After years of resisting turning my front garden into a parking lot, I have finally been persuaded by the battalions of cat that were using it as their last refuge place.

The only piece of grass in a wilderness of tarmac and blockpaving was a beacon for cats from all the adjacent roads to leave me a little message that I had to clean up and dispose of before I could cut the grass, but not for much longer, the grass is finally going.

I have tried all the standard deterrents, such as pepper, to no avail. I have even tried sonic alarms to scare them off, but had complaints from the neighbours about the noise, even though it was caused by their cats.

People have suggested water pistols to scare away feline intruders, as well as model cats to give the impression that the grass is in use, but I cannot guard the garden 24 hours a day; what is the ultimate deterrent?

Concrete.

I do feel that I would like to put some of the cats under it, but I cannot afford to upset the neighbours any more.

Victory for moggies.

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