What is the best motion sensor sprinkler?

Gardening is a passion for many people throughout the United States. Unfortunately, one of the double-edged facts about gardening is that it can attract a number of animals like birds, deer, rabbits, and more. Many people enjoy watching the wildlife flock around their growing vegetables, fruits, and flowers, although no one enjoys watching their hard-grown garden become destroyed by hungry animals.

This is where motion-activated sprinklers come in handy. If you have a garden to protect but wildlife you enjoy watching, you’ve come to the right place!

What Is A Motion Activated Sprinkler And How Does It Work?

What is the best motion sensor sprinkler?

Motion activated sprinklers are sprinklers that go off when they detect motion.

A motion activated sprinkler is exactly what it sounds like. These are sprinklers designed to turn on when they sense movement from a pest, and typically the movement from an animal pest in particular. The water comes on abruptly, frightening the animal away without harming them.

Most motion activated sprinkler products work via a solar sensor, so they often save energy and many are even designed to save water.

Not only are motion-activated sprinklers ideal for those looking for a safe and humane way to manage animals around their yard and garden, but they are also perfectly safe to use around children and pets. And because a motion activated sprinkler uses water to deter pests, it is also safe for the environment as well.

As with all pest control regiments, there are some pros and cons you should consider when considering investing in a motion activated sprinkler.

Pros Of A Motion Activated Sprinkler

  • Motion activated sprinklers are easy to install
  • Many motions activated sprinklers are solar-powered and do not use electricity
  • Some motion powered sprinklers can be directly attached to your current sprinkler system
  • They are human and safe to use against a number of animals from rabbits to deer, to feral cats
  • Motion activated sprinklers work without the use of harsh chemicals, making them perfectly safe to use around children, pets, and the environment
  • Motion activated sprinklers are often timed to go off quickly so as not to waste too much water
  • A motion activated sprinkler system is a discrete form of pest control that can be placed in almost any location around your yard or garden

Cons Of A Motion Activated Sprinkler

  • Motion activated sprinklers use water to repel pests and some may use more than others
  • Though effective motion activated sprinklers will not always deter every pest
  • Some pests can become familiar with motion activated sprinklers and may become desensitized to them
  • Motion activated sprinklers work to deter pests from getting close to something in particular, but they may not prevent pests from coming into your yard or garden altogether

What To Look For In The Best Motion Activated Sprinkler For Your Yard

What is the best motion sensor sprinkler?

Rabbits can often be repelled by a motion activated sprinkler. 

As with most pest control products on the market, every motion activated sprinkler is not made exactly alike. If you are looking for a good motion activated sprinkler for your yard or garden, consider your needs, how many sprinklers you want, and of course, the surface area you are hoping to cover with your motion activated sprinkler.

If you are looking for a motion activated sprinkler to deter especially pesky pests like raccoons or deer, you may opt for a motion activated sprinkler that not only emits a spray of water but also releases a sound. Some motion activated sprinklers may even include flashing lights to help deter pests that are more difficult to scare off.

Remember that not all motion activated sprinkler products are as equally powerful, so you’ll want to look for a motion activated sprinkler system that works for your yard size. Some motion activated sprinklers only shoot a few feet while others can spray water up to 30 feet.

Also, look for a quality motion activated sprinkler built to last and a sprinkler that can withstand the particular elements of your yard or garden. We also recommend choosing a sprinkler that runs on solar energy. This will save you time when it comes to maintenance and money when it comes to electricity.

So, do you think a motion activated sprinkler is right for you? Then keep reading! We are about to take a look at some of the best motion activated sprinklers on the market for pest control.

The Best Motion Activated Sprinkler, According To Experts

What is the best motion sensor sprinkler?

There are many types of motion activated sprinklers and they are not all designed to cover the same distance.

There are plenty of motion activated sprinkler products on the market these days, and choosing the product that is right for you and your garden can be tricky. This is especially true if you’re not familiar with these types of products, how they work, what they target as far as pests go, and how to install them.

The below video talks in more detail about the benefits of a motion activated sprinkler and how to use one.

We have also listed several of our favorite motion activated sprinkler products for you to consider below.

Havahart Animal Repellent Motion Activated Sprinkler

First on our list is a product by Havahart. Havahart is a brand that often makes products designed for humane pest control options like catch and release traps, sound machines, and of course, motion activated sprinklers for yards and gardens.

This motion activated sprinkler works to repel a variety of wildlife including feral cats, dogs, deer, raccoons, possums, squirrels, and more. It can detect animals from up to 60 feet away and emits a powerful spray, though it uses less than three cups of water per spray. The design is eco-friendly, safe for the environment, and easy to install.

The Enforcer Motion Activated Sprinkler above is a heavy-duty animal deterrent that is safe to use around children and pets. Like all motion activated sprinkler products on our list, it uses a strong spray of water to deter pests without harming them.

The product is ideal for protecting plants, gardens, and yards overall. It is motion activated using infrared technology to work both day and night. It is also designed to repel and deter both larger and smaller animals who venture into your yard.

It is easy to install and uses around two cups of water per spray, with an average spray length of up to 70 feet in diameter.

You can also set this sprayer to spray in a full circle, meaning it can cover approximately 3,840 square feet.

Hoont Cobra Animal Repeller

The Hoont Cobra Animal Repeller is a product that deters a wide variety of pests including rabbits, squirrels, deer, birds, chipmunks, and a number of other animals that range in size from small to large.

This product works day and night and is motion activated to detect pests who come onto your property up to 30 feet away. You can adjust this sprayer as well so it reaches up to 1,000 square feet when spraying, or decrease the spray zone.

We also like that it is easy to turn on and off so you or your children and pets are not sprayed when out and about playing or enjoying your yard.

Hoont Motion Activated Jet Blaster

Another product by Hoont you might consider is the above motion activated Jet Blaster. This product again provides up to 1,000 square feet of protection using a water spray that works day or night. The spray can detect animals up to 30 feet away and is solar powered. We also like that it includes a light for extra repellent power.

The product has a five-second intermittent jet spray cycle that has proven effective in repellent and scaring animals away while also saving water, which is certainly a plus.

Orbit Garden Enforcer

The Orbit garden enforcer is motion activated sprinkler we would recommend to those looking for a sprinkler that is specifically for protecting their gardens. The unique design of this motion activated sprinkler ensures it is lower to the ground and it includes a 120-degree sensor that works both in daylight and at night.

The product works by sensing an animal’s movement and spraying both on motion activation as well as on a timed setting. It includes several different modes you can use to help protect your yard or garden and works using batteries.

We also like that it has over 7,500 activation cycles and you’re able to make the product stand taller if needed or adjust it as well.

Unlike many other motion activated sprinkler products on this list, this sprinkler does not include a stake design and instead sits on a tripod that is adjustable and easy to move when needed.

COSTWAY Scarecrow Motion Activated Sprinkler

Last, we have the Costway Scarecrow Motion Activated Sprinkler above by the Costway store. This product is designed to detect animals from up to 32 feet away from both during daylight and after dark.

The sprayer is motion-activated using solar energy but it also includes a battery for extra support. The product is designed to help you save money on electricity and pest control, while also providing you with an effective form of animal repellent that is humane.

The spray has a number of time functions you can choose from and you can even choose to have the sensor move to a full 120 degrees for more accurate detection.

Are There Alternatives To Motion Activated Sprinklers?

Motion activated sprinklers are not right for everyone. Luckily, there are alternatives.

Are there alternatives to motion activated sprinkler products? There absolutely are! If you would prefer to not use water to repel pests, you have the option of using noise repellents, ultrasonic sound repellents, repellents that use scent, and light repellents.

Remember, just as with a motion activated sprinkler repellent for pests, all of the above repellents are going to have their pros and cons. The best way to find out which type of product would be best for you is to look into each one specifically.

Here is a brief overview.

Noise Repellents

Noise repellents come in a number of forms, and you can even make your own noise repellents to deter certain pests. Some people hang wind chimes or other garden decore around their yard that works to repel pests by chiming or knocking together.

You can also use noise repellents that are motion activated and emit a very high-pitched sound that is irritating to pests.

One of the biggest cons of noise repellents is that they sometimes don’t just affect the pest. If you forget to turn them off when you are working in your garden or if pests meander into your garden at night, a noise repellent could irritate not only the pest but also anyone nearby.

Predator Decoy Repellents

Predator decoys work well for smaller pests like rabbits, skunks, rodents, voles, and sometimes even birds. The most common types of predator decoys you can invest in are bird of prey predator decoys, though there are also larger predator decoys like coyote decoys.

These repellents work in the same way a scarecrow does, and they help to repel a variety of animals that may not want to come around your yard if they feel they will be the next item on something’s menu.

Ultrasonic Sound Repellents

Ultrasonic sound repellents work well for both indoor and outdoor use. They are completely harmless to people and pets and often even go unnoticed. However, ultrasonic sound repellents emit an ultrasonic soundwave and vibration that is highly irritating to some pests.

Something we should note here is that if you are looking for an ultrasonic sound repellent for outdoor use, look for a product that is designed for being outdoors. Like a motion activated sprinkler, many ultrasonic sound repellent products are solar-powered.

We should also note that some ultrasonic sound repellents can be irritating to pets, especially if you get larger ones designed to repel animals like raccoons, deer, or feral cats. Be cautious of using these products if you have pets that play in the yard often.

While ultrasonic sound repellents won’t harm your pets, they can be quite irritating to them and cause anxiety and stress after prolonged exposure.

Scent Repellents

Many people like to use scent repellents to protect their yards and gardens from pests. Some natural scent repellents you can use include the use of essential oils like peppermint oil, citrus oil, tea tree oil, and lavender oil.

Other scent repellents are not as pleasant, but they are quite effective. For larger animals, a predator scent repellent like coyote urine spray can help to deter pests and protect your garden without being harmful.

Light Repellents

Last but not least we have light repellents. These repellents work similarly to motion activated sprinkler repellents by turning on when they detect motion. Many of these light repellents are also solar-powered, and some can even flash or blink.

Motion-activated light repellents not only work well for repelling pests, but they can also work as a form of added security around your home.

One of the biggest pros of a motion activated light repellent, however, is that it is most effective at night and against nocturnal pests. It often isn’t as effective against hungry rabbits or deer.

Our Top Alternatives To Motion Activated Sprinklers

What is the best motion sensor sprinkler?

Some motion activated sprinklers may not deter all hard-to-frighten pests.

Perhaps you’ve chosen to forgo a motion activated sprinkler for pests and would prefer to use an alternative. On the other hand, maybe you would like to use another repellent in conjunction with a motion activated sprinkler to protect your garden and pets.

Either way, we have listed several products we think you’ll want to consider. See for yourself!

ZOVENCHI Outdoor Ultrasonic Pest Repellent

Ultrasonic pest repellents are popular for inside homes because they work without the use of harsh chemicals, they are safe for people and pets, and many people swear by them. For outdoor use, these products can be just as effective.

The above ultrasonic pest repellent by Zovenchi is designed to keep a number of pests at bay including rabbits, foxes, raccoons, skunks, rats, loose dogs, and feral cats.

Like a motion activated sprinkler, this product works humanely. It releases ultrasonic sound waves that deter a number of pests. These sound waves are harmless to people but highly irritating to animals.

The sensor is activated by the motion of an animal approaching and then turns off once the animal has retreated. We also like that it is waterproof, designed to work in any inclement weather, and eco-friendly.

Solar Predator Control

The Solar Predator Control four-pack above would be enough to scare away most animals and even a few humans! This product is designed to look like the eyes of a predator staring from the dark, which can deter larger animal pests like deer, raccoons, skunks, and rabbits.

The product is solar powered and can be placed nearly anywhere. They have sticky back surfaces which allow them to be stuck to trees, your home’s siding, and stakes around your garden.

Best of all, these repellents are completely environmentally friendly and safe to use around children and pets. However, they are best suited for nocturnal pests, and the red LED lights are best seen in the dark.

Bonide Repel All Animal Repellent

Last we have animal repellent granules that work to repel raccoons, dogs, cats, squirrels, chipmunks, and more. These granules work by using biodegradable ingredients like pepper, capsaicin, piperine, and more that are irritating and repulsive to animals and will help deter them without harming them.

For humans, this product is fragrance-free. The granules are also safe to place around your garden to make it less attractive to curious or hungry animals.

It works not only by deterring animals due to scent, but it also works by taste. When applied correctly, this animal deterrent for your yard and garden can offer you up to 30 days of protection.

DIY Tips On Keeping Pests Out Of Your Garden

What is the best motion sensor sprinkler?

Companion planting plants like chives in your garden can help to make it less attractive to animals.

Motion activated sprinkler products, as well as their alternatives, can certainly help to protect your garden, but remember that these products are deterrents, not preventatives. If you are looking for methods for how to keep pests from coming back around, you might want to take a look at some of our expert tips and tricks below.

Consider Companion Planting

Companion planting not only helps to deter pests like insects, but it can also help to make your garden less attractive to pests like rabbits and deer.

In fact, if you have a severe problem with pests munching on your garden greens, you might consider planting more plants these pests hate instead of planting a plethora of plants these animals are attracted to.

Some of the best plants to implement in your garden to help repel certain pests include:

  • Marigolds
  • Mint
  • Lavender
  • Catnip
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • And chives

Many of the above-listed plants not only work to repel animals, but also insects that might feast on your gardens like slugs, beetles, and caterpillars. Some of them are even tasty additions to edible vegetable gardens!

Use Essential Oil Sprays

Essential oil sprays can also help keep animals from becoming too attracted to your plants. You can make your own essential oil spray using essential oils like:

  • Peppermint Oil
  • Eucalyptus Oil
  • Tea Tree Oil
  • And Lavender Oil

Simply combine 10 to 20 drops of the essential oil of your choice in a spray bottle and mix it with water. Spray the oils over your garden several times a week to repel animals and insects.

You can also use the cotton ball method, which entails saturating cotton balls with the essential oil of your choice and placing it around your garden or in areas you have noticed pest activity. This method can also prove useful against insects and smaller pests like rodents, but may not be as helpful for larger pests like deer, rabbits, skunks, or raccoons.

Use Protective Mesh To Cover Vegetables

Quality garden mesh is one of the easiest ways to protect your garden from pests like animals, especially if you’re dealing with them on a consistent basis.

Many gardeners use these types of covers when their vegetables are almost (but not quite) ready to harvest. These garden mesh covers include small holes that still allow sunlight and water through to your plants but keep pests from being able to feast on them.

Remove Fallen Fruits From Fruit Trees And Harvest Ripe Vegetables

Fallen fruits and ripe vegetables are generally more potent, which can attract not only wild animals to your yard in a large abundance but also other pests like flies, fleas, ticks, ants, and beetles.

Be sure to keep your garden clear of any edibles that are ready to be harvested to help reduce the attraction your yard might have to pests.

Keep Up With Proper Landscaping

Routine landscaping and ensuring your yard is nice and tidy can help reduce a variety of different types of pests, especially pests like rodents. Overgrown foliage provides shelter to these animals, which can make for not only an easy meal in your garden but a safe one where they can feast out of sight.

Get A Pet!

Of course, we never suggest you get a pet if you’re not in the market for one, but both dogs and cats can be excellent deterrents to annoying garden pests.

Cats, in particular, can help to deter rodents, rabbits, and even other cats, while dogs are great at scaring off larger pests like raccoons and deer. In fact, sometimes even the smell of a pet around the garden or property can help deter pests.

Is A Motion Activated Sprinkler Right For You?

What is the best motion sensor sprinkler?

A motion activated sprinkler may be right for you if you’re looking for humane alternatives for pest control.

A motion activated sprinkler is an easy, affordable, low maintenance, and effective form of pest control you can use around your yard and garden.

Though they do use water, the chances of this increasing your water bill by too much is low. We also like that a motion activated sprinkler is chemical-free, safe for the environment, and harmless to the animals it is designed to deter.

So, what do you think about a motion activated sprinkler for your property? Would you invest in one of these products?

Tell us why or why not in the comment section below. Thanks for reading!

What is the best motion sensor sprinkler?
What is the best motion sensor sprinkler?

Do motion sensor sprinklers work?

Motion-detecting sprinklers are a humane and cost-effective way to keep animals out of your garden. Instead of using harmful chemicals that can make your garden unsafe for pets, these units spray water at creatures when they approach. It is a highly effective deterrent.

What is motion activated sprinkler?

The Orbit Yard Enforcer Motion-activated Sprinkler protects landscapes and gardens from animals and pests. A powerful combination of spray, motion and noise not only acts as a deterrent to scare off animals, but also conditions them to stay away from the enforced area.

Do Motion activated sprinklers work for cats?

Motion-activated sprinklers When a cat enters the infra-red field, the sprinkler shoots out a burst of water for a few seconds in the general direction of the animal. The effect is to frighten the cats rather than soak them and they will quickly learn not to enter the area.