Nite Guard: FAQs

Q:	How does the Nite Guard work?
A:	This is a state-of-the-art solar powered unit that emits a red, flashing light. The unit is light sensitive turning on at dusk and turns off at full daylight. No switches, it’s all automatic. It has a very high quality solar panel on the top of the unit that charges with direct daylight (does not have to be sunlight). The flash of the light is what stops the predator. Animal behavior experts, through scientific research, have determined that predators feel threatened because they believe that flash to be the eye of another organism. The sense of being watched is the greatest fear night animals have.
Q:	How do the lights get powered?
A:	Upon receipt of the Nite Guard make sure to remove the black, protective tape that covers the solar panel. Simply install the light in the area to be protected and where it will receive about 4 hours of daylight. Nite Guard will begin to operate that very night, however, it will take 3-4 days for the light to be fully charged. If the light is placed in an area where it will not receive enough sunlight to maintain its charge you may see the operation of the light become weak or even stop. In this situation, simply place the light in direct sunlight for a 3-4 day period and it will fully charge up again. This product is obviously designed for outside use. Because it is light sensitive, Nite Guard also provides protection at two critical times of the day--dusk and dawn. This is important because, hawks in particular, are active during these times and are repelled by the dusk/dawn flash. This results in them often times leaving that area permanently even though they do much of their kills during the daylight hours when Nite Guard is not activated.

Q:	Do I need batteries for the Nite Guard?
A:	No. The Nite Guard is solar powered, so there are no batteries to change or electric cords to plug in.

Q:	Is the Nite Guard weather-proof?
A:	Yes. They are completely sealed to protect them against moisture and all inside components are silicone coated for protection. Nite Guard will actually work completely submerged in water or ice and will function to a minus 20 degrees below zero.
Q:	How long will the Nite Guard work?
A:	The average life of a Nite Guard is 3 years, if the light is used continually. We have had some lights that have lasted for up to 5 years, but the norm is 3 years. If the lights are used seasonally they will last much longer. You can store their lights in a dormant stage by bringing them indoors where daylight will not hit the solar bar. When you want to use the light again, just follow the same instructions as you would for a new light.
Q:	How far does the Nite Guard work?
A:	High in the air the light can be seen for a long distance, depending on the lay of the land. A flat, open area with four Nite Guards placed at 10’ for owls will protect an area 1/2 mile in each direction, even at 3 feet off the ground a range of several hundred yards is common. The predator stops the instant they see the flash. They do not come in to investigate.


Q:	How do I mount the Nite Guard?
A:	Each unit has a tab on the top which will accept a screw for mounting on a post or stake. Even though they are very well built, do not attempt to hammer on or jar the unit excessively as this could cause internal damage.

Q:	Does the light only work in one direction?
A:	Yes, it is one directional and has an approx. 30 degree angle of sight as one moves to the right or left away from it. This explains the need for spacing between lights.


Q:	What's the best way to place the lights for use against flight predators like owls/hawks?
A:	For owls we recommend that you purchase at least 4 lights and place them on a single post located near the center of the area to be protected. You may need two or more clusters of four lights. Put the lights 10-14 feet high on the post with each light facing a different direction. This will ensure your entire area will be covered. The lights can be seen up to ½ mile in the direction they are facing. If you are not located on flat ground you will need to adjust the height of the light on the post. If located on a hill adjust the lights lower as the owls may be coming from below the area being protected. If located in a valley adjust the lights higher as the owls may be coming from above.

Q:	What’s the best way to place the lights for use against small ground predators?
A:	For predators like raccoons, opossum, skunk and all other small ground predators put the lights approx. 50 feet apart centered around your entire perimeter (protect all four sides of the area) and placethem eye level to the predators approx. 10-20 inches off the ground. If it is a small area, one light on each side will do the job. If the area has sides longer than 50 feet, more lights should be used on each side. Also if not located on flat ground you will need to adjust the height of the lights as well. For example, if located on a hill adjust the lights lower or if located in a valley adjust the lights higher. Approx eye level to the predator is the key. Q: What’s the best way to place the lights for use against large ground predators? A: For predators like fox, coyote, bobcat, wild boar, mt. lion, bear and all other larger ground predators put lights approx. 100 feet apart around your entire perimeter (all four sides of the area) and place them eye level to the predators which is approx 20-30 inches off the ground. If the area has sides longer than 100 feet, more lights should be used on each side. Also if not located on flat ground you will need to adjust the height of the lights as well. For example, if located on a hill adjust the lights lower or if located in a valley adjust the lights higher. Approx eye level to the predator is the key.

Q:	What other predators does the Nite Guard work against?
A:	Every night predator will be repelled by the flash of the Nite Guard : deer, fox, opossum, bobcats, coyotes, muskrats, raccoons, bear, cougar, mountain lion, wild boar, mink, skunk, weasels, blue heron and hawks. If you are experiencing problems with a predator not listed here, please contact us to see if the light will work against that predator. We learn new applications for the light often and might be able to assist with your predator problem.

Q:	How do I place the lights to stop deer?
A:	Deer are perhaps the most destructive nocturnal animal in modern times, they are also the most intelligent. Deer are very hard to deter from an area and, with the exception of the Nite Guard, will ignore most attempts to stop them from getting at the food that they want. The also act differently than a predator type animal and so we need to approach the placement of the lights differently. Having said that we have found great success with the following placement: Four Nite Guard lights placed on a single post or pole 4’ high with each light facing a different direction. Center the post in the area to be protected—and then theMOST CRITICAL PART move the post approx. every 3 to 10 days. You do not have to move them far, 20 or 30 feet is fine, more is better. If you do not move the post with the lights around the deer will begin to “pattern” them in the exact position night after night, thusly losing fear of the flash. You could also use a perimeter type placement against deer, placing lights 100 feet apart and approx. 4 feet high. Again, you will need to move the lights around every 3-10 days to break the pattern. Suggestion: Use the Nite Guard in conjunction with some of the other “weapons” they may already have in their “arsenal” against deer. Most people with deer problems are very well away of the deer’s intelligence and know that they get used to things easily. Use the Nite Guard lights along with some type of “repellant spray”. The deer then will not only “see” the predator (the flash of the light), but they will also “smell” the predator. This can be a very powerful deterrent for those deer that seem impossible to repel. You will be able to outsmart deer and protect your gardens and crops with the Nite Guards!

Q:	Can I buy just one light?
A:	Yes, however, remember the lights are one directional and we have found if multi-light (4 or more lights) settings are not used, the predator will circle and come into the kill area from a direction where they do not see the flash. Night predators are smart and determined to enter your area, especially if they have already been in there. Most ground predators will attempt to approach from the direction where the lights are not flashing. Once the area is covered adequately, both for owls and ground predators, your problems are over.

Q:	Is there a guarantee on these lights?
A:	Yes. We offer a one-year guarantee on the lights. If the light stops flashing, flashes intermittingly or flashes weakly and you purchased the light within the past year, just return it and you will receive a new one at no charge. The lights are weather sealed and therefore can not be repaired. Please contact our company to receive instructions on properly returning your defective light or visit the Guarantee page on this web site. We also offer a Money Back Guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with the Nite Guards we encourage you to call our predator control experts and get help with specific placement. We may be able to make suggestions that will enhance the success of the lights. If you have already done this with no success or simply want to return the product, you can do so up to 60 days after the purchase date. Please contact our company to receive instructions on properly returning your product or visit the Guarantee page on this web site.


Q:	Will the flashing light be annoying to my neighbors or alarm my own livestock?
A:	No. Your livestock and any other domestic animals will not be affected by the flash. It is not an annoying strobe type flash therefore will not attract undue attention; however predators see it instantly because of their wary nature. Most neighbors and anyone else will believe the lights to be a security system of some kind in place and this is a good thing.
Q:	Could I use the light as a security system?
A:	Yes. We have many customers that use the lights at their cabins or property. The red flashing light located near an entry door or driveway can give the impressions to humans that a security system is installed there.