Your first line of defense in keeping cats out of your yard is to make sure your boundaries are secure. If there are any gaps in your fence, you need to be sure to plug them in to prevent access from below. Cats are very agile animals and can jump very high. Normally they can jump a fence, so you should also invest in a string or wire stretched across the top of the fence.
If a cat has entered your garden, it may be difficult to get it out. Many people prefer to use dogs simply because they are notorious for not loving cats. There are several dog breeds that don't like cats at all, such as Pit Bulls and Dobermans. Cats are terrified of these breeds and will run away if they see them around.
Any cat is known to dislike water as well. If you spot a cat in your yard, the water will almost always bring it out. All it takes is a bucket of water or a well-targeted jet from a garden hose to scare it away. After hitting the cat with water several times, he should understand that he must not come back. If he comes back, just spray him or throw more water until he understands.
Protecting your plants is another story. Mothballs are said to be very effective because cats don't like the smell. You can use mothballs around your plants, garden borders, or even along the fence. You can also use other repellents, such as cayenne pepper, tobacco, lavender oil, lemongrass oil, mustard oil, and even citronella oil.
If you go to your hardware or lawn store, you will find motion-activated sprinklers. They are very effective in preventing cats from entering your garden. When you install the sprinkler system and a cat enters the area, the detector senses the presence of the cat and immediately projects a jet of water that sprinkles it. In most cases, it only takes a few exposures to the sprinkler for the cat to learn to stay away from that area.
High-frequency sound devices are also a great way to scare cats, although they are not bothersome to humans. You can find several different models, like those that stay on all the time and those that detect motion. To use this type of device, you need to make sure that the model you have is powerful enough to cover the entire area. If the model you're using is strong enough to cover your entire yard, it should be enough to scare away unwanted animals.
You can also use commercial repellents. Commercial repellents use scents to deter cats and should not be used near food crops. Because of their high content of chemicals, commercial pesticides can contaminate your crops. You can find them at your local department store, with several varieties to choose from, many of which also keep other animals away from your garden.
If you have a garden, it can be very annoying when cats and other animals decide to take up residence there. If you stick to your principles and do your part, you can keep them from bothering your garden or crops. Once you have set the boundaries for your garden, try using water first. If water doesn't seem to be working, you may want to consider another method, such as commercial repellents.
