Place a bottle or water full of water near the corners, doors and tours has become a visible habit in various locations. Although it may seem only eccentricity, this practice has a curious explanation and an old origin that is related to the presence of animals in urban and rural areas.
Many dogs and cats, especially those who live on the street, end up leaving marks or waste in frequently passing places, which generates hygiene problems and degrades materials. For those who live in these areas, find a way to ward off animals without resorting to toxic products has become essential.
From hazardous chemicals to safe solutions
According to the Spanish newspaper AS, in a while, the use of substances such as sulfur or sodium carbonate to ward off animals was common. These products, intensely smelling, caused discomfort and ended up being effective but also dangerous. The yellow color of the sulfur, for example, attracted the children, who could suffer burns by touching them.
Due to these risks, the use of chemicals has been prohibited, making room for safer alternatives. It was then that in rural areas, a simple and harmless solution began to gain strength: the use of a bottle of water.
The reflection of light as “natural repellent”
The theory is simple: the reflection of light on water creates a visual effect that bothers the animals, making them avoid the place. The phenomenon, which can cause confusion in dogs and cats, is similar to what drives birds such as doves and seagulls.
Spanish veterinarian Antonio Rubio, quoted by the newspaper, explains that “there is no scientific evidence of the effectiveness of this technique, but it is possible that the animals are frightened by the reflection of the sun in water or for seeing their own reflection.”
A popular and risk -free method
Despite doubts about its proven effectiveness, the method has the advantage of being economical, safe and ecological. It avoids the use of toxic substances and helps to maintain cleaner streets, walks and facades, especially in places of great movement.
Over the years, the practice is no longer exclusive to villages and has also passed to urban centers, where the presence of wandering animals is greater and public cleaning is a constant concern.
Other tricks
In addition to water bottles, there are other popular techniques used to ward off animals from unwanted areas. Among the most common are the use of sprayers with vinegar or lemon, whose strong odors are particularly displeased by dogs, and the placement of used coffee, pepper or bark in specific areas that act as natural repellents.
In rural areas, some people also resort to brilliant objects such as hanging CDs or metal ribbons, to create light reflexes that disturb animals and keep them away. Although not all these solutions have scientific proof, they continue to be widely used for their simplicity, low cost and absence of chemical risks.
A tradition adapted to modern times
The success of this technique lies in simplicity: just fill a bottle of water and put it on the floor, next to the area you want to protect. Even without absolute guarantee, many claim to notice results and continue to apply it.
In addition to helping to keep the streets clean, this small gesture improves coexistence between people and animals, showing that old solutions can be reused for modern problems.
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