I have recently moved into a new house with my husband and 17-month-old daughter.

Every day I come across several cat poos on my lawn, driveway and in my flower beds. It has got to the point where there are too many to clear up every day. 

My immediate neighbour seems to have many felines, but I also know other close neighbours have them too, so it's hard to place the blame. 

I wouldn't mind so much if I didn't have a young child. I live in the country and my garden is a decent size, so sprinkling anti-cat smells isn't going to work. Is there anything I can do?

Jane Denton, of This is Money, replies: Having reviewed the photographic evidence you sent me, my first thought was is this cat unwell or requires alternative dietary arrangements.

That, however, is a quandary for another day.

The number of pet cats across Britain is estimated to be in the region of 12.5million, so while your query may spark some stifled sniggers, I think you'll be far from alone in encountering this problem. 

By nature, cats enjoy roaming and can be very territorial. This may help explain why a cat or cats keep returning to your garden. 

You are not sure where the cat or cats in question live, which makes everything more tricky. 

However, if you haven't done already, it's worth talking to your immediate neighbour who has lots of cats to explain the problem. They may even have some tips for you, or it may prompt them into thinking more carefully about their cat litter arrangements.  

I've spoken to two cat behaviour specialists to get their take. 

Nicky Trevorrow, behaviour manager at Cats Protection, says: Cats are free roaming animals, so it's not uncommon for a neighbour's cat to pop into your garden. 

While most of the time this isn't a problem, it can be frustrating when they choose to toilet on your land, particularly if you have a young family.

It's interesting that you mention that some of the poos are appearing on your lawn and driveway. 

This isn't usually a natural cat behaviour, unless they're particularly territorial or having a dispute with neighbouring cats. 

They tend to prefer privacy rather than an open space, and will usually choose a spot where they can dig and cover their mess. 

It leads me to wonder if some of these deposits may be left by other animals, especially as you live in the country. This could be foxes, and maybe setting up a wildlife camera would help you check this.

You also mention the flower beds, and if you establish this is being caused by cats, you could focus your attentions on these areas. 

Strong smells such as citrus fruit – lemon, lime and orange peelings – can potentially work well, as does sprinkling cinnamon on the soil. 

In larger areas, you can choose something bulkier like chicken manure, which will also be a real boost for your plants. You can buy large bags fairly cheaply at garden centres, so this would be worth a go.

Cats prefer to choose areas of bare soil to toilet, so if you have any empty beds, it would be worth covering them with close-knit planting, natural obstacles like twigs, or decorative planters. 

Or you could plant with something like lavender, which has multiple benefits – cats dislike the smell, it's fairly fast growing and bushy so can fill up a gap quickly, it looks beautiful and is affordable. Other plants that cats dislike are lemon balm, rosemary and shrub roses.

Another idea – and perhaps one more suited to cat owners themselves – is to create a designated 'poo' area. 

An area of bare earth, with some added compost and child-safe sand, will encourage them to toilet closer to home and prevent them causing a nuisance to your neighbours. 

If you're able to identify your feline culprit, it could be worth chatting to your neighbour to ask if they can do this.

Remember that cats love privacy and secluded areas, so they may be less tempted to visit your garden if they are regularly disrupted. If you see one in the garden, walk towards them clapping your hands loudly – chances are they'll scarper and will eventually give up on making visits. 

As a last resort, you can spray water near them, as cats really don't like getting wet. Don't spray them directly, just a squirt nearby will be enough to put them off.

Finally, as you mention you have a young child – make sure you keep sand pits well covered when not in use, as these are a tempting invitation for cats.

Alex Worth, a cat behaviorist based in London, says: Cats are naturally territorial, and their behaviours are deeply tied to their instincts. 

When a neighbourhood cat chooses your garden as its go-to bathroom spot, it's not random—it's their way of communicating.

By pooping there, the cat is marking its territory, leaving behind scent signals from glands in its paws and anal area to let other cats know, 'This is my space.'

Understanding why cats roam and pick certain spots can help make sense of their behaviour. 

It often boils down to a combination of factors: finding food, following their hunting instincts, or simply looking for a comfy place to do their business. 

Gardens with soft, loose soil are especially inviting because they feel like the desert sands where their wild ancestors roamed. If your flower beds are freshly tilled, they're basically a cat's dream litter box.

To keep cats out of your garden humanely, a few thoughtful strategies can go a long way.

Physical barriers tend to work well. Motion-activated sprinklers can surprise cats without scaring them too much, branches arranged crisscross, or even upside-down carpet runners with the spiked side up can make the area less inviting. 

Covering bare spots with river rocks, pine cones, or sticks is another option—they make the ground uncomfortable to walk on and dig up, but safe for the cats.

Smells can also help. Cats have a strong sense of smell, so certain scents can naturally keep them away. 

Try planting lavender and rosemary or putting down fresh orange or lemon peels, organic citrus scented sprays or even vinegar. 

Enzyme sprays, like Nature's Miracle, can erase the scents cats leave behind, helping break the cycle of return visits. 

You could also use motion-activated lights or cameras to figure out where the cats are most active and focus your efforts there.

Don't forget practical steps, like securing rubbish bins and removing any food that might be attracting them. 

If you know the cat's owner, having a friendly chat could also help. They might be able to set up a designated bathroom spot for their cat, like a sandy patch in their garden, and train the cat to use it or re-look at their current litterbox set up. Perhaps there aren't enough boxes or it's not all cleaned daily. 

Positive reinforcement, like rewarding the cat for using their designated spot, can work wonders and improve relationships with your neighbours at the same time.