Cat poo in raised beds

[cazp]

I've not given my raised beds much attention since September last year and today decided to rake them over/manure ready for this years growing.

The beds had mostly been covered with mesh however one of the beds in particular was full of cat poo (my cat's) which I've removed as best I can but wouldn't be surprised if I missed some.

I've since read online that cat poo is a real health hazzard and that the toxin in it can spread in the soil. It's really put me off of the thought of planting anything in there, especially roots. I now feel like emptying the top 5 or 6 inches and refilling.... is this going overboard?

[Spunky]

I wouldn't worry too much I would have thought anyone with raised beds have got a bit of cat poo in there myself included

[rustylady]

As long as you've cleared what you can see it should be fine

[Nicos]

This question has been asked many times....

Thing is, we tend to forget that when you are not there , there will also be rat and mouse wee ( and maybe poo)which are also a potential hazard to health, bird poo....plus all sorts of wild animals wandering about leaving their less obvious calling cards...

Just remove anything you see ..let the rain wash away any residue, and if you feel still uneasy wash and cook what you grow there.

To be honest, I'd just get on with gardening unless you have a very serious health problem and you need to be particularly careful.

[Snow]

Even if you have serious health problems, as i do, I think the benefits of friendly microbe exposure probably outweighs the negative of unfriendly exposures. I try to keep cats out of my garden but it is hard to stop entirely, so if I find some I just remove it and a little surrounding soil on the same spade and don't worry about it anymore. If I was close to harvesting then I might be more careful but generally it is unlikely to be a big risk.

[chilli_grower]

I did this, to stop the neighbours cats trashing my raised bed.

works a treat.....

[Jimmy]

Ahh I could probably wax lyrical on how to get rid of the problem.
But would no doubt get banned from the forum.

Jimmy

[alldigging]

Grow flowers in that one ..

It is a problem with nice fine dry soil that they can scratch in.

[Dorothy rouse]

Try sticking some 'twiggy sticks' in the bed, they can't find a 'comfy' spot the. I tried this when some local cats discovered the trough where I had sown some strawberries. They stopped straight away, and none were hurt. Ir works.

[TrysHard]

Cats tend to use my beds and borders especially when the soil has been turned - It is annoying to say the least - but as others have said that's gardening - Cats, foxes and Rats etc all over our gardens just wash root veg and wear gloves.

[Bacchus]

I just throw some very open netting that I got from poundland over any beds I'm worried about - that seems to deter them.

[Penellype]

Try sticking some 'twiggy sticks' in the bed, they can't find a 'comfy' spot the. I tried this when some local cats discovered the trough where I had sown some strawberries. They stopped straight away, and none were hurt. Ir works.

I do this - it worked for all the neighbourhood cats until new people moved in next door during the summer. Their ginger cat doesn't seem to mind sticks poking him in the bottom - he uses the beds as a toilet regardless

I use fleece over bare areas which seems to stop him, but its a bit unsightly and needs weighting down otherwise it blows about in the wind.

[Snow]

I had major problems last night. I bought a Scarecrow and it works. But it is pretty noisy when it goes off and it will go off if something like a hedgehog enters the garden too, which isn't ideal. Also if the sun rises and causes a shimmer as it works on IR. But it is the only thing that works that is harmless.

[Jay-ell]

Would allowing a small cat scat area not end up being beneficial in keeping down rodents?

[DannyRam]

I use chicken wire. Never have a problem