Please note that this post includes two consumer polls which are open to anyone who would like to have an input. We would appreciate your input into this, please vote in the two polls below.
Pest controllers are constantly asked if those plug in the wall sonic, ultrasonic, electromagnetic etc devices really work.
The manufacturers and retailers all claim they do work. They allege that feral rats and mice will pack up and leave, yet it will cause no harm or bother domestic cats and dogs (or pet rats and mice for that matter) . What marvelously clever devices that know how to frighten and annoy bothersome pests but recognize our beloved pets and leave them alone!
Cockroaches do initially respond to electronic pest control devices by becoming slightly agitated and move around more than usual, but there has never been any evidence to support that they endeavour to escape from the sound waves. These observations include devices that emit uniform frequency as well as changing and pulsing frequencies of ultrasound.
Most pest controllers are able to tell of personal experiences where cockroaches have been found clustered around these devices, seeking out the warmth they generate.
Rodents merely adjust to the ultrasound (or any new sound) and eventually will ignore it. At best, ultrasonic waves have only a partial or temporary effect on rodents.
The University of Newcastle (Australia) and many USA universities have studied and flatly rejected ultrasonic sound as a practical means of rodent control. Ultrasound has not been shown to drive rodents from buildings or areas, nor has it been proven to cause above normal mortality in rodent populations.
Some people that have used them claim that they work for them, so it cannot rightfully be said that the devices should never be used, but all the research evidence points toward these devices not being worth the money, time, or effort.
Tests of commercial ultrasonic devices have indicated that rodents may be repelled from the immediate area of the ultrasound device for a few minutes, perhaps even up to a few days, but the rodents will nearly always return and resume normal activities. Other tests have shown that the degree of repellency depends on the frequency, intensity, and the pre-existing condition of the rodent infestation. The intensity of such sounds is thought to be so great that damage to humans and domestic animals would also be likely. Commercial ultrasonic pest control devices do not produce sounds of such intensity.
Most television adverts selling these products adopt scare tactics. Usually they quote data on the labels of pesticides containers etc. Clearly the data is from agricultural products intended for outdoor use, and certainly from no product approved for interior domestic use. Most advertising focuses on the “Green” conscience that most of us have, but that does not prove that these devices work. No firm who produces this type of product is able to produce any respected university based test results that support the notion that the products work.
Another Aspect
Danger of Fire
Fire authorities are forever warning us not to leave appliances such as microwaves, toasters etc plugged in and switched on. They even advise us not to leave televisions and DVD players left in “Stand by” mode due to the increased dangers of fire due to overheating and malfunction. Insect and Rodent repelling devices are no safer or less likely to cause a household fire.
Global Warming
With more information at hand, we now understand that unnecessarily using electricity contributes to global warming. Sure these devices use just a small amount of electricity, but multiplied by the ten of thousands sold, it all adds up. Electricity consumption necessarily causes an increase of carbon dioxide, and wasted electricity merely adds to the “carbon foot print” we will leave behind.
It would be exceptionally difficult to find any pest controller anywhere throughout the world who gives any credibility to these “so called” pest repelling devices. If we believed they worked, we would certainly be offering them to our clients.
Electronic Insect Attracting Devices.
This article is not intended to include Electronic Insect Attracting Devices such as mosquito and other flying insect “zappers”. They are proven products that attract with ultra violet light and destroy (or capture) flying insects. Many pest controllers sell, service and endorse these devices.
Technorati Tags: sonic pest repelling , pest control , pest control products , electronic pest free products
Please vote in these two polls below, also add a comment if you would like to let others know your experiences with electronic pest free repelling products.
[poll=2] [poll=3]
Hi
I have bought one of these type of products in the past for my office which was next to a take-away. We had lots of mice and cockroaches in the office. The one i got was a waste of time because i saw cockroaches and mice in the office when it was on.
Hi ya,
Many people seem to be using these new electronic devices now to deal with pest problems as they are generally more humane and are easier for the person to deal with.
Patrick
Patrick
It is true, many people do buy these devices. But, are these many people obtaining insect control by using the device?
Many Universities and independent researchers have trialled these devices, and NOT one has been able to give them the thumbs up.
Pest control firms would be utilising these devices as part of their IPM strategy if they were a useful tool!
I note from your web site that you sell these devices.
Hi,
We bought one of these devices for our home and quickly got rid of it as our 5 month old puppy got very sick. He started vomitting 12 hours after turning the device on and stopped eating. After a vet visit, a needle and anti-biotics he is now recovering. I would not suggest one of these if you have small pets inside. They are not safe.
I bought one of these from Tandy ( intertan ) who I thought to be a reputable firm ! The device made absolutely no difference what ever to anything , it was even supposed to modulate the house wiring with an electro magnetic pulse , all psuedo science though !!
We certainly live and learn don’t we ?
I have spoken to a number of retailers, including national chains in the UK after buying one of these whole house repellers that supposedly send electromagnetic pulses around the wiring. They all claim they work, they all claim they are safe for people and pets, and are safe and wont damage computers or electrical equipment.
HOWEVER, when you ask them, none of the folk who sell these electronic and electromagnetic rat repellers can tell you how what the electromagetic pulse is, what frequency, etc, or how it works, none can provide any scientific proof of efficacy, and more worryingly, none of those I asked can provide any proof that this has been tested to prove that the electromagnetic pulses dont adversely affect computers or electronic equipment.
I either got rebuffed, told that this is the responsibility of the manufacturers.
One of the managers at one retailers told me they were quit sceptical when they firts came in, and always offer a refund if people want to send them back, and say “manufacturrs claim”. We had a quite a light hearted conversation, laughing about whether they were any better than elephant powder (seen any elephants since you sarted using it?) or snake oil…
are the claims these retailers make legal? are they allowed to rely on the manufacturers claims and not have to do any testing themselves if they make these claims on their websites? who knows, may depend on the country…
personally I wish I hadnt bought mine, and wont plug it in until the manufacturer can tell me what the electromagnetic pulse is, what evidence they have it works, and what testing has ben done to prove it wont stuff up my computers or hard drives.
gaaah!
Wow, I never knew heard about electronic insect and rodent repellers before. That’s pretty interesting… wipl.systems@gmail.com
Been around, and silently NOT working for a good few years.
Thank you Vicki! Oh my gosh…I had a fleeting thought that maybe the ultrasonic pest control device was bothering my newborn teacup Malti-Poo. Eversince I brought him home a week and a half ago he has not been eating, very lethargic, occasionally throwing up and just not the playful puppy I saw initially. I would never have guessed! Hopefully now, and with the Vet’s help he’ll become his active self again. Thanks for the input everyone.
Kerri, some frequencies do bother animals for a short while, and I suspect pups might be more prone than a fully grown dog.
They usually become accustomed to them rather quickly.
Not likely that an on-going problem would be caused by the device. Glad to know you wisely consulted a vet.
And… don’t rely on on the device to keep you pest free.
i had a n electronic & pest control machine but left it when i moved and i thought it was great where can i buy another