How do I control Neighbors cats?

Louie, I don't exactly understand where the cats are digging up your yard. If they are using a flower bed that is a contained area, then you could put down chicken wire, break up pine cones and scatter them around, put pea gravel down, anything that is bothersome to cat's feet when they want to cover up their business. If they are just out in the middle of your yard, keep a sprinkler going. They do not like wet feet. Good luck.

Go to your local pet store, they have products and advice for you.

Scatter moth balls in the area.

Sprinkle black pepper around that area.

My parents fostered a feral cat colony and after listening to their stories it became clear to me that "cat's gonna do what cat's gotta do". The colony started using the planting beds near the house. The folks thought putting in river rock would stop the cats and improve curb appeal. Win/Win right? Not so much. The cats continued to poop in the same areas but left their business uncovered because they couldn't move the rocks.

I would recommend a motion sensor water sprinkler. Scarecrow is a well known brand but there are similar less expensive brands. They work very, very well at shooing away critters. I had one near my fishpond to frighten off raccoons and it did a great job.

Here are some pros and cons.

*Very mobile. They have a lawn spike and are easy to move around your yard.

*Targeted. By adjusting the sensor and the impact style sprayer, you can provide protection in large or small areas.

*Always on guard. As long as you change the sensor battery and have running water it will do it's job.

*Indiscriminate scare tactics. You and your friends will get sprayed if you forget it's there and get too close.

*Can't use in freezing weather. You have to pack it up when you D.C. all your other hoses. (However If your climate has some winter season warming trends you can mount a sneak attack and set it up for the day)

I can guarantee these will keep the cats away. You also get the enjoyment of a few bedtime chuckles when you hear it start up and clack/spray at nighttime prowlers.

If they are using places you don't have to mow, you could try laying chicken wire or some similar wire down? It wouldn't be noticeable, relatively cheap & easy to change or move when you wanted to. Or even using the larger landscape rock? I wouldn't do a lot or spend a lot right away. Just pick a spot or several they seem to favor most & test to see what works. May help to know if you clean out what is already there first if you haven't already. There are commercial repellants, too, but you have to reapply periodically or after a rain. Probably be expensive as well as a nusiance. I don't like the electric barrier systems used to keep your own pets in. If they do get out, but get zapped doing it, they tend to stay out. Defeats the whole purpose. But If It worked, you could keep the cats out of your entire yard. Maybe:) Deginitely expensive & requires maintenance, though. Extra trimming around poles when you mow. I would assume keeping shrubs or anything else from touching the wires & shorting it out so it doesn't work. And maybe a need for tying warning flags on the wire so a human won't trip & fall or get zapped? Besides the cats learning to simply jump over it. If it was me, I would go buy some chicken wire to try first. Try some flat on the ground first. If they still use it, elevate it a few inches so they feel that wire more when they walk on it. Good luck!

I ordered a sprinkler with a motion sensor. Thank You for all the feedback.