Cats are pests in gardens, destroying plants and posing a health risk with their faeces, and this is an issue that many face when having an outside area.

Though it’s incredibly frustrating for those dealing with invasive felines, knowing the legalities is crucial before using any feline repellents.

Under UK law, cats are free to roam wherever they please, including your neighbours' gardens.

Moreover, cats are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006, so injuring a cat with any deterrent, whether homemade or purchased, could lead to a heavy fine or imprisonment.

Gardeners, however, needn’t despair. There’s been talk of a safe deterrent that “won’t harm them at all” but will encourage cats to scarper.

Frustrated by his neighbour's cats treating his garden as a loo, Steve Mclane sought advice on the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group, positing: “Can anyone recommend a humane way of stopping neighbours cats using my garden as their toilet? Thanks.”

The group's members all swear by citrus peels, particularly orange, as a cat repellent.

Julie Crawey advised: “I seem to have some new resident cats in my garden this year. Remove the cat poo and put orange peels around. They seem to hate it.”

Echoing her sentiments, Mary Vale confirmed: “Citrus peel scattered around worked for me. They smell it and scurry away.”

Nona Maffei shared her citrusy tip with fellow garden lovers: “Citrus fruit peel. I remember I bought a big box of oranges at Christmas time and had them stored in the utility area, and our cat whose food bowl and water were in there, wouldn’t go near it. 

“It took us a while to work out why and it was the smell of oranges so I know 100 percent that it works. They fear the stuff.”

Joining in on the discussion, Lucy Prime advised: “Orange peel. Cats hate citrus and will run away from it.”

In addition to the fruity method, other green-fingered individuals suggested investing in a jet spray as an effective feline deterrent.

Mary Turner contributed her positive experience on Amazon by recommending the PestBye Jet Spray Battery Operated Motion Activated Cat Scarer and Repellent for £28.98, saying: “Get this from Amazon. I haven’t seen a cat in my garden since just after getting one of these. My neighbour has two cats and they suggested this.”

Also singing praises for the technologically advanced scarer, Gerald Henderson suggests looking elsewhere for the gadget by chiming in: “Get this off eBay. Stops them pooing without hurting them.”