Question
QUESTION: It looks like my cat and a neighbor's cat are knocking over the plants to drink out of the water that the plants are sitting in.

Do you know of something I can add to the water that will make it taste bad, but won't harm the cats or plants?

ANSWER: Hi John,

Find some peppermint oil or even peppermint plants to place around your pots.  A few drops in the water will ward them off, but you'll need to repeat since it dissipates quickly.  I've also put some on cotton balls or other material and placed it on pots to be able to reapply.  Cats despise most mints except for catnip.


Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Jeff,

It turns out that it's a possum and not my cat.  It trashed three of my plants last night while the cat was indoors.

Will the mint oil make the water taste bad for it too?

Answer
Hi John,

It should.  Most animals don't share our fascination with mints.  I've also tried using a little ribbon of flypaper around plants.  I made a little fence out of it to deter squirrels.  They hate sticky stuff.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com