Messina Animal Stopper Granular 5 lb: All-Natural Small Animal Repellent

Description

When rabbits, groundhogs, or skunks turn your beds into a buffet, Messina Animal Stopper Granular 5 lb: All-Natural Small Animal Repellent, steps in to create a protective, plant-powered barrier that lasts about 30 days and treats up to 3,600 square feet when applied as directed.

Made with proven deterrents like rosemary, cinnamon, and cornmint oils with an added egg component, it is designed for outdoor use around garden beds and perimeters, and it is considered safe around kids, pets, and edible gardens when used as directed, which makes it a practical granular animal repellent for family yards.

Key Customer Benefits

• Real protection that holds up outdoors. Once down, the granular barrier is designed to stay effective for about thirty days even through normal rain and watering, so you are not reapplying after every shower.
• Plant-based formula people actually tolerate. No blood meal or bone meal here. The deterrent effect comes from botanical oils with an egg component, which work by smell, taste, and feel while avoiding the rotten-odor repellents many gardeners dislike.
• Covers a lot of ground fast. The 5-pound AS-G-005 size treats roughly three thousand six hundred square feet at the labeled application rate, making it practical for beds, paths, and fence lines.
• Targets the animals that actually cause low, ground-level damage. Labeled for rabbits, groundhogs, skunks, raccoons, woodchucks, gophers, armadillos, and beavers, so you can build one continuous “do not cross” line for the typical garden intruders.
• Thoughtful around edible spaces when used correctly. You can protect vegetable plots by applying as a perimeter band and keeping the granules off edible plant material, exactly as the label instructs, which is how I set up rabbit repellent for gardens without touching the crop.
• Straightforward to apply and maintain. Shake from the jug or use a hand spreader, refresh about every thirty days or as needed, and you are done. That simplicity makes it a realistic groundhog deterrent safe for pets and families when used as directed.

Product Description

What it is

Messina Animal Stopper Granular Repellent, 5 lb, AS-G-005 is a perimeter-style granular animal repellent you shake around beds, paths, fence lines, and burrow openings to deter low, ground-level pests. The 5 lb pail covers up to 3,600 square feet at the labeled rate and is listed for rabbits, groundhogs, skunks, raccoons, gophers, armadillos, beavers, and woodchucks. The label guarantees 30 days of protection per application, and it spells out where to place bands and spot treatments for best results.

How it works

Animal Stopper builds an invisible “do-not-cross” line by combining scent, taste, and tactile cues that animals do not like. The active ingredients are clearly listed on the package: rosemary oil 0.56 percent, cinnamon oil 0.44 percent, cornmint oil 0.37 percent, and putrescent whole egg solids 0.21 percent. These are supported by inerts such as walnut shells and vinegar that help carry and stabilize the actives. The label notes the product “works by smell, taste and feel,” which is exactly how an area barrier convinces curious noses to turn around.

From a science perspective, university and agency guidance explains why this blend is logical. Repellents that use putrescent egg solids and plant essential oils trigger avoidance through predator-like odors and unpleasant taste, and they often need periodic reapplication and rotation to prevent habituation in wildlife. That is why the manufacturer’s about 30 day schedule, and re-treating after heavy pressure, line up with independent best practice.

What makes it effective and different

Two things separate this product in day-to-day use. First, the formula is plant-based and meat-free. There is no blood meal, no bone meal, and no meat-based ingredients, which many gardeners prefer around patios and play areas. Second, the manufacturer positions it as weatherproof for up to 30 days, and the 5 lb size gives enough material to lay continuous bands around vulnerable zones. If you garden with vegetables, the label allows protection by treating soil bands around beds and keeping granules off edible plant material, which is the right way to run a rabbit repellent for gardens without flavoring the crop.

For shoppers who want details before they buy, the label also provides transparency you can trust: it lists the actives and inerts by name, calls out the coverage, and confirms the product is a FIFRA 25(b) minimum-risk pesticide that is exempt from federal EPA registration. That 25(b) category exists for formulas built from certain allowed ingredients that EPA considers minimum risk when used as directed.

Usage Scenario

One practical way to use these skunk repellent granules and groundhog deterrent is a two-band approach. I coach homeowners to run a tight ring right at the bed edge, then a second ring a few feet out along travel lanes or fence lines. That mirrors how satisfied users describe success when they “make a barrier that keeps rabbits away” and maintain it through the season. On retailer review pages and gardening forums, you will see versions of the same theme, that a consistent perimeter plus spot treatment at burrow mouths cuts browsing quickly, especially on rabbits and raccoons.

Honest expectations, so you win in the long run

Repellents are behavior modifiers, not force fields. Pressure, food scarcity, and species all affect results. Extensions note that some animals, especially woodchucks, can ignore certain taste repellents, and overall success improves when you pair repellents with habitat fixes like blocking den access or tightening fencing. Use Animal Stopper as your daily driver, then back it up with physical exclusion where damage is severe. That balanced plan is how you protect a garden and still keep things humane.

 

Product Specifications

Item	Details
Brand, product	Messina Animal Stopper Granular Repellent, 5 lb
Manufacturer part no.	AS-G-005
Format	Ready-to-use granules, no mixing needed.
Net contents	5 lb container.
Active ingredients	Rosemary oil 0.56 percent, Cinnamon oil 0.44 percent, Cornmint oil 0.37 percent, Putrescent whole egg solids 0.21 percent.
Inert ingredients	Walnut shells, vinegar, potassium sorbate, sodium chloride, kaolin, xanthan gum.
Scent profile	Mint-like odor.
Target animals	Rabbits, groundhogs, gophers, raccoons, woodchucks, armadillos, beavers, skunks.
Coverage	Up to 3,600 square feet per 5 lb container.
Application rate	About 750 square feet per pound, applied as a perimeter or band.
How it deters	Works by smell, taste, and feel to create a sensory barrier that animals avoid.
Duration	Effective for about 30 days per application when used as directed.
Weatherability	Designed to remain effective through normal rain and watering.
Use sites	Outdoors around beds, paths, fence lines, dens, tunnels, and entry points.
Use near edibles	Apply around plants or as a perimeter. Do not allow granules to contact edible plant material. May be used on dormant fruit and nut trees.
Kids and pets	Considered safe around children and pets when used as directed.
Regulatory status	Minimum-risk pesticide. Manufacturer states exemption from federal EPA registration under FIFRA Section 25(b).
Storage and disposal	Store at room temperature. Rinse empty container and recycle. Follow local rules for any unused product.
Country of origin	Made in the USA.
Safety notes	Wear gloves to reduce skin contact. Product may cause allergic skin reactions in sensitive individuals. SDS lists mint-like odor and standard PPE guidance.

 

How to Use: Application and Dosage Guide

Before you start: set yourself up for success

Walk the space as if you were the animal. Note travel lanes, den or burrow openings, low gaps under fences, and the exact beds that get hit. Animal Stopper Granular works by smell, taste, and feel, so placement matters more than brute quantity. The product label directs you to shake the container well, then apply the granules liberally to dens, tunnels, entries, and around plants that need protection, with reapplications usually every 30 days.

If you grow edibles, plan a perimeter-only treatment. The label and product page are clear: protect vegetable gardens by treating the soil around the bed or along paths and fence lines, and do not allow granules to touch edible plant material. The label also notes it may be used on dormant fruit and nut trees.

A quick bit of site prep helps. Apply on a dry day so the granules sit where you place them, then re-treat after heavy rain if needed. Remove easy food sources and clutter that shelter pests, such as spilled bird seed, stacked boards, or low brush that harbors insects for skunks. These small fixes reduce pressure so the barrier you lay actually holds.

Step-by-step application that works in the real world

1) Shake and load. Shake the jug to loosen the blend, then either shake directly from the container or pour into a clean hand or push spreader. The manufacturer’s directions and retail copies both mention using a clean spreader or broadcasting from the container.

2) Build your perimeter. Make a continuous band of granules around the beds or zones you need to protect, and along obvious entry points like gaps under gates or along a fence line. Think of it as painting a scent line the animal does not want to cross. The product page lists 750 square feet per pound as the standard rate, so one 5 lb pail treats about 3,600 square feet.

3) Spot-treat pressure points. Apply liberally to dens, tunnels, and entries where you see active use or fresh excavation. This is especially helpful with rabbits and groundhogs that work the same runs every evening. The label explicitly calls out these locations for treatment.

4) Special rules for edibles. Around vegetables or herbs, apply only as a perimeter and keep granules off leaves, stems, and soil that will contact edible parts. The label warns not to apply to plants grown for human or animal consumption, and it repeats the perimeter instruction for edible spaces.

5) Maintain the line. Reapply about every 30 days, or sooner after heavy rain, irrigation, or mowing that disturbs the band. Messinas’ own how-to guide also recommends reapplication after heavy rain to keep the barrier consistent.

Safety and handling that match the label

Wear gloves during application and wash up after you are done, especially before eating. The label lists a mint-like odor and advises gloves to reduce skin contact. Store at room temperature and recycle the empty container after a rinse.

Pro tips from the field

Stack the deck in your favor. Granular animal repellents shine when you pair them with simple exclusion. If groundhogs are your main problem, set the band and consider a low fence with an L-footer that bends outward at the base to stop digging. Wildlife and extension sources describe burying 10 to 12 inches or flaring a wire L just under the surface to block burrow attempts. The scent line plus a physical edge makes a big difference.

Treat where the nose goes. Rabbits tend to cruise edges, not the middle of a bed. Focus on edges, travel lanes, and low gaps. If you only treat plant interiors, you are treating where the animal already decided not to go. The label’s emphasis on entries, dens, and perimeters is your tell.

Expect pressure to change with the season. Re-lay bands as plants flush new growth in spring or when drought concentrates browsing. Manufacturer guidance and extension articles note that repellents are maintenance tools, so plan to refresh on schedule for reliable results.

When you want even more stopping power

Animal Stopper Granular is my daily driver for rabbit repellent for gardens, skunk repellent granules, and a groundhog deterrent safe for pets when used as directed. If a persistent burrower still tests your line, keep the repellent perimeter in place and add a modest fence with a buried or flared base. Extension pages outline simple builds that stop most digging under fences without resorting to harsh methods.

FAQs

Does Animal Stopper Granular really work on rabbits and groundhogs, and how long does it last?

Yes, when you lay a continuous band, it deters the typical low, ground-level pests like rabbits and groundhogs for about thirty days per application. The label lists rabbits, groundhogs, gophers, raccoons, woodchucks, armadillos, beavers, and skunks, and it states the barrier is guaranteed for thirty days when used as directed. Several retailer pages and reviews echo that perimeter strategy for keeping rabbits out of beds.

What is in it, and why do animals avoid it?

The active ingredients are rosemary oil 0.56 percent, cinnamon oil 0.44 percent, cornmint oil 0.37 percent, and putrescent whole egg solids 0.21 percent. The product works by smell, taste, and feel, which is why a perimeter band is so useful. University and agency guidance explains that odor and taste repellents can change animal behavior, although pressure and conditions matter.

Is this granular animal repellent safe around kids, pets, and edible gardens?

Used correctly, yes. The label allows perimeter applications around edible spaces, and it directs you to keep the granules off any edible plant material. Retailer guidance notes it is safe to use around children and pets when you follow the label. For handling, the SDS classifies the product as a skin sensitizer, so wear gloves and wash up after application.

Does it smell bad or linger near patios?

Most folks describe a mint-like odor, not a rotten smell. The SDS lists the odor as mint-like and the appearance as brown granules. That is one reason gardeners choose this over blood-meal or fish-based options.

Will rain wash it away, or do I need to reapply after storms?

The manufacturer markets it as weatherproof for about 30 days per application. If you experience heavy rain, irrigation, or mowing that disturbs your band, refresh the perimeter. That aligns with general repellent best practice from extensions, which recommend keeping barriers consistent.

How much area does the 5 lb pail cover?

Up to 3,600 square feet at the labeled rate. The front label on the AS-G-005 pail shows that coverage figure so you can plan material needs.

Can I use it on the plants themselves, or only on the soil?

Use it as a soil band. The label instructs you to apply liberally to dens, tunnels, entries, and around plants. Near edible crops, treat around plants or as a perimeter band and do not allow granules to touch edible plant material.

How quickly will I see a change in animal activity?

Give it a few days. Retailer guidance notes that effects may take several days because the product works through smell, taste, and feel. Keep your band continuous so animals meet that cue every time they approach.

Will it repel chipmunks or ground squirrels too?

They are not on the Animal Stopper Granular label, so results are uncertain. If your main issue is rodents like chipmunks or ground squirrels, consider a rodent-specific repellent from the same brand, which is labeled for mice and rats, or pair this with small-mesh fencing. Always match the tool to the pest that is actually listed on the label.

Granules versus spray. Which should I choose?

Use granules to build wide, continuous perimeters and to spot-treat den mouths or travel lanes. Use spray when you need to treat plant surfaces directly. The granules are better for covering ground, while the spray is for direct application to plants and leaves.

Is it safe for birds, pollinators, or wildlife that I want to keep?

Applied per label, it is intended to repel listed animals without harming them, and retailers note it is safe around children and pets when used as directed. As with any repellent made with essential oils, avoid broadcasting into water features. The SDS states the formula is harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects, so keep runoff away from ponds and streams.

Can animals get used to any repellent? Should I rotate products?

Habituation can happen, especially when food is scarce. Extension sources recommend combining repellents with simple exclusion like low fencing for rabbits and buried or flared wire for digging pests. Some gardeners rotate products or change placement to keep the cue novel. Start with a clean line and maintain it, then add light exclusion if pressure stays high.

Can I use it indoors or under a car hood?

No. The use directions describe outdoor soil bands and spot treatments to dens, tunnels, entries, and around plants. Stick to labeled outdoor use sites for safety and effectiveness.

Conclusion

If your beds are getting nibbled or dug up, Messina Animal Stopper Granular Repellent, 5 lb (AS-G-005) gives you a simple, family-friendly way to push back. The manufacturer specifies a weather-resistant, plant-based barrier that lasts about thirty days, and the 5 lb jug covers about three thousand six hundred square feet at the labeled rate. Used as directed, it can be applied as a soil band around beds and along fence lines, including perimeters around edible spaces, which is exactly how most homeowners protect tender growth without touching the crop.

This formula relies on essential oils and putrescent egg solids to create scent and taste cues that wildlife avoid, a strategy universities describe as effective when maintained and paired with good placement. Extension guidance also notes that repellents are maintenance tools, so reapply on schedule and rotate or adjust placement as pressure changes through the season.

Animal Stopper Granular is sold as a minimum-risk pesticide under the federal FIFRA 25(b) exemption. That category covers products built from specific allowed ingredients and labeled transparently with active and inert components. As with any pesticide product, follow the label and SDS: wear gloves, keep granules out of water features, and wash up after use. Manufacturer SDS documents list a mint-like odor and standard PPE guidance, and some revisions flag hazards like aquatic toxicity, which is why keeping runoff away from ponds and streams is part of best practice.