Insects can be a nuisance to humans and, under certain conditions, can be a hazard to the health and lives of people. There are many approaches to controlling insect populations, including chemical pesticide control, insect-repelling plants and insect traps. Electronic pest control devices also provide a convenient means for controlling insects in or near you home. Does this Spark an idea?
Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic is a term for the audio frequency range that is too high--more than 20,000 hertz--to be perceived by the human ear, but it can be perceived by insects and animals. Devices that emit ultrasonic sounds have long been used as a way to control misbehaving dogs, repel deer and to discourage insect proliferation. The efficacy of these devices at repelling insects is doubtful at best. The Federal Trade Commission and the American Mosquito Control Association have both warned consumers that scientific inquiries into the effectiveness of ultrasonic insect control devices have, at best, a temporary and fleeting effect on insect populations.
Electromagnetic Devices
Electromagnetic insect control devices claim to alter the electromagnetic field of your house's existing wiring so that it vibrates on a frequency that frightens and confuses insects, thereby driving them away from your home. Like ultrasonic insect control devices, the efficacy of electromagnetic devices has been little examined in scholarly studies. Also like ultrasonic insect repellents, the few times that the efficacy of these devices has been examined closely the results have been inconclusive at best. In general, electromagnetic devices may be effective at removing insects for a short time but they nearly always return.
Radio Wave Devices
Conversely, radio frequency devices are a new and promising method for controlling insect populations. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extensively tested RF frequencies on crops imported to and exported from the U.S. and the tests demonstrated that RF is effective at controlling insects. Radio frequencies are used to agitate bound water molecules and generate heat. Radio frequencies also agitate the water molecules inside insects, and more water is converted to thermal energy inside the insects than in plants and other organic matter, thereby compelling the insects to leave.
Electronic Insect Control Methods in Perspective
Though radio frequency technology is more promising at controlling insect populations than are ultrasonic or electromagnetic devices, in general, electronic methods for insect control are not as effective as commercially available pesticides. Consumers flock to electronic insect control as an alternative to using chemicals due to increasing concerns over the health and environmental effects of using chemical pesticides, but unfortunately electronic technologies for controlling insect populations by and large have not yet progressed to the point that they can be considered an effective alternative to chemical insecticides.
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