Are ultrasonic pest repellers worth it?

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If you have pets or small children around, or otherwise are concerned for your own chemical exposure, you may be interested in purchasing an ultrasonic pest control device. Whether you want to repel rodents, insects or wild game, a device exists for you. Let’s see how they operate and if they accomplish their intended purpose.

If you have pets or small children around, or otherwise are concerned for your own chemical exposure, you may be interested in purchasing an ultrasonic pest control device. Whether you want to repel rodents, insects or wild game, a device exists for you. Let’s see how they operate and if they accomplish their intended purpose.

How does ultrasonic pest control work?

Ultrasonic pest repellers, once plugged into an electrical outlet, operate by emitting short wavelength, high-frequency sound waves that are too high for humans to hear. The average young person hears sounds ranging from 20 to 20,000 Hz; whereas, a middle-aged person only hears up to 12-14,000 Hz. Animals and insects hear sounds in a much higher range. On average, ultrasonic devices emit a sound at about 65,000 Hz which, according to ultrasonic pest control device manufacturers, chases the pests away.

Keep in mind that if you did a few things around the home to deter pests, you might not need to resort to other methods. Sealing gaps, repairing screens and moving your firewood pile are just a few examples.

How long has ultrasonic pest control been around?

Although the use of electronic sound to control pests gained momentum in the 1950s and ’60s, experimentation with this technology started as early as 1948. The first patent for an ultrasonic pest device was issued in the 1960s. Many more patents have been issued since.

Are ultrasonic pest products cost-effective?

On average, an ultrasonic pest repeller lasts from three to five years. You know that it’s working if the LED light on the device is lit. You can buy a six-pack of these devices for less than $30. So, considering that sprays must be re-applied and traps need to be replaced frequently, yes, the ultrasonic device is cost-effective.

These 11 strategies for do-it-yourself pest control are actually quite creative.

Does ultrasonic pest control really work?

Because these devices aren’t regulated by the EPA, some folks are skeptical of their claims. According to an article by the BBC, entomologist Bart Knols asserts there is “no scientific evidence whatsoever” that ultrasound repels mosquitoes. The results of scientific studies for such products are all over the map, showing some pests respondent while others not so much. However, many of these types of products on sites for online retailers have plenty of 5-star reviews.

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Buy a six-pack of ultrasonic pest repellers on Amazon now.

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Originally Published: April 08, 2019

Carol J. Alexander

Carol J. Alexander is a Virginia writer specializing in sustainable/green living, home remodeling, and lifestyle topics. Since 2007, her work has appeared in Grit, AcreageLife, Hobby Farms, and over 70 other national, regional, and local print publications, as well as online. Carol helps clients position themselves as an authority in the marketplace by providing easy-to-understand, educational content that attracts readers, answers their questions, and meets their needs.

There’s been a lot of hype around ultrasonic pest control, not to mention marketing efforts. Electric pest repellers range in cost from $10 all the way up to $800. The reason they’ve received so much publicity is because many ultrasonic pest control devices position themselves as "safer" or "easier" ways to control pest populations in homes. But, the big questions are, how do these devices repel pests and do they actually work?

How Ultrasonic Pest Repellers Work

Ultrasonic Pest Repeller devices use high-frequency, ultrasonic sound waves that are above the range of sounds that humans can hear or process. In theory, the noise from the device causes a psychological response in pests that leads to distress. Pests will then flee from the room or area where these signals are present, freeing homes of pests without chemicals or much effort at all.

Most of these ultrasonic pest repellers are intended to be plugged into wall outlets and claim to protect the room in which they’re located. According to the instructions, harder and more reflective surfaces like cabinets, mirrors, and countertops increase the effectiveness of electric pest repellers. There are also battery operated options marketed toward individuals who enjoy spending time outside and want to keep mosquitos away, along with rodents, birds and other bugs often found outdoors.

So, do pest repellers really work?

NO! Ultrasonic pest repellers are a hoax and have fooled many unsuspecting consumers. While they seem like a nice family- and pet-safe solution to traditional pest control methods, they are a scam; which is a bummer because the idea of them sounds great.

A few studies have shown success with specific insects, such as crickets. However, this success was usually very localized. For example, the pests might have avoided the one particular room where the electronic pest repeller was located, but they did not evacuate the entire house. There has been no proven success on cockroaches, ants, spiders or rodents.

Even the devices they can "prove" work in their test environments do not represent how well they work in real-world situations like your home. In reality, the signal and sound is weakened by almost everything found in homes - furniture, carpet, blankets, pillows, rugs, any fabric-based items reduces the signal because they absorb it.

Are electric pest repellers safe?

While these devices are safe for humans, there is still no proven evidence that they actually work. Ultrasonic pest repellers are advertised as a safe and environmentally-friendly option to keep pests out of your home, but we still get a lot of questions about them. One of the most common questions we’re asked is if they’re safe for pets.

Are ultrasonic pest repellers harmful for pets?

Electric pest repellers release high, ultrasonic sounds to keep pests away, and these same noises can sometimes distress your pets too. If your family has rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters or other small pets, ultrasonic pest repellers can cause them varying degrees of distress depending on how close they are to the device.

These devices have even been known to affect some reptiles. While cats and dogs can hear the ultrasonic waves, ultrasonic repellers do not generally harm or distress them. The sound being emitted would have to be rather loud to affect an animal as large as a cat or dog.

Do ultrasonic pest repellers affect Wi-Fi or household devices?

We also get asked about the impact of these devices on other household items. While electric pest repellers do not affect Wi-Fi, they have been documented to interfere with telephone quality and reception of both landlines and cell phones.

There have also been reports of interference and disruptions with home security systems as well as hearing aids. So, aside from not living up to expectations, it’s definitely worth thinking twice about them to ensure all your daily-use devices work properly.

Superior Pest Control Methods

All pest control methods used by our team at Preferred Pest Control are pet- and kid-friendly and safe for the home environment. Our experienced technicians do not use unnecessary chemicals and are always careful to ensure the area being treated and the people or pets within it are safe.

There are many pest control tactics to consider besides ultrasonic pest repellers that are eco-friendly and safe for kids and pets including:

• Glue boards. Placing glue boards in problem areas at the first sign of a pest’s presence is an effective way to catch unwanted visitors wandering about the house.
• Seal cracks and crevices. For rodents, anything larger than 1/4 inch is an invitation inside. For insects, it can be even smaller. Sealing those entry points makes it harder for them to enter your home.
• Keep plants to a minimum. Dense vegetation directly next to homes is a common place for pests to build nests before moving inside homes.
• Place traps in problem areas. If you do not want to use poison or chemicals, traps are an efficient way to contain rodent populations.
• Call in the professionals. Many pest control companies have environmentally-friendly pest control options that are safe for households that include pets and children. Ask questions before deciding on a pest control company and make sure they have solutions that fit your particular situation.

If an infestation is a concern, it is better to get ahead of it while you can. Insects and other pests breed and reproduce quickly, so it is important to take action right away!

Don’t Be Fooled By Ultrasonic Pest Repellers, Trust Preferred Pest Control

For professional assistance with pest control, we’re here for you. Our experts can provide straightforward recommendations for containing, removing and preventing infestations and pests of any kind in a kid- and pet-friendly, non-toxic way. Schedule an appointment with our experts at Preferred Pest Control for services you can trust.

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