FAQ

It works with the electrical wiring in your home. The electrical wiring inside your home already has an existing field surrounding it. When Riddex® is plugged in, it pulses this field. It doesn't really add to or take away from the field - just pulses it.

Rodents like to live and nest inside the walls. They feel the pulse and don't like it, so it drives them out. This means that if there is an infestation of rodents, the consumer WILL see more during the first four weeks or so, because the Riddex® is helping drive them out of the walls.

We recommend using traps, glue boards, etc. the first few weeks to help clean up the initial problem. As with any pest management technique, no one method is completely effective, and a program of integrated management involving a variety of techniques and practices is most likely to provide the desired results.

We recommend plugging the unit into an outlet in a central location for a single level home of 2000 square feet or less (1000 square feet for Riddex® Plus). If the home is single level and over 2000 square feet, we recommend plugging a unit in at both ends of the home. If the home has multiple levels, we recommend one per level. Plug them in at opposite ends of the home in a staggered effect.

Since the Riddex® unit is not ultrasonic, it doesn't make any difference if the unit is plugged in behind furniture or curtains, etc. The unit only works where there is electrical wiring. For example, on a main floor of an average home, there is electrical wiring traveling throughout the walls of that level. In this case, the Riddex® would work fine. But, in an attic or basement level, where the wiring may be concentrated in one area, say on the south end, and little or no wiring is on the north end, Riddex® would not be as effective on that level.

Also, if a house is vacant or not always in use, the unit will not be as effective because the use of electrical appliances, lights, etc. is what creates the field that the unit works with. If no electricity is being used, the unit has nothing to work with.

If you prefer a unit with ultrasonic technology, check out our Riddex® Sonic Plus, Trisonic and Halo products. Note that ultrasonic units must be plugged into unobstructed outlets because of the added "ultrasonic" feature.

The product has been tested through an independent laboratory to work as described.

One thing to note is that the consumer should expect to see increased activity in their house during the first 30 days of use as the product is helping drive the pests out of the walls and then eventually out of your house. Once the pests determine over time that it’s an uncomfortable environment, they will leave and you shouldn’t see that activity.

One unit may cover an average home.

If the home has multiple levels, we recommend one per level and that you plug them in at opposite ends of the home in a staggered effect (i.e.: two levels - one plugged in on the first floor at the north end, second unit plugged in on the second floor at the south end.

Or, if three levels - first on first floor north end, second on second floor at south end, third unit on third floor at north end).

If too many units are plugged into a small area, they can interfere with each other and be less effective.

We do not recommend using the unit if you have pets that are from the rodent family, such as hamsters, gerbils, rabbits etc. It has not been shown to effect birds, cats, dogs, and fish.

No. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

As indicated on our retail packaging, our products are rodent repelling aids which were designed to help with rodent problems.  As such, almost all of our testing has been primarily focused on rodents. 

We should however note that a limited number of those tests also included roaches and they have shown some level of efficacy on them as well.

You may have seen many customer testimonials that state that it works on just about anything under the sun including ants, spiders, crickets, etc., but we do NOT make any claims on these other pests. We greatly appreciate getting these customer testimonials and are happy that our products are taking care of their problems, but without actual testing on these other pests we simply cannot tell you that our products will be of any help with them.

Consumers may still see an occasional rodent that has wandered in, but they should not stay and take up residency in the home after a Riddex® is plugged in. If they can, they will leave the same way they came in.

The AVERAGE life of a unit is three to five years.

If the red light is no longer flashing (either completely out or a steady light), the unit is not working. Check the light first. If the light is flashing, but you are having problems with rodents, try checking the unit for a vibration or "pull" using a metal screwdriver.

Hold the tip of the screwdriver against the unit while the unit is plugged in. The unit cycles "on" for four minutes and "off" for two minutes. If no vibration or "pull" is felt when first testing the unit, wait a couple of minutes and try again as it may be in the "off" cycle.

If, after waiting a couple of minutes and testing again, there is still no vibration or "pull," the unit is no longer functioning.

*One of our customers sent us this useful tip on how to test to see if the unit is working... "I dangled a standard paper clip from a thread secured to a chair back so that it steadily held the clip about half an inch away from the very center of the unit. During the ON cycle, the clip is pulled up against the unit once every second." -- Charlie P.

It is best to leave the unit plugged in at all times, but it will not hurt to unplug it for very short periods of time. The unit uses about the same amount of electricity as a night light.

Please use the same precautions that your doctor recommends you use with any other appliances. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference; and, (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

While we have not tested for these particular pests, we have had customers offer the following tips which they claim worked for them.

How to manage squirrels in attics:
Wind or drape an outdoor extension cord in "S" turns throughout the entire attic. The extension cord should be no further than 5' from the previous row (cord) as this will ensure that the signal is completely covering 100% of the attic floor. The cord needs to be plugged into a live 110V wall outlet. Then plug the PEST A CATOR® device into the end of the extension cord. If using PEST A CATOR® Plus product, make sure the outlet that the device is plugged into is free of obstructions, meaning clear with no beam or boxes, etc. in front of the unit, to allow the ultrasonic signal to work effectively.

How to manage bats in attics:
Similar to managing squirrels in attics, except that since the bats roost in the peaks of the attics, the extension cord needs to be raised to the ceiling level by using standard cup hooks (purchased from hardware or grocery stores). Make sure the cup hooks are mounted within 2' of the highest point in the attic. Now, string the extension cords through the cup hooks and plug in as noted in "managing squirrels in attics" above.