Critter Pricker Shark Tank Update: Is It Still in Business?
If you have ever woken up to find your trash cans tipped over, garbage scattered across the driveway, or mysterious droppings near your swimming pool, you know exactly how frustrating raccoons can be.
These highly intelligent, adaptable animals are notorious for causing expensive property damage in residential neighborhoods across the United States.
In 2020, pest control expert Joseph Balistreri walked into the Shark Tank to pitch a humane, simple solution to this widespread problem: the Critter Pricker.
Designed as an interlocking plastic strip covered in sharp spikes, the product aimed to keep raccoons away without causing them serious physical harm.
But what happened to the company after the cameras stopped rolling? Did the Shark Tank deal actually close, and is the product still available to buy today?
Here is the complete 2026 update on Critter Pricker, including the founder’s current career path, the reality of the business’s net worth, and the most effective alternative raccoon deterrents on the market right now.
What Is the Critter Pricker?
Critter Pricker is a humane wildlife deterrent device designed to keep unwanted animals off your property. It consists of interlocking plastic strips that are covered in small, rigid spikes.
The concept relies entirely on a raccoon’s natural anatomy. Raccoons are incredibly smart animals.
In fact, they have between 438 and 512 million neurons in their brains, which is significantly more than a cat. They also have highly sensitive, almost human-like hands and paws that contain millions of nerve endings.
When a raccoon attempts to walk across the Critter Pricker, the sharp plastic spikes cause immediate physical discomfort.
While the spikes are not long or sharp enough to pierce the skin or cause bleeding, they are painful enough to teach the animal that the area is not safe to cross.
Homeowners typically placed these spike strips around vulnerable areas, such as:
- The base of outdoor trash cans.
- The perimeter of swimming pools (where raccoons often try to swim or leave waste).
- Along the tops of fences or low walls.
- Around garden beds or under deck openings.
Because the strips snap together easily, they could be customized to fit curved surfaces or large perimeters.
Made from highly durable, weather-resistant materials, the original product was marketed as a low-maintenance, chemical-free, and environmentally safe option for keeping pets and wildlife at bay.
Who Is the Founder of Critter Pricker?
Critter Pricker was founded by Joseph Balistreri. Before appearing on national television, Balistreri had spent over a decade working in the wildlife management and pest control industry in Florida.
Operating his own pest control service out of Boca Raton, Balistreri spent his days removing nuisance animals from suburban homes.
He noticed a recurring problem: even if he safely trapped and relocated a live raccoon, another one would eventually take its place.
Raccoons are incredibly resourceful break-in artists. If a home offers access to food, water, or shelter, they will always return.
Balistreri realized that the only permanent way to solve the problem was to make the property itself unappealing.
Leveraging his deep understanding of animal behavior, specifically the extreme sensitivity of a raccoon’s paws, he invented the Critter Pricker. His goal was to offer a humane, affordable alternative to toxic poisons or dangerous traps.
The Shark Tank Pitch
Joseph Balistreri brought Critter Pricker to Shark Tank during Season 11, Episode 16, which originally aired in 2020.
He confidently entered the tank seeking a $115,000 investment in exchange for a 15% equity stake in his company. This ask placed the valuation of Critter Pricker at approximately $766,667.
During his presentation, Balistreri handed out samples of the spiked strips so the Sharks could feel them. He emphasized that while the spikes were uncomfortable, they would absolutely not cause the animals to bleed.
He also shared his sales numbers, revealing that the company had generated $80,000 in revenue that year. The production cost was only $8 per unit, which he sold online for around $29.99, showing very healthy profit margins.
However, the Sharks were quick to point out potential flaws. Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, and Daymond John all expressed serious concerns about legal liability.
They worried that if a homeowner placed the spikes in their yard, a neighbor’s dog, cat, or even a small child could accidentally step on them and get hurt. Due to these liability risks, multiple Sharks dropped out of the negotiation.
Did Critter Pricker Get a Deal?
Yes, Critter Pricker received an offer on the show, but it came with a steep price tag.
Kevin O’Leary (known as Mr. Wonderful) was the only Shark willing to take a chance on the product. He offered Balistreri the exact $115,000 he asked for in exchange for 15% equity.
However, O’Leary added a demanding condition: he wanted a $2.50 per unit royalty in perpetuity for every single Critter Pricker sold.
Despite the heavy royalty, Balistreri accepted the offer on the spot, eager to prove his doubters wrong and secure a powerful business partner.
What Happened to Critter Pricker After Shark Tank?
While shaking hands on television makes for great entertainment, it does not guarantee a finalized business contract.
During the off-camera due diligence phase that follows every episode, the deal between Joseph Balistreri and Kevin O’Leary never officially closed.
Shortly after the episode aired, the global pandemic caused massive disruptions to supply chains.
Like many small hardware startups, Critter Pricker struggled to secure raw materials, maintain inventory, and handle shipping logistics. The market was also flooded with dozens of similar, competing products online.
For a few years, the product enjoyed a surge in popularity. Customers left positive reviews on Amazon, praising the spikes for keeping raccoons out of their bird feeders and trash bins.
However, keeping the product in stock proved to be an ongoing, insurmountable challenge.
Is Critter Pricker Still in Business in 2026?
According to current 2026 research, Critter Pricker is effectively out of business.
While the product listings still exist on platforms like Amazon, the items are listed as permanently out of stock, and the company has not generated new customer reviews since 2022.
Furthermore, the official Critter Pricker website is completely inactive, and the brand’s social media accounts have been abandoned.
Public records from the Florida Division of Corporations also show that the Critter Pricker LLC is currently listed as an “InActive” business entity.
Where is Joe Balistreri Today?
Joseph Balistreri has successfully moved on to a completely different industry. Today, he is a highly rated luxury real estate agent working for Balistreri Real Estate in South Florida.
This real estate firm is actually a family business founded in 1964 by Joseph S. Balistreri. Operating out of offices in Lighthouse Point, Boca Raton, and Fort Lauderdale, Balistreri now focuses on residential and waterfront properties, leaving the pest control world behind.
Critter Pricker Net Worth
Many fans wonder about the current net worth of businesses featured on Shark Tank. Because the Critter Pricker product is no longer actively manufactured or sold, the net worth of the business itself is zero.
While Balistreri is finding great success in his South Florida real estate career, the $766,000 valuation that Critter Pricker briefly enjoyed during its reality television peak is a thing of the past.
Why Raccoon Control is Harder Than Ever
The failure of Critter Pricker highlights just how difficult it is to outsmart urban wildlife. If you are dealing with a raccoon problem today, you are facing a much more adaptable animal than homeowners did a decade ago.
1. The Domestication of the Urban Raccoon
A groundbreaking new study published in the journal Frontiers in Zoology proved that city-dwelling raccoons are actually evolving. Researchers from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock analyzed nearly 20,000 images of raccoons across the United States. They found that urban raccoons have noticeably shorter snouts than raccoons living in rural forests, with an average snout reduction of 3.56 percent.
A shorter snout is a primary physical marker of “domestication syndrome”—the same evolutionary process that turned wild wolves into modern dogs. Because city raccoons no longer have to hunt or forage for natural food, they have adapted to simply eating human trash. They are losing their natural fear of humans, making old-school scare tactics completely useless.
2. Climate Change Extending Active Seasons
According to the USDA Midwest Climate Hub, there is an 80 percent chance that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will beat out 2024 as the warmest year on record. Rising global temperatures and milder winters mean raccoons do not retreat to their dens as early or for as long as they used to.
Because they are active almost year-round, they spend more time seeking out shelter inside warm, dry residential spaces like attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces.
| Threat Factor | Traditional Wildlife Behavior | 2026 Urban Reality |
| Food Source | Foraging in forests for insects and plants. | Entirely dependent on human garbage cans and pet food. |
| Fear Response | High fear of humans, loud noises, and bright lights. | Dampened fear response; ignores visual and audio deterrents. |
| Active Season | Strict winter denning and reduced movement. | Active almost year-round due to warmer winters. |
| Physical Traits | Longer snouts for hunting in heavy brush. | Shorter snouts associated with early self-domestication. |
The Best Critter Pricker Alternatives
Since you can no longer buy the original Critter Pricker, you might be wondering how to protect your property. The good news is that the pest control industry has grown into a $44 billion market, and there are several highly effective, humane options available at retailers like Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Walmart.
Here are the best ways to keep raccoons away in 2026:
1. General Bird and Wildlife Spikes
You do not need the official Critter Pricker brand to get the exact same result. Almost all hardware stores sell heavy-duty plastic or stainless steel bird spikes. Brands like Bird B Gone, PestFix BIRDOFF, or Defender spikes work perfectly for raccoons.
You can glue or zip-tie these spike strips to the tops of fences, deck railings, or around your garbage cans. They cost between $15 and $25 per pack at Walmart and offer the exact same paw-irritating deterrence as Joe Balistreri’s original invention.
2. Heavy-Duty 16-Gauge Steel Exclusion
If a raccoon is trying to break into your attic or under your deck, plastic spikes will not stop them. An adult raccoon can pry with over 150 pounds of pressure per square inch.
In 2026, professional wildlife technicians consider 16-gauge galvanized steel mesh to be the gold standard for home protection. Unlike chicken wire or thin aluminum flashing—which a raccoon can tear through in minutes—16-gauge steel is completely bite-proof and rip-proof. Homeowners should screw this heavy steel mesh over all roof vents, chimney openings, and deck gaps.
3. Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Because raccoons are so smart, static deterrents often lose their effectiveness over time. A highly recommended alternative is a motion-activated sprinkler system, such as the Woodstream Critter Ridder, which retails for around $56.99.
When a raccoon triggers the infrared sensor, the device shoots a sudden, harmless burst of water in their direction while making a startling clicking noise. This multi-sensory approach effectively scares the animal off your lawn without causing any injury, and they rarely get used to the unpredictability of the water blasts.
4. Liquid and Granular Repellents
Raccoons have highly sensitive noses. Products like Ortho Animal B Gon MAX or various hot pepper extract formulas can create an invisible barrier around your yard.
However, liquid repellents only work as a first line of defense. If a mother raccoon has already established a nest inside your attic to raise her babies, no amount of strong-smelling spray will convince her to leave. Repellents must also be reapplied frequently, especially after heavy rain.
| Alternative Deterrent | Primary Mechanism | Best Used For | Estimated Cost |
| Generic Spikes (Bird B Gone) | Physical discomfort on paws. | Trash cans, fences, deck railings. | $15 – $25 |
| Motion Sprinklers (Critter Ridder) | Startling bursts of water and noise. | Open lawns, gardens, pool perimeters. | $55 – $60 |
| 16-Gauge Steel Mesh | Permanent physical exclusion barrier. | Attics, roof vents, chimneys, crawl spaces. | Varies by project size |
| Liquid Repellents (Ortho B Gon) | Strong odor and taste aversion. | Garden beds, garbage can lids. | $15 – $30 |
Final Thoughts
While the Critter Pricker was a clever and humane invention that made a memorable splash on Shark Tank, the realities of manufacturing, supply chain issues, and steep retail competition ultimately proved too much for the business to sustain.
Today, Joe Balistreri has traded pest control for luxury real estate, and homeowners have moved on to broader, more modern solutions. By utilizing a combination of generic stainless steel spikes, motion-activated water sprinklers, and professional 16-gauge steel exclusion methods, you can successfully keep the ever-evolving urban raccoon safely off your property.
