Scarecrow Motion–Activated Sprinkler

Very cool — and wet.

Here's how it works:

1) Connect the battery–operated device (top) to your hose

2) Stick it in the ground

3) Wait

When the built–in heat and motion detector senses movement —up to 35 feet in front and 45 feet to the sides throughout its 100° detection zone (below) —

it shoots a 3–second, 2–cup water burst at the trespasser.

It then resets in 7 seconds, "ready for the next intruder."

"The effect is both startling and immediate!"

No doubt.

You get up to 5,000 bursts from a single 9-V battery.

The device is 24" tall and covers a 1,000–square–foot area.

Effective day and night.

So much fun you'll want to invite all your unwitting friends over (sequentially would probably be best) so you can enjoy their startled screams and bad words.

Mollify them by offering a fluffy towel and the chance to watch the next hapless victim get hers.

Karen Schindelhauer, marketing manager of Scarecrow maker Contech Electronics, told Sarah Bailey, in today's USA Today, "I get cards from people saying they haven't had roses for years because of cats and now they finally have something in their garden."

Bailey's story continued, "And then there are the unconventional uses. One customer put The Scarecrow outside her son's window to prevent him from sneaking out at night. 'Her son was soaking wet and couldn't lie about it,' Schindelhauer says."

How nice.

The device retails for $89, said the USA Today story; I found it for for $56.95 here. (9-V battery and rose seeds not included.)