Help! The cats from the neighbooord have decided to make my front yard a litter box. They are destroying my plants and making my yard really stink! Do you have any suggestions on keeping the cats out of my yard. I would like some alternitives to chemicals like plans. It is not possible for me to have a dog. Thank you.

-- Lorin (Netorcs@pacbell.com), April 30, 2000

Answers

moth balls put in an old sock and laid in the beds may work,i put them in socks so kids don't pick them up.

-- renee oneill (oneillsr@home.com), April 30, 2000.

If you can lay chicken wire flat on the ground around your plants, that should discourage the cats from digging there. You may have to stake the edges to keep them from curling up, and you will probably have to cut slits and bend the wire back to get it down around the plants, then bend it back down so you don't leave holes. It will hinder weeding a little bit, but is better than the alternative!!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), April 30, 2000.

Motion detecting sprinkler set were cats go,A day or two of baths will help them go away.

-- kathy h (saddlebronc@msn.com), April 30, 2000.

The sprinklers are great. I have also armed myself with a super soaker for cat training purposes (such as "get off of that screen!")

-- Connie (connie@lunehaven.com), May 01, 2000.

Whose cats are these? If the neighbor's, plant some catnip in that neighbor's yard. If these are wild cats, kill them! It may sound cruel, but it is really the best way! They are feral cats, and will kill anything to get a meal - cardinals, wrens, your canary! Or your chicks, ducklings, or small children. If they are the neighbor's, be firm. If they are feral, bite your lip, (Really, you have a job to do here! Don't give it a media bite like "fearless leader"!) But in any case, go get 'em. Also, please report back! And GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), May 01, 2000.

I've had succes with cayene pepper in the house. It might work outside. I just sprinkled it around whatever I wanted the animals to stay away from.

-- Cheryl Cox (ccox33055@hotmail.com), May 01, 2000.