On counters, tables, and other low surfaces:
I use mouse and rat traps, with the triggers tied together by clear mono-filament.
Not only does the cat get the S#*@ scared out of it, but they often tangle their paws in the line - dragging it for an additional 10-15 feet. They get so amazingly frightened of the area... It's good for months of abatement.
On cupboards, fridges, shelves, and other higher surfaces (assuming they avoided the tape):
I use 3M (Scotch) clear packing tape (other brands just don't have the proper adhesive qualities).
I run the longest possible strip, for the counter space required, and invert it - sticky side up.
On each end, is a mouse trap with mono-filament from the trigger to a hard mount (tape, screw, thumb tack, or nail in/on the cupboard or wall). I don't use long runs of mono-filament here, because I don't want to come home to a dead cat swinging from its accidental gallows.
Cats hate sticky stuff. When they touch the tape (placed conveniently right where they land, when jumping up), they jump to get off the sticky surface. Traps trigger. Cats fly. Everyone is happy....
Except that one time.... Our long haired cat got tangled in the tape on our highest kitchen cupboard, rolled onto the fridge - picking up more tape, hit a rat trap on the cupboard, fell to the floor, and sat there... for an unknown amount of time. I had to nearly choke her to death, to get the rat trap off her tail (just hair); and she spent the next 6 months with a few bald spots.
---She hasn't been on anything but a bed or couch since. ;D
