No one wants to have to deal with pest problems, but the reality of living in a world full of bugs, rodents and other unwanted critters is that we must. Doing our best to use natural pest control methods that are the least harmful to the things that “bug” us seems like a no-brainer in the responsibility to the planet and our fellow creatures department.
Ultrasonic pest repellers would seem to fit that bill. They don’t use chemicals so cause no harm to the planet, and they don’t require that any insect be killed or maimed. That means no harm to pests that you really just want to keep out of your house. But do these devices actually work?
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What Are Ultrasonic Pest Repellers?
Ultrasonic pest repellers are devices that plug into an electrical outlet and, theoretically, emit a sound well outside of the frequency detectable by human ears. The exact frequency can vary between manufacturers, but most are above 20,000 Hz, and many even above 65,000 Hz. There are now also super low frequency pest repellers, known as subsonic pest repellers, on the market that emit sounds below 20 Hz.
When plugged into an outlet, and configured per the instructions on the device, the frequency is generated continuously. If they are to work properly, of course, you must be very careful about where and how you place the pest repeller, since other animals, including pets, may be able to hear them. Besides, you wouldn’t want to accidentally drive pests into your home seeking shelter from your sonic pest repeller.
What Pests Do They Target?
When turned on, the ultrasonic pest repeller’s high frequency can drive away pests, such as:
- co*ckroaches
- Mosquitoes
- Bed bugs
- Flies
- Fleas and ticks (you can even find pet collars with battery-operated ultrasonic devices embedded in them)
- Silverfish
- Birds
- Rats and mice
How Do Ultrasonic Pest Repellers Work?
In theory, the sound that ultrasonic and subsonic pest repellers make is so upsetting to the target pest, that it keeps them away from homes. Instead of going near the device, they move away from it. .
These ultrasonic pest repellers can work in different ways based on the frequency of the device and the manufacturer.
Are Ultrasonic Pest Repellers Effective?
In the 1980s, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged manufacturers of these devices with false advertising and made them return money to customers because the devices were determined to not effectively repeal or eliminate pests from homes and gardens.
Although some pests, like mice, might be convinced to avoid the sound emitted from ultrasonic and subsonic pest repellers, the effect is only temporary. Just like scare traps for many animals, mice and other smart creatures figure out quickly that the sound emitted from these devices isn’t actually dangerous to them, only annoying.
People who have reported results from ultrasonic pest repellers often buy them as precautions, hoping to prevent mice, bats or roaches from entering their homes in the first place. But, the truth is that these pests aren’t everywhere, all the time, trying to get inside, nor are they likely to be able to enter homes that are already well-sealed.
It’s pretty easy for a device to appear to work when the pest it’s supposed to repel isn’t in the vicinity.
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Are Ultrasonic Pest Repellers Safe?
Unlike other pest treatments that use toxic insecticides to eradicate the problem, an ultrasonic pest repeller only uses high-frequency sounds (above 20 kilohertz) to keep pests away from your home. Therefore, they are safe to use around your family, and you don’t have to evacuate your home.
Are Ultrasonic Pest Repellers Safe for Pets?
Unlike humans, ultrasonic pest repellers could affect your furry friends a little. Since cats can hear up to 60 kHz and dogs can pick up sounds to 40 kHz, it’s not a matter of if your pests can hear the ultrasonic pest repellers; it’s a matter of if it could cause damage. However, your family’s pet will likely not pay much attention to the high-frequency sound, and it won’t cause them any harm.
How Much Does Ultrasonic Pest Control Cost?
From as little as$10up to nearly$100, the cost of ultrasonic pest control devices can undoubtedly vary. Depending on how severe your infestation is, a few factors will affect the cost of the ultrasonic pest repellers, such as how many repellers you’ll need, what type of pest you need to repel and what distinct features you want the repellers to have.
Alternative Pest Control Options
You may find that ultrasonic pest repellers are not the most efficient pest control. Therefore, it is essential to know your alternatives—according to the EPA, using bait is an excellent first option, while chemical pesticides should be the following line of defense. Finally, if an infestation is too severe, hiring a pest control professional is the best option to deal with pests quickly and effectively.
Some Tips for Effective Pest Control
Rather than waste hard-earned money on a product that’s been shown for decades to be ineffective, a homeowner with an active infestation can take some simple steps to reduce the odds of most types of pests invading or staying around. There’s always a chance that something will wander in, but there are plenty of natural and effective ways to lower your risk.
1. Eliminate Sources of Food
This is probably the simple most effective way to deal with most kinds of pest problems. Once you know the pest you’re trying to avoid, or the one you’re trying to get rid of, figure out what it eats. In the case of things like roaches and mice,they eat just about anything, so cleanliness is key.
Keep pet food up and in air-tight containers, clean up spills immediately and don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink, since these can be food sources, too. Storing all groceries in air-tight containers is also helpful, in case these creatures have a more firm footing than you believed.
2. Seal Up the Cracks
Weatherizing your home is a great way to keep the cold air out in the winter and the heat out in the summer, but it’s also one step closer to keeping all the bugs at bay, too. Making sure that all caulk is properly installed, that trim is sealed and that doors and windows close tightly (and have screens that fit right) is a great first step to keeping bugs out.
In addition, check your eaves and other access points into your attic or crawlspace or basem*nt. Any areas that are open for airflow, like vents, should be fitted with tight screens. Pipes or wires that run into the house should be sealed around the outside, and indoor drains covered tightly. Small insects can even come in through things like electrical switches, but installing special insulation sheets inside can help.
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3. Eliminate Safe Harbor
It’s much harder for a pest to come into your home if it’s a long march across hostile territory. You don’t need to completely eliminate your lawn and garden, but you can do a lot of things to help take away safe harbor that might protect these creatures from their natural predators.
For example, if you have rock or stick piles near your home, move those closer to the back fence. Many different kinds of creatures can use these for cover on their way into your home. Even too-deep mulch can hide animals like roaches, so be mindful of what you’re putting near your house.
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Ornamental plants can also be part of a safe passage for unwanted beasts. When you trim your bushes, make sure there aren’t any limbs less than 12 inches from the ground. This makes it a lot harder for animals to hide under. Plants that aren’t limbed can benefit from thinning, so that overgrowth doesn’t harbor fugitives.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, eliminating the use of pesticide, or only using targeted pesticides for specific issues, can also help make your yard less safe for pests. Broad spectrum pesticides often kill everything nearby, including the predators that call your yard home. If you have a healthy predator colony (especially predatory insects), this will help stop problem infestations before they ever start.