When it comes to keeping unwanted animals out of your yard and garden, Critter Ridder and Repels-All® are two of the most popular and effective animal repellent products on the market.
But how exactly do they work, and which one is right for your needs? This comprehensive guide will compare and contrast these two repellents to help you decide which is best for protecting your property.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Critter Ridder | Repels-All® |
| Active Ingredients | Putrescent whole egg solids, capsaicin | Putrescent whole egg solids, capsaicin |
| Formulation | Ready-to-use spray or concentrate | Super concentrate requiring more dilution |
| Odor Strength | Moderate rotten egg smell | Very strong rotten egg smell |
| Residual Effectiveness | Up to 30 days | Up to 90 days on dry surfaces |
| Weather Resistance | Good, retains effectiveness after rain | Poor, frequent reapplication needed in wet conditions |
| Versatility | Can directly treat plants, vegetables, fabrics | Best for perimeter and surface spraying |
| Residue | Low chance of staining or residue | Prone to leaving visible residue on surfaces |
| Pricing | More expensive for same quantity | Very economical when diluted as directed |
| Best For | Small gardens, wet climates, direct plant treatment | Large areas, dry climates, budget-conscious users |
Overview of Critter Ridder
Critter Ridder is an animal repellent spray made by the company Havahart.
It uses odor and taste aversion to deter animals like deer, rabbits, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, and stray cats and dogs.
The active ingredients in Critter Ridder are putrescent whole egg solids and capsaicin.
The putrid egg smell overwhelms animal’s sensitive noses, while the capsaicin adds a spicy taste to plants that animals find unpleasant and irritating.
Unlike other repellents, Critter Ridder does not contain harmful chemicals, only natural ingredients that are safe for animals and humans when used as directed.
Critter Ridder is available as a ready-to-use spray bottle or concentrate. The concentrate must be diluted with water before applying. It can be sprayed directly onto plants, applied around the perimeter of gardens and yards, or used to soak cotton balls or rags to place around areas you want to protect.
Pros of Critter Ridder
- Uses natural active ingredients that are safe for people, pets, and plants
- Has no hazardous chemicals
- Discourages animals without harming them
- Can be sprayed on edible plants and is rain-resistant
- Also repels insects like ants and spiders
- Lasts up to 30 days outdoors
Cons of Critter Ridder
- Has a very strong, unpleasant odor that some people dislike
- May need reapplication after heavy rain or watering
- Deer may start eating plants again after the smell fades
- Not as effective against certain animals like gophers and voles
- Can stain surfaces like concrete and wood
Overview of Repels-All®
Repels-All® is another popular animal repellent spray made by the company Farnam. It uses odor repellents along with a taste deterrent to prevent animals like deer, rabbits, groundhogs, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, and stray cats and dogs from entering an area.
The active ingredients in Repels-All® are putrescent whole egg solids and capsaicin, the same as Critter Ridder.
It also relies on the sulfurous rotten egg smell and spicy capsaicin taste to repel animals.
But Repels-All® is formulated as a super-concentrated product that must be diluted more before spraying.
Repels-All® is biodegradable and will not harm lawns, gardens, or animals when used as directed.
It can be sprayed directly on plants or around the perimeter of yards. For best results, reapply every 2-4 weeks.
Pros of Repels-All®
- Super-concentrated formula is very economical
- Made of natural ingredients safe for plants and animals
- Discourages animals without harming them
- Lasts up to 90 days on surfaces when not exposed to rain/water
- Has no hazardous or toxic chemicals
- Can be used around food crops
Cons of Repels-All®
- Very strong, unpleasant rotten egg smell
- Must be diluted more than most animal repellents before use
- Rain can shorten effectiveness
- May need frequent reapplication (every 2-4 weeks)
- Deer may start eating plants again after smell fades
- Can leave visible residue on some surfaces
Now that we’ve covered the key features and pros and cons of both Critter Ridder and Repels-All®, let’s do a side-by-side comparison of these two popular animal repellents.
Key Differences Between Critter Ridder And Repels-All®
While Critter Ridder and Repels-All® share the same types of active ingredients, there are some notable differences between the two:
- Concentration: Repels-All® is a super-concentrated formula that must be diluted significantly before use. Critter Ridder is pre-mixed and does not require as much dilution.
- Application: Critter Ridder is ready to spray right out of the bottle. Repels-All® takes more preparation before treating areas.
- Odor strength: Repels-All® tends to have a stronger, more pungent rotten egg smell than Critter Ridder.
- Residual effectiveness: Repels-All® lasts longer (up to 90 days) on surfaces that are not exposed to rain or watering. Critter Ridder remains effective up to 30 days even with some rain.
- Weather resistance: Critter Ridder holds up better against rain and sprinklers. Repels-All® may need more frequent reapplication in wet conditions.
- Versatility: Critter Ridder can be used in more applications, like directly on plants, vegetables, or rags. Repels-All® is more limited to perimeter and surface spraying.
- Residue: Repels-All® is more prone to leaving visible residue on surfaces like wood, patios, and decks. Critter Ridder is less likely to leave residue when dry.
- Pricing: When comparing similar quantities, Repels-All® typically costs less than Critter Ridder. But Repels-All® requires using more product per diluted gallon.
To recap, the biggest differences are concentration, weather resistance, versatility, and staining potential. Critter Ridder is ready-to-use, holds up better in rain, can treat more objects directly, and leaves less residue. But Repels-All® provides longer protection when dry and is more affordable.
Which Is Better: Critter Ridder Or Repels-All®?
So which animal repellent comes out on top – Critter Ridder or Repels-All®? With both being odor-based products with natural active ingredients, there may not be one clear winner for all users. Here are some factors to help choose the best repellent:
- Convenience – For quick, easy application without diluting, Critter Ridder is preferable
- Budget – Repels-All® is more economical overall for larger areas
- Wet environments – Critter Ridder holds up better through rain and sprinklers
- Treating plants directly – Critter Ridder can be sprayed right on edibles and ornamentals
- Persistent animals – For deer, rabbits, raccoons that persist after smell fades, Repels-All® may work better
- Sensitive noses – The stronger odor of Repels-All® may be harder for animals to tolerate
- Surfaces/furniture – Critter Ridder is less likely to leave visible residue behind
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Critter Ridder is effective at repelling rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, deer, stray cats and dogs, opossums, armadillos, gophers, voles, moles and other burrowing animals. It can also deter nuisance insects like ants, spiders, cockroaches and beetles.
Critter Ridder will start working immediately after application. Most animals will smell the strong odor and taste the capsaicin and retreat quickly from the treated areas. You should see reduced animal activity within hours of spraying.
Repels-All® is effective against deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, stray/feral cats and dogs, opossums, groundhogs (woodchucks), voles, moles, mice, and rats. It works by overwhelming their sense of smell and making plants taste unpleasant.
The animals repelled by Critter Ridder include deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, opossums, armadillos, groundhogs, voles, moles, mice, rats, gophers, stray cats and dogs. The egg smell and capsaicin irritant deter most mammals from treated areas.
Final Thoughts
Critter Ridder seems best for small gardens, quick perimeter spraying, treating plants directly, and wet climates. Repels-All® excels for large areas, longevity in dry conditions, stubborn animals, and budget-conscious users.
Test out both products to see which works better for your specific animal and property nuisance issues. You may even find using both Critter Ridder and Repels-All® together provides the highest level of protection.