Spray the area in the morning and at night for the first few days, then just once a day. They'll stop using it as a toilet; they hate the smell."
Cats have a heightened sense of smell, making the strong, acidic scent of vinegar a great natural repellent.
Simply mix white vinegar with water, then pour it into a spray bottle and spritz on your targeted areas. Without harming cats, it helps to cover up scents that might attract them back to a spot, breaking the habit of them using your flowerbed as a toilet.
And, it's not just for cats: vinegar can also repel unwanted foxes from your garden. Follow the same process to keep them away.
If you don't have white vinegar in your cupboard, you can buy it as cheaply as 39p from Tesco with your next weekly food shop. Say goodbye to unwanted visitors in your garden for good.
Summer gardening edit
John Lewis VegTrug
Metal Square Digging Spade
 Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism. Â
