5.0 out of 5 stars working almost too well...good reviews but words of caution

J.M.P. · May 20, 2011

No doubt this stuff at least initially works like a charm, but I do have some cautions to share from my mistakes. Ok, 9 out of 10 of you will read this review and go well, duh lady. This review is for the tenth person who may be overeager, overly efficient or just trying to get stuff done in the five minutes they have without a preschooler clinging on to them.I haven't had this stuff down for more than three hours but let me tell you the dogs in the neighborhoor were howling after my overdose application and there has not been a squirrel, chipmunk or bird in my yard for over 3 hours--and that is a really big deal because usually it looks like a wildlife sanctuary. While I did have good enough logic to wear gloves and do this application on a day with a gentle breeze when the neighbors would not be home, I did overdo it a little. When you first apply the stuff it smells like garlic and hot pepper wax, not appealing but tolerable and you become immune to the odor as you apply it pretty quickly. It takes a few minutes for the true sulfury stench of rotten eggs to kick in (about the time it took me to give a very healthy dose to all my gardens and the permiter of my lawn and in every chipmunk, vole hole in the yard.) Had I known how revolting that kick up smell would have been I probably would have done the yard in small doses instead of one kill. Also, despite wearing gloves it got on me just a little as I sprayed. One hour later and four shampoos I can still smell the stuff in my hair. So here are my aftermath probably obvious words of wisdom1. If you need to apply alot or have close neighbors. If you value your neighbors wait until they are not home or at least warn them.2. A little at a time is a better way to go3. Don't do this when you need close human contact with someone, like before a big party or a job interview.4. Wear clothes you can burn or bleach the stink out of and wear a hat and put long hair back.5. If there are any wild animals you actually like in your yard keep this stuff clear from them (i.e. a pet bunny or birds you feed)--My indoor hamster seems pretty on edge.6. This might actually repel bigger animals like your cat or dog, as it definitely upset the neighbors dog who was a good 3,000 square feet away.7. Keep the windows closed and do this on a day where there is a light breeze so it doesn't permeate for long.So, after about an hour the yucky smell is gone and there are still no animals who dare enter my yard and honestly even if I have to apply it (a little at a time) on the real problem areas several times over the summer I will be a very happy camper. Also delighted that the stuff is organic so while the neighbors dogs won't be visiting my yard anytime soon, if they do I won't be hurting them.Follow Up: This stuff does need to be applied again after a heavy rain. It seems to have the longest impact on things like pea plants or that an animal would actually try to eat. This isn't a miracle in all regards but I still contend its one of the best offerings on the natural side that I have ever tried and the first few days it certainly has a huge impact.

5.0 out of 5 stars Skunk problem 🦨

R. · September 25, 2024

There was leakage from the bottle but it came wrapped in plastic. You can just put gloves on before using. We had a family of skunks living under our deck and the skunks would spray every night. We went out on our deck every night and have animals, so we couldn’t risk them possibly spraying us or our animal. We did wait until the baby skunks got bigger before we did this because I felt bad and actually was happy to see skunks out our back door every night minus the smell. I got this spray and within the week the family of skunks relocated. Miss the little guys but the spray works.

4.0 out of 5 stars Helps allot (not totally) with our cat problem

L.D.S. · September 15, 2023

We have up to 5 cats invading our property at night. None of them ours, all of them are wonderful. Some are actively hunting mice and Pikachus. That is, they are a bonus for us, if I choose to be a Pollyanna, or "the glass is half full guy". However, a couple of the males have taken to spraying my expensive lumber, our vehicle tires, and MY MOTORCYCLE! It's especially bad during the females' heat cycle. Grrrr!!!! So we tried this product along with others during these past months.At first I threw every product we purchased out in the areas most effected by the cats and immediately they were driven away. No more free rodent control... We also quickly learned that the finely powdered cayenne pepper products and the like could be like a mild pepper spray when the wind swirled in our driveway. That caused ourselves some mild grief. Eventually I tried just one product at a time to see which best suited our needs.THIS Bonide liquid product could be sprayed precisely where you wanted it. And it stayed there regardless of any winds. It works for only days in between applications. We learned that rain washes it away. And that it stained my motorcycle covers and some other items. However, it indeed worked - at first. I have security camera "footage" of how well it worked, however, I'm reluctant to share that footage as it has sensitive information in it. The cats stopped precisely at the barrier I created around my motorcycle and lumber pile. It didn't cause them any harm or grief, they just didn't want to be in that area. Kind of like a human not wanting to hang around sewage ponds to socialize. I did not want to harm those beautiful cats, but I didn't want my property to be their breeding grounds where they howled and sprayed and pooped everywhere each night... after night... Bonide helped us. Just like they help us with many of our garden needs.Over time, I learned to use just enough to protect our important areas and the stuff within, but not too much to drive away our free rodent control in totality. When the heat cycles arrive however, I use everything every where to drive them all away.Yes, it stinks. It is quite a mix of strong odors. However it is not so strong that we need to close our windows at night. The smell is a small price to pay for protecting our expensive stuff and allowing us a better nights sleep.HOWEVER... over time, some cats became used to it, returned, and stayed. One cat even got up on the seat of my motorcycle and sprayed on the seat and other sensitive areas (luggage and electronics). If I were to protect just my lumber and motorcycle general areas, I would need 4 gallons a months minimum. And that is allot of money. It would take $120 to $150 a month to protect just my driveway area near the garage door. Plus tax. I doubt my neighbors would pay that for us. Therefore, this product has very low "value". For as often as I need to use it in the long run, it is way overpriced.I have learned that the males are the most likely to be driven away, except during the heat cycle. And, several females completely ignore product now after several months. What now to do with those truly wonderful animals? At least we can use Bonide's pelletized product and cayenne pepper dust in the garden soil.