Defend your property from animal damage with the Critter Ridder® Motion-Activated Animal Repellent & Sprinkler. This unique electronic repelling device uses a built-in sensor to detect motion and effectively frighten away nuisance critters with startling bursts of water. The compact design and subtle green coloring allow this device to blend seamlessly into any landscape. In addition to providing humane repelling power, it can also be used as a sprinkler for watering your lawn or garden.
Quick and Simple Installation
For your convenience, the Critter Ridder® Motion-Activated Animal Repellent & Sprinkler is easy to set up. Just follow these simple steps to get it up and running.
Connect all four pieces of the unit by screwing them together until finger tight. Make sure the dial is in the OFF position, then insert 2 AA batteries (not included) into the battery compartment.
Turn the sensitivity knob to setting 4. Move hand across the sensor until the valve clicks. You will hear another click approximately 5 seconds later. If you heard both clicks, the unit is working properly. If not, wait 8 seconds and wave your hand again.
Stake the unit into the ground wherever you’d like to repel animals and adjust the range as necessary. Avoid pushing on the housing as you place in the ground. Use a spade to loosen the soil if needed.
Attach a standard garden hose to the connector. Test the device to make sure the sensor detects your movement at the selected range.
Turn on the water, the device is now ready to use.
Provides 24/7 Monitoring
Critter Ridder®’s infrared sensor seeks animal heat and movement day and night. Every time that it detects a passing animal, the device releases a startling surge of water for approximately 5 seconds to scare the invader away. This conditions potentially destructive critters to avoid your property, keeping your gardens, ponds and home safe.
Multiple Settings Offer Flexibility
To ensure you get exactly the protection you want, the Critter Ridder® Motion-Activated Repellent has 4 available setting on the sensitivity dial, ranging from least to most sensitive. In addition, the sprinkler head features a distance limiter wheel so you can adjust the range of the spray – up to 35 feet depending on water pressure. Use these dials to determine how far and what size critters you want your device to see.
Use as a Sprinkler
Not only does this unit work for protecting your yard from nuisance animals, but it can also be used to water your lawn or garden. Simply turn the sensitivity knob to the “Sprinkler” setting to enable a continuous spray. Once the area has sufficient water, use the knob to turn the unit off or revert to a motion setting.
A Safer Alternative to Traditional Chemical Repellents
This motion-activated repellent deters animals using only water (just 2 to 3 cups per spray!), making it environmentally friendly and great for your lawn. Not only is a water sprinkler repellent safer than applying chemicals, but it’s also more efficient and economical as there is no need for continuous reapplication.
Do you want to know more helpful details about the Motion-Activated Animal Repellent? Take a closer look at the in-depth specifications for this product.
Critter Ridder® Motion-Activated Animal Repellent
Model #
5277
Batteries Required
2 AA Batteries (not included)
Sensitivity Settings
OFF, 1, 2, 3, 4, Sprinkler
Detection Range
Up to 100 ft
Spray Range
Up to 35 ft
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, which are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.govwww.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Love my "Critter Ridder." It keeps all the furry little ones away without hurting anybody. Even my neighbor's kitty has decided to stop using my garden for a litter box. No hurt feelings - everyone is happy now! Additional benefit, the customer service at HAVAHART is excellent!
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Plourde Sylvain
I don't recommend this product
Leek a lot.
2
Aug 16, 2026
Leek a lot. The movement detector works only 1 year. Very poor product.
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re sorry to hear that the sprinkler has developed a leak and that the motion detector stopped working after about a year. We understand how disappointing this must be.
Please know that this product is covered by a 2-year warranty. We encourage you to contact us by phone so our customer care team can assist you with the issues you’re experiencing and discuss the available warranty options.
We appreciate you bringing these concerns to our attention and hope we can help resolve the issue.
Yram
I don't recommend this product
Adjustable spray angle
2
Aug 8, 2026
This device needs to have an adjustable spray angle. This shoots far over all but large deer. Not helping!
We’re sorry to hear your Havahart® Large 1-Door Animal Trap arrived with the door tripping device bent and out of position. The trigger assembly should be properly aligned and operating smoothly before use. Since the shipping box was intact, the issue may be related to the assembly or handling during manufacturing. We recommend checking that the trigger rod and door mechanism are properly seated and aligned. If the components remain bent or the trap does not operate correctly after adjustment, please contact our Customer Care team so we can help with the next steps.
Robert Brown
I don't recommend this product
Mine won't stop spraying,it says ...
2
Aug 3, 2026
Mine won't stop spraying,it says it should be quick burst,mine is continuously running
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're sorry to hear that your Motion-Activated Animal Repellent & Sprinkler is not operating as expected. The unit is designed to release a quick burst of water when motion is detected, not run continuously.
A continuous spray may indicate an issue with the sensor, valve, or setup. Please contact our customer support team so we can assist with troubleshooting and help determine the cause of the problem.
We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and the opportunity to help resolve the issue.
Can't Get It to Spray
I have tried for hours ...
1
Jul 12, 2026
I have tried for hours and I can't get it to spray any water at all. Very frustrating.
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear you're having trouble getting the sprinkler to spray.
In many cases, this can be caused by the water supply not being fully turned on, low water pressure, or the motion sensor and sensitivity settings needing adjustment. We recommend checking the hose connection, ensuring the water is turned on completely, and reviewing the setup instructions to verify the sensor is aimed and adjusted correctly.
If you continue to experience issues, please contact our customer support team. We'd be happy to help troubleshoot and get your unit working properly.
Antoine Ponce
I don't recommend this product
Do not Buy. Becomes useless for lack of availability of spare parts
1
May 16, 2026
Do not Buy. The plastic black connector breaks easily and although it could be screwed and unscrewed, the company does not sell replacement parts, therefore it becomes useless!!
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear about the issue you experienced with the connector on your Motion-Activated Animal Repellent & Sprinkler.
We understand how frustrating it is when a component becomes damaged and affects the usability of the product. Your comments regarding replacement part availability and connector durability are valuable, and we will share them with our product development team for review as we continue working to improve our products and customer experience.
We appreciate you taking the time to provide your feedback.
razrback
I recommend this product
We have an issue with ...
5
Apr 7, 2026
We have an issue with night time stray feral cats and the sprinklers are the only thing that works for us. I added a WiFi sprinkler control to turn water on/off. Works great at keeping them off our deck.
I purchased two of these units - one last year (in the spring) and the second one in the spring of this year. Both worked as expected - until the spike broke on each. I pushed the spike into the ground as far as it would go (down to the plastic unit), but each spike broke into two pieces rendering each unit inoperable. From what I can make of the spike is that it is of inferior quality. The better part of one hundred dollars spent each of two years for a product that doesn't last the summer ? Not worth it. Sorry. Needless to say, I'm very disappointed
I've purchased and tested several brands of motion-activated sprinklers - Havahart performed the best. A major issue is battery life - I'm lucky if they last a week even with turning the unit off during the day. There also seems to be a reliability problem - one unit I have works intermittently. It flashes red (I assume this is a low voltage indicator) and has a strong electronic smell.
When working, they work great.
I know the instructions say to not use a wrench, but for the dial on the top, it isn't budging even with a wrench. It also leaks in two places, no matter how hand tight I make the joints. It truly isn't worth the money or time. And it doesn't turn on every time an animal goes by on 20ft away.
Not used much and now the water won't stop coming out. Its more of an expensive sprinkler that won't stop sprinkling when turned off after not being used much.
Hi my sprinkler runs continuously, even on sensitivity level 1 when nothing is in front of it.
During the recommended sensor test, I did not hear the internal valve clicks.
My sensor is not working correctly. How can I fix it? Thank you
Question by: Jodi Martis on Aug 3, 2026, 6:41 PM
If the sprinkler runs continuously and you do not hear the internal valve click during the sensor test, the sensor or internal valve is likely not functioning properly.
First, try installing a fresh set of high-quality alkaline AA batteries and make sure they are inserted correctly. Then, turn the water off, remove and reinstall the batteries to reset the unit, and repeat the sensor test. Also, verify that the water pressure is within the recommended operating range and that the sensor lens is clean and free of debris.
If the sprinkler still runs continuously and the valve does not click during the test, the unit may require warranty assistance. Please contact Havahart Consumer Care, and we'd be happy to help with additional troubleshooting or warranty options.
Answer by: Walter Sandoval (Admin) on Aug 4, 2026, 9:40 AM
Mine won't stop,there is no setting for duration
Question by: Robert T Brown on Aug 3, 2026, 9:08 PM
The Critter Ridder® Motion-Activated Animal Repellent & Sprinkler does not have a duration adjustment. Each activation runs for a preset amount of time, so there is no setting to change how long the spray lasts.
If the unit won't stop spraying, try the following:
- Turn the water supply off and switch the unit to the OFF position.
- Check that the motion sensor is not continuously detecting movement from plants, pets, or other objects.
- Inspect the sprinkler head and valve for any debris that could be preventing it from closing properly.
- Remove and reinstall the batteries or replace them with a fresh set of alkaline batteries.
If the unit continues spraying after these steps, it may have a faulty valve or internal component and should be inspected by our Customer Care team for further assistance.
Answer by: Walter Sandoval (Admin) on Aug 4, 2026, 9:37 AM
Do you sell the metal spike? I just installed mine out of the box and it broke immediately. I have a second one that I’ve had for years and the spike is bent but not broken. Seriously, we need a better option of the spikes are so fragile.
Question by: Kevin on May 9, 2025, 11:31 PM
Thank you for reaching out, and I’m sorry to hear about the issue with the metal spike on your Critter Ridder® Motion-Activated Animal Repellent & Sprinkler.
At this time, we do not offer replacement parts for this product. However, we’d like the opportunity to assist you further. Please give us a call so we can discuss your situation and explore possible solutions.
We appreciate your feedback and are always working to improve our products.
Answer by: Kimberly (Admin) on May 13, 2025, 8:58 AM
I have bought 4 havahart critter rudders and three of them have leaks in the black plastic attachment pipes Do you sell these replacement parts I bought them in June 2023 on Amazon are they still under warranty?
Question by: Debbie Gruszeczki on Mar 8, 2025, 12:39 PM
Thank you for reaching out with your question. Unfortunately, we do not sell replacement parts. Additionally, based on the purchase date, the Critter Ritter is no longer under warranty.
Answer by: Rachel (Admin) on Mar 10, 2025, 8:56 AM
I would purchase this if I could manually send a remote controlled signal to activate. Is this possible?
Question by: D Cugini on Jul 27, 2025, 6:31 PM
Thank you for contacting us!
This product features a built-in sensor that detects movement within a range of up to 100 feet, which then activates the water jet for approximately 5 seconds. It does not have a feature to manually send a remote-controlled signal for activation.