Ultrasound from mice - advantages and disadvantages

Ultrasound is perhaps the most humane way to control rodents. There is no need to poison pests or set traps for them: just scare them with high-frequency sounds. Reviews about the use of ultrasound in mice are the most controversial. Some believe that such devices are effective, others say the opposite. To understand this issue once and for all, it is worth knowing the principle of operation of ultrasonic rodent repellers, their advantages, disadvantages and technical capabilities.

Operating principle

The operating principle of ultrasonic repellers is quite simple. The device emits short waves with a frequency above 20 kHz. The human ear perceives sounds up to 20 kHz, so people can sometimes hear ultrasound, the vibrations of which are close to the susceptibility limit. Rodents, moles and cockroaches, on the contrary, perfectly hear sounds in this range, and they cause panic. As a result, rodents leave the territory in which they have settled.

Ultrasonic radiation cannot overcome obstacles; soft materials absorb it. Therefore, the emitter operates over a limited area, and if you need to clear a large space of rodents, you will have to purchase several devices.

Over time, the device's effectiveness may decline as rodents become accustomed to certain sounds. This problem can be solved in those repellers that provide for independent change of the ultrasound vibration height.

Ultrasonic flea repeller for dogs

Flea repellers for dogs
A flea repeller for dogs looks like a pendant that attaches to a collar. After activating the battery, the device begins to work and emit waves of 40,000 Hz. Manufacturers claim that the product has a number of advantages:

the device is non-toxic and safe to use;
allowed for use by pregnant and lactating females;
no additional maintenance required;
one battery is enough to operate the repeller for 1 year;
convenient and easy to use, does not require additional settings;
not afraid of splashing water;
works silently.

However, there is one nuance that causes confusion. The result will be noticeable after wearing the ultrasonic medallion for two weeks. If the range of ultrasonic waves has a repellent effect on fleas, then why does the effect not occur immediately? If we were talking about insects that are in a terrarium, and they were regularly exposed to ultrasound, then we could assume that the nervous system of the fleas was exhausted within 2 weeks. But considering that the dog walks on the street and every day completely different individuals come across its path, it is at least unreasonable to talk about any cumulative effect.

The result of wearing an ultrasonic collar can be achieved for only one reason. To protect your pet from blood-sucking insects, the owner treats the animal with drops or spray. It is this product that protects the dog from fleas and ticks.

Whether to purchase an insect repeller or not, everyone decides for themselves. But it’s still worth remembering that it’s better to destroy parasites rather than scare them.

Advantages

The use of ultrasound from mice has its advantages. First of all, sound waves do not kill rodents, they only repel them. In this case, it is not individual individuals who leave, but entire families. Other representatives of the species also do not lay claim to the territory where such an irritating factor is constant.

For pets and people, ultrasound is practically imperceptible. The radiation range affects only rodents and is not perceived by the ear of a person, cat or dog. But if there are domestic mice, rats or hamsters in the house, it is better to move them to another room while the device is in use.

The principle of operation of the repeller and its varieties

An ultrasonic fly repeller is a small electronic device that generates high-frequency waves. These are the ones that insects regard as a signal of possible danger. A similar sound that scares away flies is made by bats, which are the natural enemies of annoying pests. Flies perceive the frequency waves emanating from the device as a signal that an enemy is approaching and strive to leave the given territory as quickly as possible.

To repel flies the following are used:

stationary repellers are large, high-power devices designed for use in large areas (in grocery stores, warehouses, large stores, markets);
portable repellers are small in size and used to protect one user during a walk, outdoor recreation or hike; they can operate both from the mains and from batteries.

On a note!
Its cost varies depending on the type and power of the device.

Flaws

Mice and other rodents have a developed nervous system and are able to adapt to negative environmental conditions that do not pose a direct threat to their lives. The ultrasound only scares them, but does not harm them, so they can eventually tune in to the waves and learn to ignore them. A sound of this range acts temporarily: rodents leave the location of the device in a few minutes or a few days, but if during this time no measures are taken against their return, they will again populate their former habitats and return to pest activity.

The good news is that research has shown that if you use ultrasound of variable strength and frequency, then mice will not quickly adapt to such conditions, and may not survive them at all. Devices with variable ultrasonic frequencies drive out mice for good, but they also have a depressing effect on humans: you yourself will have to leave the house for the duration of the device’s operation.

What advantages does the device have?

Electronic fly repellers have become in demand among the population, as they have many advantages:

Safety is the main advantage of the device. Devices in this category do not harm human health, because ultrasound does not kill flies, but only repels them.
The effective operation of the device can be observed after just a few minutes of operation.
Thanks to the creation of new design solutions, devices of this type are able to protect not only from flies, but also mosquitoes, as well as other flying pests. Ease of use is also created by the availability of a choice of the most suitable device in terms of size and power, as well as the method of its power supply.
During operation, the device does not make noise, which does not create problems during rest and sleep.
Easy to use.

Below is an overview of the most popular models of annoying insect repellers.

Ultrasonic fly repellers

Installation

Ultrasound propagates in the same way as light: it has a directional range of action, and if there are obstacles along the way, shadow zones form behind them. Soft objects absorb ultrasonic waves, hard objects reflect and amplify them.

When installing ultrasound against mice, choose a room in which rodents are most active. Install the device on a wall, in a passage or on the ceiling in the direction of the area to be protected. Its power should be sufficient to cover the area of the room, but not excessive: such a device puts excess pressure on the eardrums and causes discomfort.

If the house has several floors, then ultrasound from mice must be installed on each level. If there are many rooms in the building, then it is better to purchase several low-power devices and install them in each room and in the passage. The doors must be kept open during operation. There should be no isolated shady areas where rodents could hide. If the furniture in the room is located around the perimeter, you can leave it. Furniture that blocks the center of the room must be removed or two devices installed on both sides.

It is best to install the emitter on a wall, in a passage or under the ceiling. Turn on the device and leave it to work until the rodents are completely gone. After the mice leave, you can turn it off. And then take preventive measures:

eliminate water leaks so that pests do not have anything to drink;
remove junk and garbage from the house, throw out spoiled food to deprive rodents of food;
seal all holes in the walls.

Your home will become less suitable for animals to live in. And if they come back, you can turn on the ultrasonic emitters again.

AO-150

The ultrasonic repeller AO-150 will help drive flies and mosquitoes out of your apartment. The operating area of the device, which is harmless to humans, is 40 square meters. m. Simply plug it into the network, and after 15-30 minutes the buzzing of annoying insects will stop.

When the device is turned on, two indicators light up: a red light indicates the connection of the power supply, a green light signals the start of operation of the device.

On a note!
The repeller should be located no closer than 1 meter from the place where a person sleeps and rests.

The device has small dimensions (15x15 cm) and weight (160 g), is powered from the mains (220 V), has a power of 8 W and a wave frequency of 22-55 kHz. The cost of the AO-150 repeller is about 500 rubles.

Checking the device

If we cannot hear sounds with frequencies above 20 kHz, then how can we tell if ultrasound is working from mice? First of all, never put the device to your ear. It exerts powerful pressure and can cause damage to the eardrums. The fact that the device is working is signaled by special indicators: if the light is on, it means ultrasound is going on.

If you want to check the serviceability of the device, bring the emitter to the surface of the water. The operating device exerts sound pressure, and tubercles will appear on the surface of the water.

Positive and negative!

There are a huge number of methods to combat cockroaches in an apartment. What is good and bad about this repeller? First, let's clarify about several types of such devices. The most effective are ultrasonic and electronic repellers.

they are non-toxic;
available compared to the disinfestation procedure;
easy to use;
effective in the fight against insects and rodents;
suitable for use in small and large areas;
no need to leave your living space.

Ultrasonic and electromagnetic waves do not pass through walls, significantly reducing the radius of sound propagation.
The device repels cockroaches, but does not kill them. That is, in the future the insects will return and then you will have to buy the device again. It turns out to be a vicious circle. As a result, the price of constant updating of the device can be equal to time-tested pest control.

There are advantages and disadvantages to using repellers. You can choose this device or use another method of struggle, depending on your preferences and goals.

Popular brands

There are many manufacturers of ultrasonic repellers on the domestic market. Some of the well-known ones include:

“Typhoon”: the devices are equipped with a microprocessor that changes the duration and frequency of sound waves, and creates an unbearable environment for rodents.
“Grad” are devices with a wide spectrum of action; the model line includes professional devices designed for an area of up to 100 square meters. m. Ultrasound emitters from mice operate at low temperatures and can be used in manufacturing plants, warehouses, basements, and refrigerators.
"Electrokot" - compact devices for city apartments. Cover up to 200 sq. m, emit not only ultrasound, but also light, and also emit an unpleasant signal, operate in “day” and “night” modes. There should be no people in the house while the device is operating.

In addition, you can pay attention to Chiston, Bird-X Transonic Pro, SD and other brands. The main thing is that the technical characteristics correspond to the parameters of the room.

Myths and misconceptions about the effectiveness of ultrasonic repellers

Quickly and forever getting rid of hated neighbors such as rodents, cockroaches, mosquitoes is task No. 1 for every owner. But in the pursuit of effective devices, which reliable facts about their “abilities” should be trusted, and which are simply assumptions and even false information?

We have previously written about our experiment - is ultrasound effective against rodents? Now we will try to understand the issues of choosing a device, its characteristics and dispel all the myths about modern ultrasonic repellers.

The more powerful the ultrasound, the better the result?

This is the main mistake of many consumers. It is worth understanding that sound and ultrasound are characterized by completely different wave vibration parameters. According to physiological indications, humans and animals perceive (hear) sounds of different frequencies differently.

That is, we can only capture a certain frequency spectrum that is transmitted through the air - its range is from 16 to 20 kHz. But we no longer detect sounds much lower than this indicator and the brain does not perceive them - they are called infrasound.

Noise waves whose frequency reaches 1 GHz are already ultrasound, which we are also unable to hear. But some mammals, such as rats, mice, moles, voles, not only perceive such frequencies, but also cannot tolerate them. Ultrasound becomes a strong acoustic attack for them. There is a strong effect on the nervous system.

In fact, ultrasound (wave frequency reaches 20,000 Hz) should not be audible to humans. But if you bought a device and hear noises (any kind) and think that this is only an indicator of its effectiveness, you are mistaken . Perhaps this is not ultrasound at all and it will not drive away pests. Well, in the worst case scenario, such an auditory attack can cause a person a feeling of discomfort and even serious illness.

Conclusion : the ultrasonic repeller makes any loud sounds - we refuse to purchase it. A high-quality device should operate in the range from 18 to 70 kHz (read the instructions), then you definitely won’t hear any extraneous sounds.

Is the power of ultrasonic radiation the most important indicator that will help cope with pests?

Unfortunately, here too many manufacturers are a little disingenuous, declaring that their parting efficiency is higher because they have made them more powerful than their competitor’s. The thing is that the power indicator is very important when calculating the area over which ultrasound will be generated. For example, a device that covers an area of up to 800 square meters (Tornado 800 repeller) will differ from the same Tornado 400 (designed for 400 square meters). But this difference can only lie in the number of speakers that emit waves - 2 emitters located opposite each other are built into the Tornado 800 body.

But how can you measure efficiency if devices with different power levels are installed in the same room? The answer is that this is impossible and the data will be incorrect. In fact, ultrasonic waves do not change the operating range (from 16 to 70 kHz), but only the power of the device itself increases. At the same time, do not forget that the device should be more powerful in a large room so that the waves can cover the entire area.

Conclusion : a more powerful ultrasonic repeller is necessary for large rooms, but it is in no way more effective against rodents than the same device with low power.

Below is an example of a comparison of ultrasonic repellers, shown on the pages of one online store. Such research has nothing to do with reality and its main task is to sell the most expensive device

The more powerful the purchased device, the closer the long-awaited deliverance from rodents?

Another myth that often disappoints demanding consumers. A person believes that if a repeller is purchased, designed for example for 800 sq. m (Tornado 800 has proven itself excellent) and installed in a small area (utility room or house of 200 sq.m) - all rodents will leave this area in panic on the same day.

In fact, almost all ultrasonic repellers operate in the same ranges, and they only require power to cover a larger area . That is, the rodent, of course, will feel severe discomfort, but it will take time until these conditions become unbearable for it. To do this, the device must work continuously for at least 2-3 weeks. It's all about survival instinct, even when exposed to ultrasound, rats and mice will strive for food in order to be able to continue to reproduce.

As a result, you could buy a device designed for a smaller area (for example, Tornado 300), the effect would be similar, but you would save money.

They can be permanently migratory, meaning they will leave your house/shed and only return occasionally. 4-6 weeks - only during this period will the rodents finally leave their former refuge. In this case, special attention should be paid to the correct installation of the device: there should be no obstacles in its path, it should not be turned towards the wall with its speakers, or installed on soft surfaces (ultrasonic waves are absorbed). Only if these conditions are met, you will not have to buy a powerful device designed for a large area - a regular repeller that fully corresponds to the footage of your home will be enough.

Reputable research – science is worth trusting!

We are accustomed to the fact that if a person on the screen positions himself as a doctor of science, we need to listen to his opinion. In reality, things may be a little different. The fact is that in order to promote your product, there is scientific evidence of the effectiveness of the product. It is especially difficult to trust, let alone verify, the results of research from foreign scientific centers.

Domestic scientists, of course, can falsify the data obtained, but it is much easier to verify their relevance.

You should not trust the opinion of such “experts” who conducted a study for 10 minutes and announced their verdict, as in the video below

So, you have chosen a product, the manufacturer stated that scientific research has confirmed its super effectiveness. The easiest way is to request test results from the institute indicated on the label. (here is an example of one of the real tests) We clarify under what conditions the experiments were carried out, what analyzes confirm that the device works on animals, and ultrasound is emitted at acceptable frequencies. You are not prevented from obtaining such information - you can trust scientists and safely buy a modern device!

Should an ultrasonic repeller be inexpensive?

Many people believe that such devices are very simple in their design - a speaker that emits ultrasound and a durable body. Of course, this kind of miracle technology can be purchased wholesale in China, at a cost of several hundred rubles. But do you really think that they are capable of providing at least some result? In fact, developing an ultrasonic repeller is a very expensive and painstaking task. Not only biologists are working on its creation, studying the behavior of rodents, but also engineers and designers.

So if you don’t want to save on your comfortable living without rodents, you shouldn’t buy cheap devices of unknown origin. Manufacturers of such equipment do not even bother to write technical characteristics: frequency of emitted waves, power, etc. But without them it is impossible to understand whether this is an imitation of an expensive device or a real ultrasonic repeller. In addition, the consumer mistakenly believes that if a device makes a loud sound, it will definitely scare away any living creatures from your home. And we have already found out that there should be no acoustic attack on a person under any circumstances.

An example of a fake is a Chinese device for 2000 rubles, which only flashes two LEDs

If you are looking for a truly worthy product, the characteristics of which are constantly being improved, and the price corresponds to the declared effectiveness, pay attention to Tornado repellers. This manufacturer has been investing huge amounts of money in improving product quality for several decades, constantly introducing new technologies, taking into account the needs of different customers (appliances for homes and commercial premises). As you can see, the work on creating such complex devices still requires money, so the device cannot cost 100 rubles!

A universal device - one repeller against any animal?

Unfortunately, in pursuit of profit, many manufacturers will assure you that they have invented a miracle device that can repel mosquitoes, rats and even moles. It would be great if a device of this type existed, but it is physiologically impossible. For example, an acoustic attack of a certain frequency panics rats, but has no effect on cockroaches, much less bedbugs.

But ultrasound from mosquitoes imitates the sound of a female panicking. Is it capable of acting and scaring a mole or a field mouse? The answer is obvious - no. Therefore, you should not save money and assume that you will find a universal device on our market at an affordable price.

Download the program to your smartphone and your own repeller is ready to work?

How do you feel about the prospect of buying an expensive application on the Internet, downloading it and starting to use ultrasound on any approaching animal? For example, you can easily protect yourself from stray dogs, get rid of annoying mosquitoes and midges while relaxing in nature and, of course, forget about nasty cockroaches in the house. But here too, smart software manufacturers are trying to deceive us.

First of all, you should understand that the speakers of a smartphone and other cutting-edge gadgets will not be able to cope with the generation of ultrasound! Their functionality is very limited and to say that they are able to emit a wave that affects a rodent, insect or other animal is simply presumptuous, this is not true.

You can check this statement yourself by downloading the program and trying to drive away at least mosquitoes. But it is better not to experiment with an aggressive dog, otherwise you will greatly risk your health.

Informed means armed!

We tried to debunk the most popular myths about ultrasonic repellers. After all, they are all created in order to simply make an excellent profit, but the interests of the consumer are of little interest, especially to manufacturers from China, Taiwan, etc. Is it possible to count on its effectiveness when the cost of a product is 1-2 dollars? The best option is to trust domestic manufacturers who invest heavily in scientific research and offer only high-quality products.

This is exactly what the Tornado series devices belong to, which have been sold on our market for several decades and have earned the trust of the buyer.

Published: 08/16/2016

What insects and animals can be used against?

The ability of ultrasound to influence certain types of living organisms was proven more than thirty years ago. The effectiveness of directed high-frequency vibrations against bacteria has already been studied, which has made it possible to use ultrasonic types of emitters in medical practice.

The tests and trials of ultrasonic devices for repelling insects do not allow us to confidently confirm their high efficiency. As practice shows, such devices have little effect on insects. In any case, if you want to use ultrasonic devices to expel pests from your living space, you should give preference to certified products from trusted manufacturers.

Which mouse repeller is best to buy?

When deciding which mouse repeller is best to purchase, you should evaluate several factors:

where you need to get rid of rodents - indoors or outdoors;
what area should the device cover?
what time of year the device will be used (it must be taken into account that battery-powered repellers will not work in the cold).

The most effective are devices that propagate waves 360⁰, with a constantly changing wave frequency. To choose the most suitable mouse repeller, you need to carefully study the technical characteristics and descriptions of the devices, as well as reviews about them.

Most experts recommend combined devices for rodent control, arguing that the results of their work will be fast and of high quality.

The progress of the experiment to identify the best repeller

Sellers of ultrasonic repellers also conducted their own experiments and wanted to find out which device from their range was the most effective.

The “test site for the experiment” was chosen with special care. It was not a laboratory, but a barn of one of the employees of the selling company in the Moscow region. The conditions were closest to the real life of rodents. The barn owners themselves showed great interest in the experiment.

There is bait (grain) in the corner, flour around it, to count from the prints how many rats were interested in the bait (photo from the site grizunam.net)

Wheat was piled in the corner of the barn. The approaches to it were covered with flour in order to determine the activity of mice by the tracks on it. For testing, we took all 11 types of devices that were currently popular among buyers. Plugged in, it began to emit ultrasound from the rats. The device was turned on for two days. Then they took a three-day break to give the animals a chance to calm down and began testing the next one. The results were entered into a summary table. The experiment lasted one and a half months.

Electronic mouse repellers

An electromagnetic mouse repeller is suitable for a room or building with extensive wiring. After the device is connected to the network, it emits electromagnetic pulses that negatively affect the nervous system of rodents. Immediately after connecting the device, visible mouse activity may increase. This happens because the signal reaches secluded places where rodents make shelters.

Chiston III

The main disadvantage of electromagnetic repellers is that for them to work effectively, the wiring must run along the entire perimeter of the room.

Another type of electronic repeller is vibration devices powered by solar or conventional batteries. They drive away moles and other earth-moving pests, including mice, from the site.

Chiston 3

A vibration device in the form of a long plastic case with a pointed end. Powered by 4 batteries, which are placed inside the case. After placing the batteries and closing the lid, a mechanism begins to work, causing the device to vibrate. In addition, the repeller emits a sharp sound at a certain frequency. The range of the Chiston 3 device is about 12 m.

Riddex Plus

All electronic repellers in the Riddex Plus line generate two types of waves: ultrasonic (from 20 to 42 kHz) and electromagnetic. The electric repeller is effective in a room up to 200 m2 and operates on a 220 V network.