Feral Cats

We have a neighbor who likes having feral cats (but not treat them as pets he owns, so no shots, licenses, etc) on his property to supposedly deal with mice. We do not want those cats on our property- 9 acres. If they are seen during the day, we use a pellet gun to scare them off, but we cannot do this at night or when we are away. If the neighbor had not said he wants these cats around, we'd trap and deal with them.

We do not care for the cats urinating under the shrubs, but our main reason is we have left our acreage as a bird habitat and have plenty of ground nesters in the pasture. So I am trying to find different options, preferably something relatively long lasting. No spray, beads, etc that needs to be redone after a rain. Especially because of the amount of ground we need to cover. We want to protect the cats from coming from the north side of the pasture where the neighbor lives across the road.

Here are a couple options that I am wondering if any have experience with.

Crushed pine cones- Easy to find source and probably need to be replaced now and again, but not as often as sprays.

Sonic cat deterrent- sounds great, but does it really work AND are birds bothered by this? It is something we can install by the fence as it is made for outdoor use and replace a battery when needed.

If you have any other suggestions, let me know.
Thank you.

Would fencing be an option? Gene

We have fence all around our property, much of it barbed wire with wood and metal posts. I have tried thinking of anything to put on the fences, such as oil, or a sticky substance, but that would effect all the birds who use our fence for perching.

We want to keep a neighborly relationship with the neighbor. We only have two visible neighbors where we live. But I am wondering since his population is growing over there (they're not neutered/spayed) is ask if he has any favorites and we'd set out a live trap with bait, but release those ones he wants. I'd like to see what he thinks of the idea.

Even my adult cats can get through the top part of a Rabbit fence. Try Chicken wire fence, 3' - 4' high. Add a strand or two of elec. fence at the top. Birds will not mind, cats will not get through. Gene

I think I would get just a bit more pushy with the neighbor.
Point out that his cats are killing a lot of birds, and not just the mice and similar pests.
Yes, have him select a couple of favorites, and this means spaying and vaccinating.
Get rid of the rest.

My guess is your neighbor does not have your perspective and you are barking up the wrong tree. Gene

Thanks for the replies. We've not yet approached our neighbor, so we'll see what happens with that. I do not want to force the issue to create hard feelings. Judging from other people's situations, neighbors will not see your way of things when you create a big fuss. I do wish people knew that some raptors make for much better mousers than cats.

I've shared the fence idea with my husband and he wants to give it a try.

Here is some info for you

http://animallawcoalition.com/randolph-iowa-city-council-votes-for-tnr-for-feral-cats/

http://vetmed.iastate.edu/event/fca-may-clinic

http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/maps/feral-cat-groups/feral_cats_list.html?state=IA