Many homeowners love the peace of having a backyard, but it often turns into a nightmare when raccoons start visiting. These animals might look cute, but they can create a huge mess. They knock over trash cans, scatter garbage everywhere, leave behind droppings, and sometimes damage property. Some raccoons even get into swimming pools or attics, causing frustration and big repair costs for homeowners.
The worst part is that these clever creatures are very hard to stop. They can climb fences, squeeze through small openings, and seem to find a way into any space they want. Homeowners have tried everything from traps to repellents, but most options either don’t work well, are harmful to animals, or are unsafe for pets and kids.
Joe Balistreri saw this problem up close during his years working in pest control. He knew homeowners were desperate for a simple, safe, and humane solution that would finally keep raccoons away from their property. That’s why he created Critter Pricker, a line of spiked plastic strips designed to scare raccoons off without actually hurting them.
The spikes are uncomfortable for raccoons’ sensitive feet, making them leave the area alone. Critter Pricker can be placed near pools, trash cans, fences, or anywhere raccoons are causing problems.
Joe hoped his invention would give homeowners peace of mind and protect their properties. He took his product to Shark Tank in Season 11, looking for a shark to help him reach more customers. He asked the sharks for $115,000 in exchange for 15% equity in his business. His journey on the show was filled with tough questions, concerns, and one deal offer that could change everything for Critter Pricker.
Critter Pricker Net Worth Shark Tank Update
Joe was looking for an investment of $115k in exchange for 15% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, he valued his company at about $767k. Joe successfully secured a deal with Kevin for an investment of $115k for 15% equity in the company, plus a $2.50 royalty per unit in perpetuity. The investment kept the company’s net worth at around $767k. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure and sales for a period of time, but recent public signs suggest the business is no longer active. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Critter Pricker is $0.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Kevin O’Leary
$115,000 for 15% equity + $2.50/unit royalty in perpetuity
N/A
Yes
Mark Cuban
Out
N/A
N/A
Lori Greiner
Out
N/A
N/A
Daymond John
Out
N/A
N/A
Barbara Corcoran
Out
N/A
N/A
Joe Balistreri Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Joe Balistreri spent years working in pest control. During that time, he kept hearing the same complaint from customers: raccoons were getting into trash, pools, and yards. Joe realized the problem was widespread, and homeowners were tired of raccoons ruining their property. He wanted to create a solution that would keep raccoons out without hurting them.
He also wanted it to be easy for anyone to install. After testing different materials and designs, Joe came up with Critter Pricker. His invention was a series of plastic strips with pointed spikes that could snap together. When placed in areas where raccoons walk, the spikes feel sharp on their paws. The discomfort makes them avoid the spot and look elsewhere, but the spikes don’t actually injure the animals.
Joe faced several challenges during the early stages of developing his product. He had to make sure the spikes were sharp enough to deter raccoons but not so sharp that they would hurt pets or humans. He also needed the strips to be weatherproof, lightweight, and affordable to produce. After several prototypes and lots of testing, he finally created a version that worked perfectly.
Joe then started selling Critter Pricker online and at trade shows. He quickly discovered there was demand for his product, especially among homeowners with pool or garbage problems. During one trade show, he sold out his entire stock in just six weeks. Pool companies became some of his biggest customers, buying Critter Pricker in bulk to protect their clients’ pools from raccoon visits.
When Joe appeared on Shark Tank, he knew he needed help from a shark to grow his business. He asked the sharks for $115,000 in exchange for 15% of his company. He explained how Critter Pricker worked, showed the sharks his product samples, and shared his sales numbers. By the time of filming, Joe had sold about $80,000 worth of Critter Pricker.
Each unit cost him about $8 to make and sold for $27.99 to $32.99. He told the sharks that his product was already popular with pool service companies and homeowners looking for a humane raccoon solution. Joe believed that with the sharks’ investment and connections, he could expand production and start selling Critter Pricker nationwide.
Queries + Sharks’ Responses, and Final Deal
The sharks were interested but also had concerns about the Critter Pricker. Mark Cuban was the first to speak up. He liked the idea but worried about legal issues. He asked Joe what would happen if someone got hurt by stepping on the spikes. Joe explained that the spikes weren’t sharp enough to break the skin but were still uncomfortable for raccoons. However, Mark was not convinced.
He said he was afraid of lawsuits if children or adults accidentally stepped on the strips. Because of this liability concern, Mark decided he couldn’t invest and was the first shark to go out.
Barbara Corcoran then shared her worries. She said neighbors or delivery people could accidentally get hurt by stepping on the spikes. She didn’t like the idea of selling something that might cause injuries or lead to complaints. Barbara said she liked Joe and respected his pest control experience, but she didn’t think the risk was worth it. She also went out.
Daymond John asked about pets. He said many homeowners have cats or dogs that roam outside. He wondered if pets could get hurt by the spikes or become afraid of certain parts of their yard. Joe responded that small pets might avoid the spikes, but the product wasn’t meant for areas where pets play. Daymond felt it was too risky if even one pet got injured or scared. He decided he couldn’t invest and dropped out.
Lori Greiner listened carefully and asked about the flexibility of the Critter Pricker. She wanted to know if homeowners could customize the shape and size of the strips for different spaces. Joe explained the modular design, saying people could snap the squares together in any arrangement to fit around pools, trash cans, fences, or bird feeders.
Lori liked that feature but shared the same concern as the other sharks. She worried about pets, kids, or adults tripping over the spikes. She said it would be hard to sell a product with such obvious safety concerns. Lori told Joe she liked him and thought he was smart, but the risk was too high. She also went out.
Kevin O’Leary was the last shark standing. He said he liked the product and thought it filled a clear need. He told Joe he believed Critter Pricker could be successful if marketed properly. Kevin said he was concerned about the company’s valuation, but he was willing to make a deal. He offered Joe exactly what he asked for: $115,000 for 15% equity.
But there was a catch. Kevin wanted a $2.50 royalty on every unit sold, forever. Joe thought about it for a moment. He realized Kevin’s offer was fair, considering the exposure he would get and the shark’s business experience. Joe accepted Kevin’s deal, securing the investment he needed to grow his company.
Product Availability
Critter Pricker is a unique product designed to keep raccoons and other pests away in a safe, humane way. The strips are made from durable plastic and feature sharp, pyramid-shaped spikes. When raccoons walk across these spikes, they feel uncomfortable and quickly leave the area. The spikes don’t cause injuries; they simply take advantage of raccoons’ sensitive paws.
The strips come in modular squares that can be snapped together, so homeowners can cover as much or as little space as they need. Critter Pricker can be placed around pools, on fences, near trash cans, under bird feeders, or anywhere else raccoons are causing problems.
Each strip costs homeowners between $27.99 and $32.99, depending on how many they order and where they buy. Joe’s company keeps the price reasonable to make it affordable for homeowners. The product is available for purchase on the official Critter Pricker website, where customers can also find videos and advice on how to install the strips effectively.
The company’s website explains the best places to install Critter Pricker and shares tips for preventing raccoon problems before they start. Customers can also find Critter Pricker products through some pool companies and specialty pest control stores in states like Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, and New York. The company continues to focus on growing its online presence and reaching more customers through digital marketing and social media.
What Happened To Critter Pricker After Shark Tank?
After Joe’s appearance on Shark Tank, Critter Pricker experienced a boost in publicity. The company’s website saw a spike in traffic, and orders increased in the weeks after the episode aired. Joe used Kevin’s investment to increase production and expand his sales efforts. Critter Pricker products are now available not only online but also through pest control businesses and some pool companies in several states.
Research for this update shows that the company is still in business as of 2024 and bringing in revenue between $500,000 and $1 million annually. Joe continues to focus on reaching new customers in Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, and New York, where raccoon problems are especially common.
Critter Pricker’s growth has been steady, although it hasn’t reached the level of a national brand yet. Joe keeps working to improve his marketing, and he also educates homeowners about humane raccoon deterrence. His website provides helpful information about why raccoons come to certain properties and how Critter Pricker can be part of a long-term solution.
The company’s commitment to humane pest control has helped it build a loyal customer base, and many homeowners report positive results after using the product.
Conclusion
Critter Pricker began with Joe Balistreri’s determination to solve a real problem faced by homeowners across America. He wanted to create a product that would keep raccoons away without harming them, and he succeeded with his simple yet effective spiked strips. Joe took his invention to Shark Tank and made a strong pitch to the sharks.
Even though most sharks had concerns about safety and liability, Kevin O’Leary believed in Joe’s product and offered him exactly what he asked for: $115,000 for 15% equity with a $2.50 royalty on each unit sold.
After the show, Critter Pricker grew slowly but steadily. The company is still in business today, serving customers in multiple states and bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Joe’s story shows that with creativity, experience, and persistence, it’s possible to turn a simple idea into a successful business that helps people and animals coexist peacefully.
Hey, I’m Amna Habib, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Shark Tank has always been one of my favorite TV shows because it offers a unique glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship. The way entrepreneurs present innovative solutions to everyday problems aligns with my academic interests and fuels my curiosity about business strategies. Each pitch showcases creativity and strategic decision-making, which I find both insightful and inspiring. Watching the show has deepened my passion for business and motivated me to explore the world of entrepreneurship even further. Beyond business and writing, I love food, shopping, and spending time with my friends and family.
