How to Use Repels All Animal Repellent | Mix & Apply Right

Deer eating your hostas, raccoons raiding the trash, or groundhogs digging under the shed — Repels-All is the go-to for most of them, but the instructions differ depending on whether you bought a bottle of concentrate, a jug of granules, or the ready-to-spray hose-end. Mis-mix the concentrate and you waste your money; skip the rain re-application and the critters are back in a week. Here is exactly how to use each version so the repellent actually lasts its full 60-day window.

Which Repels-All Formulation Do You Have?

The three formulations require different equipment and steps. The concentrate needs mixing in a sprayer; the granules go on dry with a spreader; and the ready-to-spray connects directly to a garden hose. If you are still deciding which product to buy, our tested roundup of the best animal repellents compares all three Repels-All types against the competition.

How to Mix and Apply the Liquid Concentrate

The concentrate is the most economical option for large yards, but you must measure carefully. The active ingredient is potent enough that a small error in dilution ruins the effect.

Mixing ratios:

• 1 quart: Add 4 fl. oz. of concentrate to an empty 1-quart bottle, then top off with 28 fl. oz. of water.
• 1 gallon: Add 16 fl. oz. of concentrate to an empty 1-gallon tank, then add 112 fl. oz. of water.
• 2 gallons: Add 32 fl. oz. of concentrate to an empty 2-gallon tank, then add 224 fl. oz. of water.

Screw the sprayer head on and shake extremely well — the concentrate and water separate quickly, so shake again every few minutes during use. Spray all leaf surfaces (tops and bottoms), stems, and branches until liquid runs off the plant. Allow at least 6 hours of drying time before rain or watering.

Using the Granules for Perimeter and Bulb Protection

Granules are the simplest for a barrier treatment. Use a hand spreader or push spreader at a rate of 1 lb. per 500 sq. ft. For a perimeter line around a garden bed, sprinkle a 6–8 inch wide band directly on the soil next to the area you are protecting — you can shake the granules straight from the jug. If the granules are going over bulbs, put 1 tablespoon of granules in the hole around each bulb, then backfill with soil. Lightly water the granules in after application if no rain is expected in the next 24 hours; the water activates the scent.

How to Connect and Spray the Ready-to-Spray (RTS)

The RTS bottle is the most convenient option for quick spot-treatments. First, make sure the dial on the bottle is set to “OFF.” Connect the bottle to a garden hose, then turn the water on at the faucet. Twist the knob right to “FAN” for low-growing plants and small shrubs, or left to “STREAM” for taller trees and shrubs where you need extra reach. The concentrate mixes with water automatically as it passes through the sprayer head. When you are done, turn the knob back to “OFF,” shut off the faucet, and disconnect the hose.

When to Reapply and Critical Mistakes to Avoid

For fast-growing spring plants, treat at the start of the growth cycle and repeat every 7–10 days; for moderate growth, monthly applications are usually enough. Apply only on dry, warm days with no rain forecast for at least 6 hours.

Three mistakes ruin the repellent’s effectiveness. First, applying concentrate to the wrong dilution (4 oz. to a gallon instead of a quart) makes it too weak. Second, not shaking the mixture lets the active ingredient settle — you end up spraying mostly water. Third, applying it right before rain washes the repellent off before it has dried. For vegetable crops, spray only around the plants, never directly on the edible parts. And on decks or wooden fences, test an inconspicuous spot first — the liquid can stain some surfaces.