Need Advice Regarding Neighbors' outdoor cats...

Need advice regarding neighbors' outdoor cats coming onto our property and using our mulch and plants as their own personal litterbox...

It is very frustrating when you pay hundreds of dollars for trees, shrubs, landscaping, etc... work very hard to maintain it and keep the plants healthy... only to have one of your neighbor's many cats come over, dig up all the mulch, and lay a big huge fat pile of poop in it. And I mean... mulch was *everywhere*. Not only am I frustrated by their use of our mulch as their litterbox, I am also concerned about the potential to spread disease and parasites.

I know there are natural deterrents I can use but am not familiar with what is and isn't safe and what is and isn't effective, so suggestions on this would be great.

County ordinance says leash laws applies to cats (owners must have pets under control at all times when not on their own property). We ARE planning on calling AC to complain... and will keep calling and keep complaining until this stops. Apparently other neighbors have called AC to complain about them in the past, but nothing has ever really come of it if they drive out here but don't see the cats.

But in the mean time... any suggestions to help keep them OFF our property and a potential solution to this problem?! We are at our WITS END... I even caught one hanging around in my garage the other day trying to get inside after my own cats!!!!

Apparently cedar chips are a good repellent. Try a few in one of the areas and see how it works. You can always get more chips if you need them.

I just used Google and found these 2 sites helpful:

Read on the far right side, on this one:
http://www.ask.com/web?am=broad&q=ca...4423&l=dir&af=

http://landscaping.about.com/od/pest...repellents.htm

I wouldn't use the mothballs in the above, due to the comment of them being toxic.

I'm sure there are more on Google.

Let us know what works for you!

I have that problem with My Cats as Ebony Beau Two and Scrapster Joseph want out all the time:love::love::love:

I've read about using coleus canina as a natural repellant... smells like a skunk to us when the plant is disturbed, but when it is not it still smells horrible to cats and other animals. Problem is... I can't find it anywhere nearby :(

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Originally Posted by Jessika

Need advice . . . .

County ordinance says leash laws applies to cats (owners must have pets under control at all times when not on their own property). We ARE planning on calling AC to complain... and will keep calling and keep complaining until this stops. Apparently other neighbors have called AC to complain about them in the past, but nothing has ever really come of it if they drive out here but don't see the cats.

. . . . !

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Is animal Control calling the family before they come out? If so, then the family retrieves the cats and hides them. I'd poof the cats or make a civil complaint against them. Sue them for money in small claims court. AS a last resort, of course.

Good point. I am not sure if they call ahead of time, or not.

I hate to trap them and drop them off at the shelter... if they just stopped using my mulch as their litter box, it wouldn't be as big of a concern to me at all. But... I've almost hit them running in front of me in the street countless times as well. It's hard for me to believe that this family loves, cares about and takes proper care of these cats when they are *always* outside.

But... I am going off of other neighbors' stories. I have not spoken with the family myself. However... if a bunch of neighbors are all saying the same thing...

The only thing that will work for sure is a fence. Hey - maybe plant some catnip in their own yard!

I can't put up a fence around the entire perimeter of my front and back yard high enough without looking tacky... lol!

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Originally Posted by Jessika

I can't put up a fence around the entire perimeter of my front and back yard high enough without looking tacky... lol!

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Some fences are prettier than others! ;)

If I can *find* coleus canina anywhere (some have said they've found it at their Home Depot... I've not has such luck at any Home Depots, Lowes, etc... granted, I haven't tried nurseries yet) I'd like to give it a try as it is quite pretty and those that use it say it's pretty effective... I'd rather do that in lieu of trapping and dumping at the humane society, using chemicals on/around my plants, etc.