Devices that use sound that humans can hear typically have no effect on the rodents. Sonic devices are also used to deter birds, but there is only temporary relief, if any. In fact, in areas with large populations of birds, birds have been observed roosting on top of sonic units.
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.
While the idea of using high-frequency sound to deter pests is intriguing, studies have consistently shown that these devices have limited to no impact on most pests, including rodents and insects.
The smells of some plants, such as eucalyptus, wormwood and mint, are unattractive to rodents. Sound-based repellents are capable of emitting sound at a register too high for humans to recognize.
According to the producer, the most effective frequency range lies between 10 and 12 kHz for birds, between 20 and 30 kHz for rodents, and between 30 and 40 kHz for insects.
What Do Pest Control Companies Use for Mice? Mice can be controlled with a combination of traps and rodenticides. Snap traps, electronic traps, and anticoagulant baits are common.
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.
Irish Spring soap is not likely to keep mice away from your house– and the strong fragrances could even be attractive to them. Rats & mice might initially be deterred by the overwhelming odor, but after a while they'll get used to it, and may even take a nibble to test it as food.
A little more about ultrasounds
They are directional, so they do not pass through walls. They bounce off hard surfaces and fill the room with sound pressure. A single device can protect up to 46 m2. As they do not pass through walls, you may need to use more than one device.
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.
To discourage mice, remove all food sources by storing grains, pet food, and other dry goods in metal containers. Make sure mice won't find nesting material by storing all soft, fluffy material like fabric, rugs and blankets in heavy plastic or metal boxes.
Will sleeping with lights on keep mice away? No, sleeping with lights on is ineffective for keeping mice away. Mice are nocturnal creatures and are less likely to be deterred by light.
High-pitched noises may affect rodents, but research has shown the effects are often overcome within a day or so because the rodents adapt to the sounds, regardless of whether the frequency is variable, intermittent, or random.
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.
Staff at PaulB Hardware in Lititz, which serves a large agricultural customer base, recommends a product called Fresh Cab. It can repel rodents for up to 3 months, by using a smell that would be extremely offensive to pests, but smells like air freshener to humans.
Devices that use sound that humans can hear typically have no effect on the rodents. Sonic devices are also used to deter birds, but there is only temporary relief, if any. In fact, in areas with large populations of birds, birds have been observed roosting on top of sonic units.
Although a common belief, soap does not keep mice away. Not even Irish Springs soap keeps mice away. This myth comes from the idea that mice eat animal fat (a core ingredient in many soaps), so by eating soap the mice will die from chemical exposure. However, this simply isn't true.
Some common disadvantages of conventional ultrasonic sensors include limited testing distance, inaccurate readings, and inflexible scanning methods.
Thus when some studies show that pest infestations do decrease, they have no way of proving that it was a result of the ultrasonic sound. For these reasons, researchers strongly advise against buying into these devices. There is simply not enough evidence.
Why can't I hear the Ultrasonic Rodent Repellers™? Ultrasonic sound is a frequency too high to be heard by the human ear (your eardrum cannot vibrate fast enough).