Riddex Plus Digital Pest Repellent by Winston Brands

by How Helpful

Product Features

• Sends out electrical pulses to rid pests from your home
• Takes 2-4 weeks to effectively work in home
• 110V outlets only
• For household/residential use only

Product Details

• Item Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B001BZNAOQ
• Item model number: 86RIDDEX12
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (154 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,236 in Home & Garden (See Top 100 in Home & Garden)
  • #23 in Home & Garden > Patio, Lawn & Garden > Pest Control

Product Description

Riddex Plus: Plug it in, pests run out. Riddex Plus with electromagnetic technology uses the wiring already in your walls to keep your home pest-free. A simple way to eliminate the need for dangerous chemicals or traps. One unit covers 2000 square feet. Built-in light and on/off switch. Measures 4"H x 2 1/4"W x 1 1/4"D...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

176 of 185 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Completely worthless, March 23, 2008

By 

J. Hess (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

We purchased two of these units direct from the company, and after a couple of months of use, we have noticed that not only have they not solved our roach problem, but roaches seem to be drawn to them. Any time of the day or night there are roaches on, around, and behind the unit. Frankly, it's creepy.

We try to keep a clean, sustainable, chemical-free home and don't want to use poisons around our pets (or ourselves), but honestly, don't waste your money on this.

73 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Busted in tests!, November 2, 2008

By 

Robert W. Tucker "Peanutsdad" (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

We purchased 4 of these, then set up a clear acrylic test box with outlets in each side.
We then put 50 roaches in the box, plugged in a unit, ensured it was indeed powered on and watched.
The roaches not only didn't mind the unit, were not repulsed by the unit, they crawled all over it just as much as they crawled anywhere in the box.

We plugged in each unit and repeated the test with the same results.
The roaches didn't run, didn't try to avoid, didn't do anything but keep right on crawling where they wanted to despite four units working in a box two foot square.

87 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars SALE OF THIS ITEM BANNED!, July 9, 2008

By 

SugarCrafter - See all my reviews

In 2003 the FTC required proof of RIDDEX's claims. From what I have read, the product has since been banned from sale. The ads still run on some cable channels for which they will likely be fined. I imagine they will continue to sell the product until the fines outweigh the profits. Here is the government FTC report:

[...]

There are other, more detailed accounts of this subject if you google it.

My personal experience with this type of product has not been good. I purchased a similar product from Home Depot. We got it because we noticed a mouse in our bedroom. We plugged the unit in, and within a week the house was crawling with the rodents! It is as if the thing ATTRACTED mice rather then repelled them! I could hear the device when all was quiet. It made me edgy and I found it difficult to sleep. We didn't have children at the time and decided to use Decon. Poison was not our ideal solution but it worked. The mice, all of them, were gone inside of a week.