Stray Cats Taking over Backyard

I'm all for the dog thing.....LOL, maybe if you don't want one, you could borrow a friend's for a while or offer to sit while they are on vacation?

We had this problem a few years ago and we tried everything. When we moved and we kept in contact with the new owners for a couple of years, they told us that they installed a sprinkler system that would activate with movement (cats hate water).

get a couple of dogs for the back yard or hook up with the lady that has the birds on the pool problem

A.,
I must say I am a bit surprised by the responses. A lot of people think cats can survive just fine outside, but this is simply not true. How about finding homes for the kitties? If you get them spayed and neutered they wont have the tendency to spray. You can get low cost vet care through New Mexico Animal Friends ###-###-####. They may also be able to help you find homes for the cats. The only solution to stray or feral cats is getting them spayed and neutered and finding homes for the strays. EUTHANASIA IS NOT THE ANSWER. Please visit http://alleycats.org/ or contact me for more info. There are many MYTHS regarding mental illness, rabies, and other diseases. Don't let these scare you into a inhumane decision. They are just trying to find their way in the world… Have some compassion.
D.

hi A.!
get a dog!!! we got a dog. the cats just walk along the wall teasing her!!!!!!

Most pet supply stores (like PetSmart) sell a product you can spray around the perimeter of your yard and the cats won't go near it...

Yes I have heard that putting up some sort of chili powder around your walls helps to keep them away.. I have tried it and it works some, but you have to keep putting it on with the wind and rain.. Good luck..

You could try sprinkling cayenne pepper in your garden area. Other than that you could contact the animal control and get some animal traps from them and then they will pick them up.

D.

There is things that you can put in your garden or around your yard that will keep them out. I am very sorry that I can't remember what but I believe I heard about it from the Garden Guy - do a google on him and you can find his site.

If you decide to "trap" them and take them to a shelter or wherever, my Aunt is the contact person for free use of traps. If you need more information, contact me and I will help you.

You could get a dog but if you live in the Phx metro area it is too hot for them to be outside all the time so the cats will only stay away as long as the dog is in the yard. :-)

put citrus peals in the planting beds. this will keep the cats from using them as a potty box.
i'm not sure how to keep them from coming in the yard.

Get a humane cat trap (http://www.pestproducts.com/cat_trap.htm)

Trap the strays and bring them in to your local shelter/pound/humane society or whomever will take them. They won't charge you for turning in strays (unless they're feral).

That's really the only permanent solution.

If it turns out they belong to someone, the owners will know to check the shelters. Once they have to pay the fee to get their cats back, they might think twice about letting them roam the neighborhood.

I've heard that plants like lavender & garlic can help. Also orange, lemon, and grapefruit peels. They hate the smell of vinegar and spreading cayeanne pepper around may help detour them. Hope this helps!

Try cayenne pepper in the garden. It won't hurt the plants and cats hate it

We had the same problem with cats in our sandbox and had someone recommend a cat sprinkler. Google cat sprinklers and you can get them online. A cat sprinkler is basically a sprinkler with a sensor on it. We just turn ours on at night and if anything goes in front of the sensor, it shoots water at it. It is a simple, humane way of dealing with unwanted animals in your yard! I have to say that it works great!

Call your local animal shelter and ask them what you should do, or you can take it upon yourself to trap them, and take them to your shelter. Good Luck!

Squirt them with a water bottle to scare them away! We had neighborhood cats destroy our patio furniture, so we are not very happy with them!

HI A., I am sorry I don't have an answer for you. I am also looking for answers to annoying stray cats in our carport. They like to claim territory on our cars. It is not a nice smell when we turn the car AC on . I hope someone can help us solve these problems with stray cats. Thanks.

Hi A. -

You can plant lemon balm or lemon grass and place the pots around your garden or plant them directly in your garden. The strong lemon aroma usually keeps cats and other gardens pests out. Another herb you can use is Wormwood. The plants are available at some quality nurseries or you may have to grow them from seed.

Hope this helps,

M. M. Ernsberger
Certified Clinical Herbalist
Square Foot Gardening Specialist

Getting a dog is good advice..or borrowing someone's dog for awhile! lol! My mom had a problem on the side of her house with the neighbors 4 or so cats, to finally get them to go away she put chili powder on the ground. Maybe you could call a vet or shelter and they could have some advice on this too. Good luck!

I'm not sure about the yard, but you could put alluminum foil on the furniture. The sound will scare the cats so they don't stay on it. And maybe sprinkle some hot pepper powder on the yard. Or find out how they get in and put it there.

Good luck.