Critter Gitter Does It Frighten Wildlife?
Critter Gitter is a motion and heat-activated audible frightening device that also employs flashing red lights to scare wildlife from a given location. The website’s home page crittergittersensor (dot) com as of March 31, 2012, contains images of a raccoon, red fox, black bear, rabbit, white-tailed deer, and squirrel (not sure if gray or fox squirrel) suggesting to this writer that these animals would be frightened by this device.
The search for an effective frightening device and/or repellent to drive or keep wildlife from a given location is one of the holy grails that wildlife damage managers seek. Anyone who discovers such a product would be heralded with fame as well as a great riches. While many products, touted to be effective are on the market, few ever receive rigorous testing under scientific conditions. Thankfully, Dr. Kurt VerCauteren and his colleagues tested the efficacy of Critter Gitter on elk and mule deer.
Verdict of Research
In a paper entitled, “Efficacy of an Animal-Activated Frightening Device on Urban Elk and Mule Deer” published in the Wildlife Society Bulletin 33:4(Winter, 2005):1282-1287, Kurt C. VerCauteren, John A. Shivik, and Michael J. Lavelle discuss their test findings on this product.
The test was rather simple. They took a bale of alfalfa (a favorite food of elk and mule deer) and placed it within sensor range of 1 or 2 Critter Gitters. This test scenario was repeated accompanied by untreated bales at a total of 5 sites near Estes Park, CO. They then assessed activity through use of video cameras and measured consumption of bales by visual estimation.
The results were that that the Critter Gitter did not protect the bales. They stated, “Variability in consumption amounts, though not significant, likely was due to the itinerant feeding habits of elk rather than effects of the device.” They further theorized that the animals could not even see the red lights. The authors concluded by saying, “from elk and mule deer. However, because they failed to protect the hay, we speculate that they also would be ineffective in deterring elk or mule deer from feeding in gardens, golf courses, ornamental plantings, fertilized lawns, or other similar areas.”
Feedback
I would be interested in the experiences of users.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.