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Question about the Tattle Tale and the Animal Away Devices.

Q: My boxer sneaks into the kitchen when we are out. He has eaten entire loaves of bread including the wrapper, cakes, candy and whatever he can get off the table or the counter. This all began after we hid pills in bread several months ago. Would the Tattle Tale or the Animal Away device work better to keep him off the table and/or out of the kitchen. We always know when he's raided the kitchen as we come home and he is hiding in his kennel. Thanks Steve."

Answer: Steve and I discussed this. We decided the Tattle Tale was not the best choice for his situation as his dog is not disturbed by noises, the db level is 90 and the unit sounds only for 2 seconds.

The Tattle Tale is quite effective for most cats and dogs, however. I explained how I used the Animal Away to keep my dog from going into the bathroom to pee on the rugs during bitter winter days. Since the alarm is silent, no one else is bothered but the animal. Just insert a battery, turn on the unit, test after 30 seconds by waving your hand in front of the motion detector and your unit is ready to keep dogs away. Or use outside to keep animals such as rabbits, cats and dogs out of your yard or out of parts of your yard.

The Animal Away Pro model uses two 9V batteries or an optional AC adapter. This unit is somewhat stronger in output and has a variable frequency which also works to keep out raccoons, rabbits and more. It covers a fan shaped area at 70 degrees at a distance of up to 40 feet.

Steve decided that the Animal Away placed toward the doorway to the kitchen was his best option as that would keep the dog out of the kitchen altogether.

Thanks again, Steve, for your question. Glad we could solve your problem without causing pain to your ears or to the dogs.

Sincerely, Barbara

Barbara reviews the Squirrel Evictor MB10K and MB100K strobe lights These pest animal control units are mounted in attics or crawl spaces. Home pest control includes these environmentally safe strobe lights that get rid of roof rats, squirrels, raccoons, feral cats and mice. No damage to your building, no poisons, no traps, no repeat visits by exterminators, no decaying animal smells, no harm to the animals.

Question about the Deergard, Deer Scram, Scoot Deer, Deer Chaser, ShakeAway Deer and Deer Fortess.

Q: "I have a deer problem and wonder which product or products will be most effective to discourage deer from my yard. Thanks."

Answer: Using several products typically works the best. My suggestions are to use at minimum the Deergard and Deer Scram if it is a winter problem. For warmer weather, the Water Scarecrow is quite effective. The Deergard also keeps out most wandering animals depending upon the height at which it is mounted. Hungry deer will ignore most repellent products especially once patterns of travel are set. And often even if not hungry, they will attempt their old trails even if there is now a 6 ft chain link fence in the way. (I had 500 feet replaced three years after it was installed as the deer butted huge dents in it the first two years.)

In the spring, you'll find the Deer Fortress repellent which is hung on plants, works quite well. Deer Fortress combines a proven deer deterrent (blood) in a weather resistant package. Highly effective, blood based deer repellants are not 100% effective. Best results are seen when Deer Fortress is installed at planting, before existing plants start growing and before deer are accustomed to feeding in that area. If food is limited or a favorite food is readily available, deer have been know to ignore many types of repellents. As with humans, predicting deer behavior is not a guarantee.

Deer Scram, a granular product spread on the ground, is guaranteed to work in winter, too. "Deer Scram works effectively in winter to get rid of deer. No mixing is required: easily sprinkle the granular formula in any conditions. Apply as directed above in late November or before first heavy snow. Works well under up to 18 inches of fresh snow. Can be applied on top of existing snow cover. Re-apply after 100 days. Note: If snow becomes crusted or iced over an application of Deer Scram, break up the crust and re-apply in the loose snow."

Scoot® Deer is a liquid with microencapsulated particles. This new formula is active for up to 30 days and is water resistant. One treatment has full strength effects that last up to15 days and as much as 50% protection for a full month. It appears better to be used on grass and plants and also works for rabbits.

The Deergard has a built-in infrared motion sensor that activates when pests move into the repellent's coverage zone. Use it with the continuous or motion-sensor operation settings and adjust the frequency to keep out other pests like raccoons, dogs, etc. On the deer setting, it is silent. Mounts anywhere with keyhole slot. The Deer Chaser uses an infrared sensor that activates a light and/or a radio (choose your favorite station or your least favorite) to scare off deer.

Do remember that batteries can freeze. So using a unit with an AC adapter means you'll get sounds even in the most bitter cold.

Thanks again for your questions. We stock these products on site 365 days per year except for Deer Fortress which is a growing season product.
Sincerely, Barbara

Q: Re: YardGard Electronic Animal Repeller. "I want to get rid of the neighbors dog, but will this product effect my INDOOR cat? We do open windows, so please advise."

Answer: If you aim the unit away from your home into an open area, the YardGard will not effect your indoor cat even with windows open. Ultrasonic sound waves behave more like light rays rather than sound waves. So they will be absorbed into solid fences, walls, etc. The bounce back is virtually zero.

I do suggest that you use the AC adapter if possible, at least initially. Use the "on" always position. Mount the unit at approximately the head level of the nuisance dog. To be a good neighbor, aim the unit so that the coverage is only of your yard.

Thanks for the inquiry.

Sincerely, Barbara

Q: " Will the Super Bark Stop (ES-VT-BC16G) work through a fence?"

Answer: Not if the fence is a solid one. This is an ultrasonic sound device just like the ultrasonic rodent repellers but tuned to the frequencies that dogs here. Ultrasound behaves more like a light beam than sound that you hear. If the fence is a cyclone fence or the Barkstop is placed in the open space between the fence posts, some of the ultrasonic waves will go through to the adjoining yard.

Some customers install this unit in a birdhouse enclosure and aim it down over the fence. This will limit the area of coverage, however. Others have mounted the unit to their house or to a tree. The closer the unit or similar units are to the animal, the more effective it is. The maximum range is about 35 feet.

Please contact us if you have more questions.

Sincerely, Barbara

Q: "Is the strobe from the Professional Evictor Squirrel and Rat Repeller on constantly or does the unit have a motion sensor?"

Answer: Yes, the Squirrel Evictor strobe light must be on continuously to get rid of squirrels, to get rid of rats or for other pest animal control. There is no motion sensor or on/off switch. The 1,000,000 Candlepower strobe light strobes 90 times per minute.

Although the professional squirrel repeller unit is more powerful, often better results come from installation several of the smaller regular Evictors. This is due to irregularly shaped attics or crawl spaces. Squirrel pest control is most successful when the Squirrel Evictor operates in a dark, uncluttered space where its strobe is the only light source and where the light invades all the nooks and crannies. The instruction manual recommends leaving enter/exit holes unsealed for at least one month. Squirrels, attic rats, raccoons, etc. are trained by the strobe to hate protected areas: if you seal the holes too soon, the pest animals cannot get out!

Please contact us if you have additional questions.

Sincerely, Barbara