Either as a last resort or as part of an integral pest management plan, ultrasonic pest repellers can save you a lot of nuisance and additional pest control costs.

Whether you have an ant problem, roaches terrorizing your home, or mice trotting down your kitchen floor, ultrasound may help you ward off these little buggers.

Especially if  you’ve tried everything such as traps, powders, Hot Shot mixes, Dupont gels, and baits and whatnot.

It must be noted that they’re not an end-all cure but these little gizmos do offer some advantages (provided that they work, more about that in a bit).

Instead of messing with poisons or other chemical compounds and time-consuming traps that require maintenance you may be considering an easy plug-and-play repeller.

They offer a safe way of getting rid of pests when compared to sticky traps, gels and liquid baits, rat pastes, and other chemicals that are potentially hazardous when children and pets are present.

But let me guess, you were wondering, do they actually work?

Critical customers will want to do their due diligence and find out if ultrasonic pest control devices actually work before making a purchase.

Admitted, the premise of a ‘supersonic’ gadget being able to rid pests sounds shady. Yet, when properly used, you can definitely use them to your advantage.

Another essential question that rises; how should you use them?

Also; which one is best for your specific situation? Do you need to get a dedicated rodent repellent or does an all-purpose device suffice?

 

How do ultrasonic pest repellers work?

These devices send out short wavelength, high frequency sound waves into the ultrasonic range that are unbearable to rats, roaches, ants and other pests.

Ultrasonic repellers cause distress in these creatures as they target the nervous system of pests . This may cause confusion and seizures among critters and even kill the pests.

The high-frequency sound they emit is in-audible to the human ear and safe to use around children. These gadgets operate on electricity either by batteries or by being plugged into a socket.

Ultrasonic means sound of more than 20,000 Hz.

They emit frequencies around 20,000 Hertz which we humans can’t hear whereas critters may be seriously disturbed by it.

For instance; grasshoppers hear ultrasonic sound ranging from 50,000Hz to 100,000Hz and moths can hear sound up to 240,000Hz.

 

Which pests can be repelled?

These devices may work on a variety of pests including; mice, cockroaches, fleas, bats, flies, ants, spiders, rodents,  squirrels, raccoons, and opossums.

 

Do ultrasonic pest repellers really work?

The  short answer. Yes they do live up to their claims but it requires proper application and depends on which type of  pest you want to repel.

However, don’t expect a magic bullet. Studies indicate that some of these products show results with certain pests.

Yet, study results are mixed. Keep in mind that none of these gadgets shows 100% effectiveness on any pest.

Because every type of animal is different, their ability to hear ultrasonic sound varies. And thus their tolerance fluctuates meaning that it depends on which frequency you are utilizing on which type of creature.

Various animals, such as rodents, bats, insects, moths, and dogs can hear well into the ultrasonic range. Some can detect higher frequencies than others.

 

Not all tested devices turned out to be effective

Researchers concluded the following.

“Ultrasound and Arthropod Pest Control” (2001), an extensive Kansas State University study,[1] confirmed that ultrasonic sound devices do have both a repellent effect as well as reduces mating and reproduction of insects. However, the results were mixed, and ultrasonic sound had little or no effect on some pests.

 

What to consider before buying an electronic pest repeller

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Keep in mind..

To set realistic expectations. Studies show that ultrasonic pest control devices can cause a pest decrease, not a complete eradication of rodent and insect infestations.

And to be aware of diminishing returns. Pests may become accustomed to the specific wavelength of your ultrasonic device, thus, results could just be temporary.

Mice get used to the ultrasonic waves, you will have to kill them or get rid of them humanely.

Read the money-back small print. To ensure a so called ‘ 100% satisfaction rate ‘ many manufacturers offer a money back guarantee. If this is important to you, make sure to check the terms. Some brands offer a 30 days money-back guarantee which often is too short as devices may only start to work after a few weeks.  Some brands have a 90 days refund policy which seems more realistic.

 

How to use these devices?

Besides picking the right type of repeller there’s also proper placement and knowing how to properly use these devices.

Size: an ultrasonic repeller should be appropriate to the size of the room it will be used. Getting those spiders in your bathroom to move on will require a smaller device then if you need to shoo squirrels from the attic.

Action radius: Make sure to take the action radius into account. A specific device may for instance repel pests within an action radius of 200 m².

This may suffice for keeping squirrels out of the garage but will not keep Fido from next door out from pooping in your strawberry beds.

For most models goes: use one in each room you want to keep pest free.

“Ultrasonic waves are aimed at a direct spot to (potentially) repel pests from that spot.”

Obstructions: the sound does not travel through walls so if you need more than one room to

Choose proper locations. Ultrasonic pest control devices emit weak and short range sound waves which are easily blocked by walls, furniture, and corners.

 

Ultrasonic pest repellent tip:

Don’t rely solely on these gadgets.

Use traps too. Continue (or start if you haven’t already) using traps. Whether you need to get rid of insects or rodents (or both) ultrasonic pest repellents work best in conjunction with trapping. Ultrasonic sound waves make the pests to scamper, driving them into the traps.

 

Are my pets affected?

If you’re trying to tackle a mice problem, the last thing you’ll want is to scare your cat away with your new ultrasonic pest repeller.

After all, Kitty does a terrific job in keeping the mice population down. Rest assured, ultrasonic sound is not audible to cats and dogs.

Do keep in mind that your beloved Gremlin the gerbil and Cottonball the hamster or other pet rodents may not be amused with your new device.

It’s commonly thought that birds can hear these high-pitch ultrasonic sound too but this is a myth. So your repelling device won’t work on scaring those pigeons away.

 

Which types of pest repellers are there?

Ultrasonic pest repellers come in different categories such as bug repellers, rodent repellers but also dog repellents, cat repellents (to keep the neighbor’s cat from shitting in your shrubbery). When it comes to bug and rodent repellers there’s basically plug-in repellers and corded units. The latter being more costly and often more powerful.

 

 

Ultrasonic Pest Repeller Reviews

Top 4 best electronic pest repelling devices

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1. Best for mice and other rodents

Victor M792 Heavy-Duty Sonic PestChaser

Even though this device has an average 3,5 star rating on Amazon it’s always wise to take a close look at the negative reviews.

Opinions on the efficacy of Victor’s PestChaser vary widely. User experiences range from ‘does not help’ such as the comments on this YouTube video to ‘works wonderful’ and ‘ finally helped me get rid of pests’.

The bad reviews are likely to be largely caused by customers not having followed the instructions in the manual. As it explains, it’s crucial to first get rid of the mice in case you already have a mice problem (i.e by using traps or poison). This device works merely as a preventative measure.

Also important to know, some people claim they can hear the sound which they often find annoying.

This makes this particular device potentially better suited for a basement than the living room. For areas in the home where people actually live Victor’s NightLight would be better suited.

2. Best for cockroaches

BugzOff Pest Control Ultrasonic Repellent

Although advertised as an effective ultrasonic repelling device for all kinds of pests this device shows to work better for cockroaches and other insects such as flies and mosquitoes.

When used properly and/or in combination with additional pest control measures this device seems to work well for many users. No more spraying chemical and potential hazardous Baygon and Delamethrin. Functions as a night light too.

“The main thing it seems to do is make it easier to kill cockroaches. Not sure if it actually repels them. Also seems to deter spiders. Doesn’t keep ants at bay at all.”

 

3. Best for mice, ants, and bugs

Aspectec Home Sentinel 5 in 1 Repeller

Aspectec’s ultrasonic, ionic, and electromagnetic Home Sentinel comes with a money-back guarantee, has a ‘ pet-safe’ setting so it doesn’t scare off your dog or cat, and proofs to work well on keeping mice and other pests out.  You do have to place one in each room that is infested. Possible more than one in case of large rooms.

 

4. Best for ants, flies, spiders, and mosquitoes

 

Don’t expect too much of the blue light as it’s pretty drab.  User reviews are mixed as the Eco Defense pest repeller seems to work for some whereas others are sure it doesn’t do a thing. Overall the most positive reviews mention the Eco Defense being able to ward off spiders and flying insects. Mice and rats seem to care less about this gadget.

 

Are they safe to use?

Yes, ultrasonic repellers are safe around pets and humans. For this reason, and because of minimal intrusiveness, affordability and longevity, pest repeller devices that use high-frequency sounds are gaining popularity.

 You may also like:

 

The Top 6 Best Bug Zappers To Buy In 2016

 

How To Get Rid Of Ants Without Killing Them

 

How To Get Rid Of Mice In House Without Killing Them

 

18 Ways To Keep Your Home Mosquito-Free

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a cold hard fact, winter weather drives mice and rats into our homes. In fall, with cooler weather moving in, several critters will be dying to invade your home to stay nice and warm.

Mice breed fast and one mouse taking up residence in  your home may result in a populations that exceeds 200 specimens within a matter of months.

Thinking about it just makes you want to curl up in bed, feet safely off of the floor until you can come out of hibernation in the spring. If all you had to go up against were a few ants and the occasional spider, it wouldn’t be so bad.

It’s those squirmy little mice that you dread. With beady eyes and worm-like tails, they infest the walls and comfy corners of your home without a second thought of consideration towards you and your family.

How will you keep these pesky rodents from bedding down and chewing up the walls of your home?

It makes you wonder, are there effective ways to get rid of mice naturally? To get rid of mice without killing them.  After all, you don’t want a bunch of dead mice laying around, rotting behind the cupboards or walls causing an odor problem.

Obviously you’re not looking for woolly methods unrealistic treehuggers would use but a humane way to get rid of the pest that actually works.

Here are your options. Keep in mind that although popular, they are not evenly effective. We have listed pros and cons of each method.

The first and most important step is prevention.

How to prevent mice from entering your home

As soon as summer months start to slip away, it’s time to start thinking about your strategy for keeping mice out of the house.

Create barriers and block any entrances. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it because once mice have settled in they can be extremely hard to get rid of.

Mice commonly have their nests in attics, lofts, storage boxes, and wall interiors.

The first step in mousy warfare is to work from the inside of your home out to block any holes and tunnels mice have created to get in.

How far should you go in blocking holes?

Key here is to seal up every opening mice could enter your home through.

• Repair holes in outside walls, floorboards or skirting boards. Fix broken air bricks.
• Tidy up cupboards.
• Remove nesting material.
• Inspect if doors (especially the garage door which is often the main entrance for mice) seal well. If not make sure to ensure it does seal well.

Keep in mind that the common house mouse (Mus domesticus) is approximately 2 inch long and weighs about an ounce allowing it to sleep through openings just slightly larger than a pencil.

Mice can enter through extremely small holes.

Other common, uninvited guests are yellow-necked mice, wood mice,  and brown rats.

What to use as blocking material?

Depending on the size of the hole, you can either block it with something like a scouring pad or dish sponge, or you may need to repair the hole by filling it with plaster or caulk.

Steel wool for smaller and wire mesh for bigger holes if generally recommended by pest control professionals.

Either way, by starting from the inside of the house and working your way out, mice that are attempting to get in through the blocked holes will probably give up and exit through the outer holes on your house.

Make sure you’ve sealed all holes inside before starting on the outside

You can easily find entrances where mice have tunneled through by checking for droppings, stains and undesirable smells these rodents leave behind.

Once you’re sure the mice have fled the scene, start on the outer walls and seal them up to prevent curious mice from coming back and tunneling a new hole.

Keep your home tidy

Mice love nothing more than a dirty house. Not only stinking garbage but even lingering food crumbs make your home an open buffet for these little critters.

You can easily prevent mice in your home by making it as unappetizing to them as possible.

Make sure all the surfaces in your home are clean and that food is not left laying around in the open air where mice can smell it.

Mice don’t roam large areas. They generally nest near their food source, so the critical element of effective mouse control is to find their food source. Once their food source is removed the mice can not survive.

Keep your floors swept to reduce food particles laying around and vacuum at least once a week. You might not see any crumbs in the carpet, but even a tiny fleck of a Cheeto can be detected by mice.

Keep pet food and grass seed in closed containers that mice aren’t able to chew into.

Change garbages often and keep your outdoor ones a safe distance from your home. Garbages are like homing beacons for mice.

Use smells that mice hate

Although garbages may ring the dinner bell for mice, some sources claim that mice absolutely hate certain smells and as a result will stay far away from them.

Often recommended is peppermint oil which is a natural solution that supposedly repels mice with its strong scent. Mice have extremely sensitive noses, so any smell they don’t like hits them much harder. Peppermint oil will also keep insects out of your home, especially spiders.

Simply place cotton balls with a few drops of real peppermint oil on them around your home; target areas where you suspect mouse activity.

Natural home remedies that involve cayenne pepper and Tabasco sauce are also helpful because of their spicy scent.

Garlic salt will keep rodents away for a time, but eventually they’ll work their way past it. Stick to stronger scents to deter mice. They’re not only organic, but they won’t harm the mice if that’s something you wish to avoid.

The downside of using sprays or scents is that these are not science-backed solutions. They are not generally recommended by professional pest control companies.

Mice may find the smells irritating but they will be able to find their way around them so these are not a viable solution when it comes to natural ways of getting rid of mice.

Use electronic repellents

Along with a sensitive nose, mice also have excellent hearing that makes them susceptible to high-pitched ultrasonic waves. At least, that’s the theory.

Using sonar repellents such as the well-reviewed Rid-Tech Ultrasonic Pest Repeller is a humane solution to mouse traps and poisoned baits.

However, mice can become accustomed to the sounds of ultrasonic devices and will eventually ignore them.

There’s also the fact that the sound is blocked by walls and furniture, thus diminishing their effectivity.

There’s little to no scientific evidence that high frequency sounds emitted by electronic mouse repellents are effective.

Electronic devices may an effective solution, but only temporary.

The best way to get rid of mice without killing them

Poisons and inhumane mouse traps will leave a litter of little corpses around, which isn’t healthy for anyone involved. Another downside of poisons; they are bad for mice so they are for children and pets too.

There’s also the fact that traditional mouse poisons cause internal bleedings in the mice klling them slowly and painfully which puts many people off.

Luckily, there are more friendly ways to keep mice away that don’t involve toxic chemicals and your own personal mouse graveyard.

Non-lethal mouse traps

If you find yourself with a mouse infestation that needs more than preventative measures, trapping the mice with non-lethal devices will help you cut down the population.

Live-catching mousetraps are your best solution in case you don’t want to kill mice. Some of these traps attract mice via food baits. Once the mouse is inside a door will snap closed, capturing the critter.

Mouse traps are very effective, especially in capturing individual specimens. Make sure to be early in attacking the problem though, once your house has been infested, more extreme pest control measures may be necessary to get rid of the problem.

There are many different kinds of traps. Some devices are available to purchase at a store or online, while others are easy to make yourself at home.

• The downside of trapping (inhumane and humane) is that it takes more effort than, for instance, using poison.

• The advantage of this method is that it allows you to catch and release mice without having to touch them.

Where to  place traps?

Place traps wherever there are mouse droppings. Commonly behind appliances and throughout the home where the walls meet the floor.

“You want them perpendicular to the wall, with the baited end closest to the wall,” Mr. Martin of pest control company Terminix said to the NY Times.

Use an attractive bait

Mice will nibble on pretty much anything, but it helps to use one of their favorite foods.

The mouse love cheese myth

Cheese is surprisingly not as attractive to them as cartoons make it out to be, but if you use a strong enough cheese, it may work better.

• Use foods like saltine crackers, peanut butter and small seeds or nuts. Anise seeds are particularly effective.

• You can also use bait foods that are sweet, like chocolate or candy. Mice like sugary foods, so don’t hesitate to lay down some Nutella spread.

• A cotton ball with a few drops of vanilla flavoring is attractive to mice too.

• You can even use wet cat or dog food to lure them in.

Where to set the mice free?

Whatever method you choose, removing the mouse from your home must involve dropping them off at least a mile away from your house. Mice, much like squirrels, will find their way back if released too close to home.

With a few mice gone, the food supply suddenly becomes larger for the remaining mice, and they generally take the opportunity to stuff themselves full and breed.

This results in a larger mouse population and only serves to aggravate the problem. Here are a few trap methods you can use to discreetly and humanely remove your mouse problem.

Which mouse trap should you buy?

Buy a trap endorsed by animal rights groups. Whether you’re a fan of PETA or not, they do have some pretty effective traps on their website.

You can also check on sites like Amazon to see if PETA or The Humane Society have put their seal of approval on the contraption you’ve picked out.

One of the cheapest and most effective humane traps is from Seabright and is called the Smart Mouse Trap, and you can buy it on Amazon for around $14.

Although it’s not meant to trap bigger rodents such as rats or squirrels, it is very useful for live-trapping mice that make their way into your home.

There’s no poisons or snap traps involved; all you have to do is put your choice of bait (they suggest a saltine cracker for this one) into the trap and the door will close when the mouse takes the bait.

You can reuse it as many times as you want to, so it not only keeps the mouse alive, but it saves you money in the long run.

Make your own trap

This method takes a little more ingenuity on your part, but it’s the cheapest option available. A common method is to use a large bucket with slippery walls that the mouse can’t climb up once they’re inside.

A precariously balanced cup tied to the sides with string works fairly well, or you can get an old aquarium (choose a fairly large one) and put the bait directly inside.

The mouse will climb up the makeshift ramp or ladder you put against it and jump down into the aquarium, but it won’t be able to get back out because of the slick glass walls.

You can also prop up buckets with coins or an empty toilet paper roll so that the mouse’s movements set the trap off. The bucket will come slamming down, trapping the mouse inside without harming them.

Bottom line

Putting any of these methods into practice will not only get rid of your mouse problem, but it will also ease your conscience knowing that you’ve removed the problem without causing harm to the animal.

Non-toxic, non-lethal methods do better in the long run to both protect your family, as well as the mice, from harmful chemicals and pesticides.

But in the end the key thing is to get rid of the mice one way or the other, if only because they are key hosts of ticks that may carry Lyme disease.

 

Photo credit: Roger Arquer.