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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Dave
I don't recommend this product
Initially I was thrilled with ...
3
Jan 9, 2025
Initially I was thrilled with the results. I had been getting raccoons ripping up my lawn and it worked wonderfully in keeping these pests away. Alas, this has now stopped. This morning I awoke to find my lawn ripped to shreds. I could not understand this as the damage was done right in front of the sprinkler itself. It was turned on, and so was the water supply so I stood in front of it and nothing happened. No wonder the raccoons had such fun last night. It lasted maybe three months and then kaput so be forewarned with this tool. Prior to last night I would have written a glowing recommendation but that is not happening now. It's a shame because it was effective but I cannot be replacing these every two to three months. On to the next solution whatever that is.
I have several of these units, and shared the issues described in the other reviews. I solved the short battery life issue by connecting each unit (I have 3 guarding my pond) to a 3V power supply. The units not working, or not turning off, were due to “rust” in my water, solved by adding an inline water filter. I also found cleaning the sensor to be helpful.
I have two of these and they have worked well as a deer deterrent on my property. One of those recently broke and could not be repaired and when I contacted the company they sent out a brand new one with no questions ask.
Only getting three stars because of the claim to work for small birds being false.
I purchased this product to keep some dark eyed juncos from eating all my newly sowed grass seed. No matter what sensitivity I set it at, the IR motion detector would not sense these birds, even when landing near it.
It does get three stars because I still managed to get it to “work” by placing it so that the sensor would face the road, in which case the vehicles would trigger the sprinkler. Not ideal as it is triggered more often than it’s supposed to be, but it is keeping the birds off my yard. So, if you are looking at this product for keeping smaller birds away and don’t have something like traffic to trigger it periodically, look at alternative measures.
In saying all this, I believe it would sense anything the size of a cat or larger, so I think if you’re trying to keep larger animals out of your garden, you would love this product.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Easy to adjust
- Decent quality
Cons:
- Does not sense small birds as advertised
- power of spray can dislodge from loose soil, but that’s to be expected. I’d rather have water that comes out with force and shoots the 30’ than a product that stays put in loose soil and barely dribbles water.
The results have been mixed. There are 3 neighborhood cats that urinate on my front porch and plants. It has worked to make 2 of them stay away, but there is a white one that the sensor never detects. Last night this white cat literally turned and urinated on the sprinkler. is there a reason why this cat cannot be detected?
Great idea . Poor product. Worked great for about 8 weeks. Started to have short battery life. Replaced batteries over the next three weeks. Found unit does not shut off in the off position. When in selected mode one or two or three or four seems to make no change in sensitivity. So it sprinkles for no reason on and off. Hope to return this poor product and Havahart will have a heart.
Thank you for sharing this feedback. We're sorry to hear that this happened with your unit. It has a 30 day return policy and is covered under a two year replacement policy. Reach out to us via the Contact Us page for assistance.
2Bucks
I don't recommend this product
This product works as described, but...
3
Aug 13, 2023
This product works as described, and is not difficult to set up. It is effective in chasing off unwanted animals.
However, ours quit working approximately 1 year after purchase, and the product was not in use over the winter as we are in an area that freezes in winter.
This sprayer really works! I had a really bad cat and squirrel problem until I got this. Turns out that most nuisance animals don't like getting hosed down day or night!!
Bought one used, yard sale. Wasn't sure it would work - it does! It's awesome! Need another - worth paying full price! No more stray cats! No more creepy neighbor nosing around either! Bonus! Works day and night on 2 AA batteries and a garden hose. Easy to set the range. Quality product! I have peace of mind now! Thank you!!!!
Recommended as a non-chemical intervention for nightly deer feeding damage.
5
Aug 31, 2022
An improved design in comparison with similar item you have sold in the past. Is deemed effective for deer nightly feeding damage if set up with regularity each pm.
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
Can the rotation of the spray head be controlled? I do not want 360 degree rotation because there is pedestrian traffic
Question by: Kathleen Tulevski on Mar 21, 2025, 3:04 PM
Thank you for your question!
In this case, the rotation cannot be manually controlled, but you can adjust the sensor sensitivity at the back of the device with the following settings: Off, 1, 2, 3, 4, and Sprinkler. Adjusting the sensitivity may help direct the spray more effectively.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us!
Answer by: Melissa on Mar 21, 2025, 5:56 PM
Can this work if the water supply is a rain barrel ?
Question by: Jim on Apr 27, 2019, 8:00 PM
For this product to function best, it needs a pressurized water source. PSI of the Spray Away should be between 25 and 80.
Answer by: Woodstream (Admin) on Apr 28, 2019, 8:00 PM
The sprinkler goes off every few seconds, regardless of the sensitivity setting.
Question by: Art Kendall on Apr 4, 2025, 6:09 PM
Thank you for reaching out to us regarding your sprinkler issue. If the sprinkler is going off every few seconds despite adjusting the sensitivity setting, it may require some troubleshooting.
For assistance, please give us a call at 1-855-542-8242. Our customer service team is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM EST, to help with troubleshooting and warranty information.
We look forward to helping you resolve this issue.
Answer by: Kimberly (Admin) on Apr 10, 2025, 10:22 AM
Why can’t you ship to Colorado?
Question by: Bill Hougland on Nov 3, 2024, 6:47 PM
Due to federal restrictions and laws from that state.
