Ultrasonic Mice Repellers; Fact or Fiction?
Ultrasonic mice repellers may sound like the perfect solution to an unpleasant situation; a small, simple to operate, relatively inexpensive device that gets rid of your unwelcome houseguests without using traps or poisons. Does that sound too good to be true? Well, it just might be…
What are Ultrasonic Rodent Repellers?
What Do they Do?
Ultrasonic Rodent and Pest Repellers are small electrically powered devices that emit high frequency sounds, which claim to repel pests, including mice. Whilst such high frequency sounds cannot be heard by human ears, rodents can hear sounds at much higher frequencies, and, if the blurb on the box of these products is to be believed, such frequencies are deeply unpleasant to mice and other pests. This is the theory…but what about the scientific facts?
Do They Work?
- In 1969, Greaves & Rowe found that mice had a mild aversion to the sound of ultrasonic devices. However, this dislike reduced after a while as the mice became used to (habituated) to the sound. In their study, they discovered that if mice found a reliable food source, they would enter the room to get the food, even if it was placed directly next to the ultrasonic device. They also found that when the food source was removed, the mice still entered the room in search of food.
- In 1995, the University of Nebraska reviewed research reports and data sets for the effectiveness of 6 commercial ultrasonic devices . They concluded that ultrasonic pest repellers were insufficient in deterring rodents, and found rapid habituation with, “no significant repellency effects beyond 3 to 7 days of exposure.”
- Many ultrasonic devises also claim to repel other pests, such as Mosquitos. However, the BBC helped to expose this myth in it’s 2012 article. In 2018, Consumer Reports advised avoiding ultrasonic pest repellents as their claims at repelling Mosquitos are not supported by evidence.
- Ultrasonic sound can be absorbed by carpets, curtains, furniture, and other solid objects in your house, reducing any impact it might have had and creating dead spots where mice can evade the noise.
- In America, the Federal Trade Commission issued a letter in 2001 to over 60 manufacturers and retailers of ultrasonic pest-control devises, warning them to only make claims that could be supported by scientific evidence, or they would be non-compliant with the FTC Act prohibiting false and deceptive advertising.
- Other, non-human, non-target animals can hear ultrasonic sounds, such as dogs. If you have pets at home, they may be sensitive to ultrasonic devices.
Avon Pest Control believes more research needs to be done in this area to scientifically back up the vague claims put forward by some ultrasonic device companies. An inexpensive, non-chemical, convenient, perfectly safe mice repellent sounds amazing…but to be amazing it would have to actually work!
Sadly, DIY Pest Control is often Ineffective; Let Us, Trained Experts Take Care of It For You!
If mice are causing you problems in your home, give Avon Pest Control a call on 01926 632929 for professional advice, information, and effective, safe treatment pricing or visit our website here for more information on our services.