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I see what looks like a plastic water bottle right by my backyard shrub. I do not litter my own backyard! I am sure it was tossed on my side by my backyard neighbor's daughter (about 13 y.o.) or her friends. This is the 3rd time I found garbage tossed on my side. Before it was an empty soda can and once it was an empty juice box. The other 2 times I just tossed it back on their side. They have a fence on their side, but it's not a solid fence, you can put your hand through it.
There were people in their backyard now when I saw the bottle. I was planning on putting a note on the plastic bottle: "Stop throwing your garbage in my yard ~ This is the 3rd time" and tossing it back in their yard once again.
I don't want a "contfrontation" with the daughter and her friends. I want the father or mother to find the bottle with my note (when she's in school hopefully) and know about this problem.
What would YOU do??? Thanks!!!

I'd go over and talk to the parents. Calmly. I did it when neighbors kids were playing in my rocks. We have them on two sides by the street. I know it's tempting but Its my property.
I told one neighbor (single Dad) with the son standing there if I caught him doing it again I'd go to his house and take some of his property. (Winked at the Dad) The Dad agreed and told me what to be sure and take, and it didn't happen again!!
Good luck. i
I'm sure you are going to read lots of ideas about this!!!

Yes, don't accuse the youngsters of doing it...they may be quite innocent. But, do speak to the parents just advising them that when there is a crowd in the backyard debris seems to be finding its way over the fence. So a talk with the young ones might cure the problem.

Once young kids have you on their radar you can be in for trouble. I'm not so sure I would say
anything yet. (maybe catch them in the act) Trouble with neighbors can last for years & make your life unhappy. I have a neighbor that dug a three foot hole next to my spruce tree & the thing has been on the decline ever since. I still
talk with them...its just not worth the constant
tension to me when I want to be outside & relaxed.

I'm not sure either. I do know that if one of my kids threw trash anywhere, I would want to know so I could make them clean it up.

I agree that if you get on the bad side of these kids, things could get much worse! Kids this age can be so vindictive!!

We have the same issue with people allowing their dogs to dump in our yard, or even in our parking strip. My DH waits until he catches them in the act, and asks them (in a very friendly tone) to please pick up after themselves.

Although it is irritating, in the grand scheme of things, this is only the 3rd time, so it's not like tons of trash every day. I would probably wait until I actually witness them doing it, and with a great big smile, ask them to pick it up. JMHO

I'm a big chicken also....I just pick up the trash the teenagers or drivers "drop" along my front yard and sigh....Those cigarette b*tts worry me most. What if a fire starts?
I'm afraid of making the problem worse, especially with kids and teenagers, who just may litter more if they know it irritates you.
Maybe if I actually catch them in the act?
I know that yours is in the BACK yard, but I'd still be cautious unless you see them right when it happens.

I solved the problem this time! I went outside at 7:20 PM to see what it is in my yard. It was a water bottle I never saw before. As luck would have it, the girl was still outside with her girlfriend. I watched them a couple of minutes through the fence and they didn't even see me there. I finally said "excuse me, is this yours" (holding out the water bottle) First the girl said "No", but by the way her friend turned around with her back to me, I felt her friend was guilty. I said "it's not mine, and I've seen a soda can and juice box there before too. Don't put anything there". The girl said okay & came over and took the water bottle from me!!! Problem solved with no drama at all!!!!
If I ever see more garbage in my backyard in the summertime and people are out there, I am going to go over and ask if it's their's cause it "definitely is not mine"!
I was nervous, but I put my big girl pants on and acted like the adult I am!!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Waverider ;),