Many electronic pest removal or repellent devices claim that they provide effective removal of rodents and insects. But if you are considering purchasing such a device for your home, you should know that research indicates that these claims are unfounded. Specifically, electronic devices such as ultrasonic and subsonic insect repellents, which produce high- and low-frequency sound waves, have various flaws that make them ineffective at repelling insects and other pests. Does this Spark an idea?
Insect Ultrasonic Devices
Insect ultrasonic devices function by creating high-frequency sound waves that operate at a frequency above what humans and pets can hear, which is in the range of 10,000 hertz. According to Walterreeves.com, these ultrasonic devices do not in fact produce sound waves that are in the ultrasonic wavelength. In fact, they only produce sound waves just above what the human ear can hear.
In November 2006, the Instituto de Biologica, Departamento de Parasitologia, in Brazil conducted a clinical trial to test the efficacy of ultrasonic devices on repelling mosquitoes. The clinical trial found that the device was no more effective at repelling a mosquito from a person's hand than if the device were not being used.
Rodent Ultrasonic Devices
According to Leonard R. Ashkam, a former Research Scientist for Washington State University Extension, ultrasonic devices are ineffective because they produce too weak a sound wave to affect rodents, and the hearing of rodents and humans are similar enough that these devices would disturb humans as well.
More importantly, he notes that if these devices did significantly affect small rodents, they would also negatively affect any pet rodents or cats and dogs.
Ashkam also notes that the ultrasonic sound devices are far too weak to travel far enough in the home to repel the rodents. In fact, most devices do not extend beyond a distance of 15 feet.
Rodent Subsonic Devices
Subsonic devices function on the same principles as the ultrasonic devices, but they operate in a lower sound-frequency range. Manufacturers of these products claim that they operate in a low-frequency range that only rodents and insects can hear.
These products do not work for similar reasons noted above. Moreover, obstructions in the home, like couches and other furniture, block the sound frequency from spreading throughout the room.
Ashkam even indicates that states like Texas have prohibited manufacturers from selling subsonic devices in their state because they simply do not work.
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