Do ultrasonic squirrel repellents work?

Author: Sabryna Kris DVM  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Ultrasonic Repellent Devices These types of repellents have been growing in popularity as, unlike chemicals, they are seen as harmless to both the squirrels and house residents. However, there is no scientific evidence that these devices work, and the Federal Trade Commission has been warning consumers against them.

Will ultrasonic pest repellers work on squirrels?

The ultrasonic speaker transmit variable frequency ultrasound and the transducer emit high impact pressure waves to repel all rondents such as squirrels, rats,mouse and chipmunks.

What is the most effective squirrel deterrent?

Use Strong Odors

Scents like white pepper, black pepper, and garlic are naturally unpleasant to a squirrel. The same goes for sweet smells such as peppermint. Try spraying your plants and flowers with water and then sprinkling on pepper or peppermint oil to deter squirrels.

What is the best device to get rid of squirrels?

For outdoor squirrel control, the Yard Gard and Solar Yard Gard are electronic ultrasonic repellents that use sounds out of the range of human hearing to irritate pest animals, repelling them from your property.

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.

Do Electronic Pest Repellers Work?

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.

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.

What is the fastest way to get rid of squirrels?

How To Get Rid Of Squirrels In The Yard
  1. Place ultrasonic devices in your yard. These emit high-frequency sounds that are unpleasant to squirrels but inaudible to humans.
  2. Install motion-activated sprinklers to startle and deter squirrels when they enter your yard.
  3. Live traps can be used to catch and relocate squirrels.

What frequency do squirrels hate?

Research suggests frequencies between 25 kHz and 35 kHz are particularly effective in repelling squirrels due to their sensitive hearing.

How do farmers keep squirrels away?

The only true way to keep squirrels out of the garden is physical barriers. We use bird netting over hoops, which keeps squirrels out but still allows bees to pollinate.

What smell do squirrels hate the most?

Squirrels have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find food sources and shelter. You can repel squirrels using scents they hate such as, capsaicin, white vinegar, peppermint oil, coffee grounds, cinnamon, predator urine, garlic, dryer sheets, Irish Spring bar soap, and rosemary.

What is the best pest control for squirrels?

Poison bait is usually the most cost-effective method for controlling ground squirrels, especially when numbers are high. Bait consists of grain or pellets treated with a poison registered for ground squirrel control.

Do squirrels hate Irish Spring soap?

Its strong, pungent aroma is unpleasant to many animals, including squirrels, making it a popular choice for natural pest control.

Do squirrels hate ultrasound?

Ultrasonic repellents are devices that emit high-frequency sound waves, inaudible to humans, but highly disruptive to pests like squirrels. These sound waves create an environment that is uncomfortable for squirrels, encouraging them to vacate the area.

What is the best squirrel repellent for outdoors?

You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar; make sure to dilute it with water before spraying it around areas where squirrels are known to visit. Keeping squirrels away from your home and yard can be challenging, but it is possible with the proper knowledge and techniques.

How does Terminix get rid of squirrels?

At Terminix we have a multi-tiered approach: Locate squirrel entry and exit points, place traps in a manner where the squirrels will be caught without causing more damage to your home. After the removal of squirrels, permanently seal off all entry points to prevent against future re-entry.

Do ultrasonic squirrel deterrents work?

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.

Does anything repel squirrels?

Use repellents: Repellents, such as cayenne pepper, ground chili peppers, or pepper flakes, can be sprayed on the soil or placed around the bulbs to deter these pests from digging in the area.

Do wind chimes scare squirrels?

Scare Them Away

Noise makers like wind chimes, or disposable pie plates and whirligigs, can be used to scare off unwanted visitors. Motion detectors that set alarms or lights work well with night foragers.

What is the number one killer of squirrels?

While most of these predators eat adult and young squirrels, raccoons and gray rat snakes prefer to prey on nestlings. However, the truth is that humans represent the greatest threat to gray squirrels. Untold numbers are killed by vehicles racing down our highways.

How do I get rid of squirrels legally?

6 Legal Squirrel Removal Tips
  1. Remove any food sources. Make sure to keep any pet food inside your home and tightly seal any outdoor garbage bins. ...
  2. Keep your attic tidy. ...
  3. Plant flowers squirrels hate. ...
  4. Remove entry points. ...
  5. Buy squirrel-proof bird feeders. ...
  6. Let your pets outside.

Do fake owls keep squirrels away?

While fake owls can temporarily deter squirrels, they are not foolproof solutions for long-term pest control.

Do electronic ultrasonic pest repellers really work?

Ultrasonic turns ultra-useless. In addition, studies, including one published by the University of Arizona, have also found that creatures that do react to ultrasonic pest repellers seem to get over it quickly or acclimate to it and resume life as usual when they realize it isn't harmful.

Does ultrasonic go 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 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.

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