distructive cat

We acquired a 1 yr old cat 4 months ago and this darn cat gets into everything...he climbs all over my counters, gets into the toothpicks (I've now put them away), napkins (put those away too)...gets on top of my stove, knocks things over....gets into bay window with plants and knocks them over...HELP!!! I am going crazy...I have tried everything...tin foil, newspaper, these don't bother him and now a squirt gun but he runs the minute he sees me, not the gun, but me. He does this mostly at night when we are sleeping....we wake up to a destroyed house! I don't know what to do. Any suggestions out there?
TIA
"E"

Don't Give Up. I Have 4 Cats.. 3 Very Smart And Active Siamese And A Grey Tabby. I Use A Cosmetic Spray Bottle From Walmart With Water In It .it Really Works. I Initially Got It To Keep My One Cat Away When I Cleaned My Lovebirds Cage. They Don't Come Near The Cage Anymore. I Also Use It To Break Up Spats And To Stop Scratching Etc. It Doesn't Take Much And They Never Do It Again. Put Things Away At Night That It Gets Into. You Could Confine It At Night In A Cage Or A Room. Cats Roam At Night So Thats When They Get Into Trouble. It Is Still A Kitten..it Will Get Better.

Wish I had known that when my dd had her cat! :( She was very distructive and was only 6 wks old when we got her. My dd finally gave her away because nothing deterred this cat. We tried the squirt guns, tinfoil, & newspapers. She wouldn't use her litter box very often and ruined a beautiful Christmas tree skirt. We still have some scents in the house when it is damp. I wish you the best of luck with your cat laneytoo!
Hugs & Happiness~~~ Paula