Ack! Have you had it up to HERE with those neighborhood cats that use your yard as their personal litter box? Here are some ideas to keep those critters out of your yard.

You will need some or all of the following: Patience, Cunning, Dog, Ingenuity, Ground cover

1: A dog roaming around in your back yard is a sure fire way to keep those pesky felines at bay. This method is not 100% fool proof because there are some stupid cats out there. My dog has had to chase a cat out of the yard from time to time, but over all, the cats stay away.

2: Front yards are a little different. Here you have to be a bit craftier. Consider a motion sprinkler. This is a motion activated device that (http://www.nextag.com/motion-sprinkler/search-html,) like a motion sensor security light, will come on when it detects movement. A couple surprise squirts from the sprinkler should be all it takes to get that cat to steer clear of your yard. This device is also good for scaring away possums, raccoon, and other varmints.

3: Keep your flower beds full. In other words, don't leave room in between plants for the cats to do their business. An open, fresh patch of soil is simply irresistible to the feline.

4: Some people like to put a thick layer of bark or pea grave as ground cover in their flower beds as a deterrent. This does work but is not always effective.

5: Sprinkling cinnamon, crushed red pepper, or cayenne pepper on top of your soil is another idea. Cats don't like strong or foreign smells and will avoid such areas. The downside to this method is that you have to re-apply the spice every few days.

6: Some people swear by plastic milk containers filled with water. Personally I find them unsightly and I've not known them to work. However, it doesn't hurt to try.

7: Worse case scenario you can sit vigilantly close by, then burst out of your house waving a broom, screaming nonsense. That'll keep the cats (and probably your neighbors,) away.