Does Ultrasonic Pest Repellent Work?

We all know that the best rodent problem is the one that never happened, right? Sure we can buy mouse traps and try to alleviate the symptoms, but that won’t help prevent them in the first place. For this reason, ultrasonic rodent repellents are highly appealing to homeowners for their proclaimed ability to repel rodents and keep them from overstaying their welcome. They’re also easy to obtain – you can find ultrasonic pest repellers at a variety of home improvement stores and supermarkets – and are widely advertised as humane and free of chemical pesticides and traps.

While these all sound like major pluses, how effective are ultrasonic rodent-repellent devices? And how do they work? Here’s the breakdown.

How ultrasonic rodent repellents work:

Ultrasonic pest repellers are small devices that emit high-frequency ultrasonic sound waves that are claimed to be intolerable to rodents. Humans and pets, however, cannot hear them – the frequency is too high for human ears to detect.

Mouse-repellent sound

It is advised to use these devices in key areas where you have seen a mouse or other rodent, or where you have seen signs of one (droppings, track marks, etc.). To the mouse, the frequencies will sound like a loud jackhammer. This isn’t just insufferable to rodents, but the product claims to repel insects as well.

Do ultrasonic rodent repellents really work?

The short answer is no, ultrasonic rodent repellents don’t work. Some homeowners have noted an immediate effect at first, but over time the rodent problem will continue to persist. Mice are fairly resilient and adaptable, so while the sound may bother them at first, eventually they will grow accustomed to it or find an alternative route. The frequency of most devices also don’t doesn’t travel very far from the device, usually about 10-20 feet.

The real reason you may have a rodent problem has to do with structural issues, which this product alone will not help treat. Rodents are often invited indoors through gaps in the exterior of your home such as vents, damaged roofing, drain pipes, cracks in the foundation and even slipping underneath doors.

Rodent prevention tips

So what is the most effective way of repelling rodents? Even though ultrasonic pest control devices ultimately don’t prevent rodents, a combination of prevention and professional pest control is key to eliminating rodents in your home. Here are a few reliable prevention methods:

Prevention

• Use door sweeps to limit rodents’ ability to slide underneath.
• Keep potential hiding places (firewood, outdoor furniture, etc.) far from your home’s entrances.
• Cover vents with mesh to block entrances.
• Look for holes in the exterior of your home, especially where cables or pipes enter your home. Some of these spots are large enough for mice to sneak through. A good, quick fix is steel wool or caulking these areas.

Contact Wil-kil For Professional Pest Control

If your rodent problem continues to persist, call in an expert. Terminix Wil-Kil has been providing residential and commercial pest control services since 1924, so we’ve seen it all. We can help identify places you may have overlooked, and reinforce prevention and treatment methods with exclusion. Give us a call or contact us online for an inspection and plan of action.