In summary, ultrasonic pest repellers emit high-frequency sounds that manufacturers claim reduce household pest infestation, but laboratory tests have shown that the majority of such devices do not work as advertised, in violation of FTC guidelines.
The answer is NO they do not 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.
Unlike many other repellers on the market the PestBye Whole House Rat and Mice repeller combines both ultrasonic and electro-magnetic technology. Ultrasound is a loud noise at a high frequency: it's too high for humans and domestic pets to hear, but is thought to be audible to most rodents.
Vinegar and Ammonia
Rats, too, dislike the acidic odor in vinegar, and ammonia smells similar to predator urine, which can scare them away. Ammonia or vinegar-soaked cotton balls can be placed at entryway points, or you can dilute either with water and spray the area.
Ultrasonic rodent repellents may work temporarily to deter rodents, but they are not highly effective in the long term. Rodents can get used to the sound, and the devices may not work well in large or cluttered areas.
Outdoors, restrict their shelter by rat-proofing all buildings in the area and removing outside shelters like appliances, junk piles, old fences and walls. Keep the property, including alleys and yards, clean and trash-free. Pile wood and other stored items at least 18 inches above the ground and away from the walls.
Outdoors, rats face a variety of predators. In these environments, large birds of prey — including hawks, falcons and owls — feed regularly on rodents. Owls are particularly formidable predators, as their nocturnal behavior ensures that they are most active when rats go out in search of food.
The best way to get rid of rats or mice is by using traps. If using spring loaded traps for rats, bait three of them in a row without setting them. Bait with dried fruit, peanut butter mixed with oats, or cheese.
Clap your hands: clapping is sudden, loud and sharp. Should you encounter a rat and feel threatened, clap harshly in their direction and they'll be certain to scuttle away in fear!
The trap provides rats with an effective electric shock and reliably kills them in seconds. One battery charge can kill up to 50 rats.
Peppermint oil — Essential plant oils like peppermint, rosemary, citronella, sage and lavender have strong botanical scents that rats dislike. One customer successfully repelled a rat by stuffing a peppermint oil soaked tissue into the rat hole chewed into the wall. The rat appeared to never come back.
Quick Guide to DIY Rodent Control Options
Mechanical traps, while not necessarily child- or pet-proof, have an excellent reputation for effectively controlling mice and rats. Glue traps also work well by holding the rodent in place when it scurries across its surface.
Do Dryer Sheets Keep Mice Out? While some people believe the strong scent may deter mice, dryer sheets are not considered a reliable or long-term solution. Other proven methods like sealing entry points and professional rodent control services are recommended for better results.
While you can never guarantee that rats will stay away permanently, effective rodent control requires a combination of methods such as sealing entry points, maintaining a clean yard, removing food and water sources, and using professional pest control services to eliminate infestations as soon as they appear.
Rats are nocturnal animals that prefer to move around under the cover of night; however, sleeping with lights on will not keep rats away. While it makes logical sense that rats would not like being in the light, it is not enough to discourage them from moving around your home at night.
So, what is the fastest way to get rid of rats? Pest control is the most efficient method to get rid of rats quickly but the usage of mouse traps, snap traps, chemical baits, and live traps are all effective methods to get rid of rats as quickly and effectively as possible.
Inside, rats can be found hiding out in holes, cracks, and crevices; climbing up through drains in bathrooms and kitchens; behind cabinets; behind and under appliances; in air ducts and ventilation systems; in piles of clutter; in storage containers; in hollow walls; and in crawlspaces, attics, garages, and basements.
Despite what movies and media may assert, having a cat or other pet isn't your only line of defense for keeping rats at bay. The biggest and most frightening threat rats face is not being able to access enough food and water to sustain themselves.
Killing them will only cause other rats to move into the newly available spaces. After rat-proofing your building, give the remaining animals a chance at life by live-trapping and releasing them outdoors. To rat-proof a building, put all food and garbage in sturdy, well-sealed containers that rats can't gnaw through.
Some are sold specifically to repel rodents. However, there is little data that these devices repel insects or are effective in rodent control. Rats and mice emit high-pitched sounds and may communicate using these sounds. Devices that use sound that humans can hear typically have no effect on the rodents.
However, there's no way to prove these pests weren't eliminated through other environmental factors like a natural predator or a neighbor setting traps. Studies have shown time and time again that there is no strong evidence to suggest that ultrasonic pest repellers are effective.