Hi Paul
I would be very cautious of cat deterrants, particularly if they are smell related – hogs rely alot on their sense of smell. I don’t know anything about the RSPB deterrant so not sure what you mean. But it might not effect birds but at the same time might effect hogs.
The rodent electronic deterrants, for instance, some of which some retailers claim don’t effect hogs, seem to – and in reality I think they just don’t know, because they have not and probably could not do the tests. I suspect electronic cat deterrants might have the same effect. I had a rodent deterrant which used to be put out during the day and one night, I forgot to move it and I saw a hog visibly flinch and then run away from that area – since when I have been a bit more careful.
It’s difficult to know what aspect of the cats is a problem. But if it is pooing in borders, then you could put lots of sticks in (i.e. stalks cut down from hardy perennials, etc.) to make it more difficult for them. The plants will grow up and cover them eventually. The hogs can more easily make their way round such obstacles. Its just an irritation to the cats, not guaranteed to keep them away, but might help.
Re. the dark markings – I wouldn’t like to guarantee it’s the same hog – it’s possible it has just been artificially marked by the same person. People who mark hogs and don’t take the trouble to identify them naturally, could easily mistakenly mark a different hog with the same pattern. I have seen the reverse here, where one hog turned up with even more and different markings to those he had previously – but that was during the same hog year.
