Do Ultrasonic Pest Repellers Really Work?

Many homeowners turn towards DIY pest-repellent solutions to save money—and ultrasonic pest repellers and plugin units are one avenue homeowners like to try. These ultrasonic devices promise to provide effortless pest removal and management with the push of a button. But do they work? Use this guide to discover everything you need to know about ultrasonic pest control and if it’s the right choice for managing pest problems in your home.

What are ultrasonic pest repellers? 

An ultrasonic pest repeller is an electronic unit that emits a high-pitched sound. The sound occurs at a frequency that is usually imperceptible to human ears, but is said to cause discomfort, death, avoidance, or incapacitation to household pests. Many varieties claim to keep away fruit flies, ants, cockroaches, mice, and more. Most electric pest repeller units promote themselves as easy to use and safer than more traditional pest repellents and control options.

Most units get plugged into an outlet, but some versions on the market are battery- or solar-operated for use in fields, gardens, sheds, covered patios, and other outdoor areas not wired for power.

What types of ultrasonic pest repellers are there? 

The two main types of ultrasonic pest repellers are interior and exterior units. Some indoor devices, such as ultrasonic rodent repellers or mosquito repellent devices, are pest-specific. Most devices recommend having at least one ultrasonic unit per room for maximum coverage and effectiveness.

Outdoor ultrasonic pest repellents are often solar-powered units that stake into the ground. They also emit similar sound waves and vibrations in your garden, landscaping, and other outdoor areas. Most outdoor units function with a wide range of distances.

Do ultrasonic pest repellers really work? 

While the manufacturers of these ultrasonic pest control machines claim they affect many pests, there’s very little clinical research supporting these claims. Even when these devices do work, their effects tend to be short-lived. A study of ultrasonic mouse- and rat-repellent devices for the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Wildlife Research Center found that rodents stopped responding after a few days of exposure. Ultimately, ultrasonic rodent repellent devices and other ultrasonic pest units don’t have substantial research to back the claims that they can effortlessly prevent pest problems in or around the home.

When should I call a professional pest control service? 

The best advice for dealing with a pest problem in your home is to call a pest control service before pests are a problem so that you can safeguard your home or business before they come in. Second best to prevention is to call at the first signs of an infestation. While there are many options on today’s market for attempting to handle pest problems yourself, the longer you wait to call and get treatment, the worst the pests are likely to get. Many common household pests can hide and survive in areas of the home that are difficult to spot and reach. While a pest problem may look handled on the surface, underlying issues can end up causing a bigger issue when left unchecked.

Pest control services 

If you’re dealing with a pest problem, restore peace and order to your home by calling Hawx Pest Control. Some homeowners seem to feel that these ultrasonic pest control devices work, but at Hawx Pest Control, we have seen much better results with the combination of professional pest control techniques and technology. Hawx does not use ultrasonic pest repellers in our services. Ultrasonic pest repellers won’t hurt anything in your household except your wallet, but if you’re unsatisfied with the results, call us for a free estimate.