keeping neighborhood cats away

i love my kitties, and we have decided to keep them as indoor cats for their health and safety. not to mention the fact that i like not having my garden dug up. we have been in this house 2 years, and they have never been outdoors. my problem is other neighborhood cats who use my front lawn as a litter box- and they don't even bury it! i can't walk on my lawn because it is literally covered with cat poo! we think it's because we have a different species of grass than everyone else in the neighborhood, and that perhaps they like the texture (it's very stiff and straw-like). i want to find a safe, humane, non-toxic way to treat my lawn to keep these animals from making it unusable. i have seen a few advertised, but i also don't want to spend a fortune just because other owners don't keep their cats indoors. (by the way- this is more than an inconvenience- it's a health issue especially because i am pregnant and should not be exposed to cat poo).  any advice would be appreciated! thanks!

[krickett]

You might try spreading some Cayenne (sp) pepper around your yard. I won't swear by it but it's an in expensive place to start.

[Aruba417]

This is a good question...because my father-in-law is having the same problem. He doesn't like cats - period. But his new neighbor moved in with about 10 outdoor cats. They're peeing in my FIL's boat, and pooping in their garden. And he's not one who is concerned about being humane!!!! So it would help ME a big deal to find out if there's a way to keep them out of the yard. That way I can help out my FIL - and the cats! I don't blame him one bit for being upset about all the cats...but it's not THEIR fault - it's their stupid owner's fault. So I'm willing to try anything to keep my FIL from doing something stupid!

[GIJenny]

Call you local animal control

[speedfreak12345]

Call the local animal control.  it takes $35 to surrender at cat. if you're serious make the call.  We will spay/neuter and possibly abopt this cat.  if you are truly concerned about the health of this cat (i.e. fiv, runovers, catnapping) then do you're duty.
Thank you for your help