Do ultrasonic pest repellers go through walls?

Author: Prof. Velma Gutkowski  |  Last update: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Ultrasonic devices cannot penetrate into or behind cupboards, drawers, wardrobes, furniture or walls where pests actually nest and breed. To effectively control insect and vermin activity by an ultrasonic device you would require one unit per room including one unit in the roof cavity to effectively control a home.

Does ultrasonic work through walls?

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.

What are the disadvantages of ultrasonic pest repellers?

Safety concerns have arisen, too; some users have reported that the sound can weaken the clarity of telephone conversations, interfere with burglar alarm systems, and cause muting in hearing aids. The noise may also cause inadvertent distress to rabbits and rodent pets, such as guinea pigs and hamsters.

Where is the best place to put an ultrasonic pest repeller?

In a room with mostly hard surfaces, like a kitchen, ultrasound will "bounce" around giving coverage that is more effective. The ideal placement would be one that allows the sound waves to cross in front of an entrance way.

Do wall plug-in pest repellers work?

However, these promises are largely empty, which can cause many to wonder, “Do ultrasonic pest repellers work?” The Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers about ultrasonic pest control devices for decades, as manufacturers do not have the scientific evidence to back up their claims of effectiveness.

Do ultrasonic devices keep pests away?

Is there any evidence that ultrasonic pest repellers work?

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.

What is the most effective rodent repellent?

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.

Do ultrasonic pest repellers interfere with WIFI?

Do ultrasonic pest repellers affect Wi-Fi or household devices? We also get asked about the impact of these devices on other household items. While electric pest repellers do not affect Wi-Fi, they have been documented to interfere with telephone quality and reception of both landlines and cell phones.

How do you know if your pest repeller is working?

How to Tell If Your Pest Repeller Is Working. 1. Reduced Pest Activity: One of the first signs is a noticeable decrease in pest activity, such as fewer sightings or droppings.

Do ultrasonic pest repellers attract roaches?

Cockroaches, by the way, detect these sounds through special hairs. But while ultrasonic devices annoy the heck out of crickets, they have little repellant effect on roaches (or ants, spiders, mosquitos, and mice).

What are 3 disadvantages of using ultrasonic sensors?

Some common disadvantages of conventional ultrasonic sensors include limited testing distance, inaccurate readings, and inflexible scanning methods. All of these drawbacks, however, can be mitigated and even overcome with the right NDT tools and techniques.

Can dogs hear ultrasonic pest repellers?

While cats and dogs can hear the ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic repeller do not generally harm or distress them. The sound being emitted would have to be rather loud to affect an animal as large as a cat or dog.

Do mice get used to ultrasonic pest repellers?

But rodents seem to learn to avoid the mechanisms used. Mice quickly become accustomed to regularly repeated sounds.

What is the difference between ultrasonic and electronic pest repellers?

Electromagnetic devices will give you a genuine Pest Free home from pests residing within those premises. Ultrasonic devices will only stop pests from being within a direct line of sight of the device in a home.

How far does ultrasound penetrate?

Higher-frequency ultrasound would allow greater detail, but it does not penetrate as well as lower frequencies do. The accepted rule of thumb is that you can effectively scan to a depth of about 500λ into tissue. For 7 MHz, this penetration limit is 500 × 0.22 mm, which is 0.11 m.

What does ultrasonic do to dogs?

The ultrasonic sound is a deterrent, capturing the dog's attention and interrupting the barking behaviour. When used correctly and following the manufacturer's instructions, ultrasonic bark control devices are considered safe and humane.

What are the side effects of ultrasonic pest repellers?

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), exposure to ultrasonic pest repellers over time can cause the following symptoms:
  • Sleep Disturbances.
  • Tinnitus.
  • Headaches and Migraines.
  • Dizziness and Fainting.

Where to place an ultrasonic pest repeller?

Ultrasonic repellents should be plugged into the lowest outlet and should not be blocked by any furniture. The noise will bounce off of the furniture and not go through it. Place your repellent with that in mind and don't leave an opening for pests to enter through.

Do bugs come out after pest control?

It's entirely normal to see an increase in pest activity immediately after the treatment, but this should gradually decrease as the treatment takes full effect. In the meantime, resist the urge to use DIY pest control solutions.

Does peppermint oil repel mice?

While peppermint oils repel mice, their effectiveness as a standalone solution for mouse infestations is limited. Many user experiences indicate that these pesky critters may grow accustomed to the smell over time, reducing its rodent-repellent impact.

Can my neighbor interfere with my Wi-Fi?

If your neighbors have a Wi-Fi router on the same channel within range of your router or Wi-Fi gateway, it can cause interference. If there are nearby routers using the same Wi-Fi channel, you can avoid interference by changing your Wi-Fi channel.

What bugs do ultrasonic pest repellers work on?

These devices target household pests that have the capability to hear ultrasonic sound waves, such as:
  • Cockroaches.
  • Crickets.
  • Mosquitoes.
  • Bed bugs.
  • Flies.
  • Fleas and ticks.
  • Silverfish.
  • Birds.

What do rodents hate most?

Some of the smells that mice hate include:
  • Peppermint oil. Peppermint oil is a natural repellent that can be used to keep mice away. ...
  • Cinnamon. Cinnamon is another natural repellent that mice hate. ...
  • Vinegar. The pungent smell of vinegar is also effective at repelling mice. ...
  • Citronella. ...
  • Ammonia. ...
  • Bleach. ...
  • Mothballs.

Do plug-in rodent repellers work?

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.

Does Irish Spring soap keep mice away?

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.

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