Do Ultrasonic Pest Repellers Work?

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Written by Brenda Woods Updated 06/27/2024

Ultrasonic pest repellers are a popular alternative to the chemical pesticides leading pest control brands often use. These plug-in or battery-operated devices are marketed as safe and environmentally friendly. The ultrasonic waves they emit are meant to disrupt pests’ nervous systems, making it uncomfortable for them to stay in the area. But does scientific evidence support these claims, or are ultrasonic pest repellers a gimmick? We’ll explain why these devices are “too good to be true” and offer some better alternatives for preventing pest infestations in your home.

The Science Behind Ultrasonic Pest Repellers

Ultrasonic pest repellers are small electronic devices that emit high-frequency sound waves, also known as ultrasonic sound waves, to repel cockroaches, crickets, bed bugs, rodents, and other pests. These devices produce sound at a frequency that is inaudible to humans but supposedly intolerable to pests .

Electronic pest repellers’ frequencies typically fall between 20 kilohertz (kHz) and 100 kHz. For perspective, humans can hear sounds with frequencies ranging from 20 hertz (Hz) to 20 kHz. The makers of these devices claim that high-frequency sounds above 20 kHz irritate and confuse pests, making it difficult for them to communicate, breed, and navigate their surroundings. Ultimately, the manufacturers say, the discomfort pests experience should drive them away from the area where the device operates. Some manufacturers even claim that t he sound induces an audiogenic seizure response, a physiological response characterized by convulsions, nondirectional running, and cerebral hemorrhage.

Are Ultrasonic Pest Repellers Effective?

Whether ultrasonic pest repellers really work is a subject of debate. Numerous studies testing their effectiveness have reported mixed results. As a result, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued warnings to several ultrasonic pest repeller manufacturers stating their claims of effectiveness were not supported by scientific evidence. A few studies do suggest that ultrasonic frequencies can be effective in certain situations. However, researchers obtained the best results with repellent devices that pest control professionals and researchers had developed—rather than commercially available devices. According to a review of sonic pest repellents published by the University of Arizona, “success is likely attributed to the development of techniques and devices that target specific species.” The devices researchers develop often use sounds derived from an organism rather than generic computer-generated tones. One example is a 2013 study that successfully used a playback of bark beetles ’ own stress call to repel the species. However, most scientific studies have found few or no signs that commercially – available ultrasonic pest repellers actually work. Researchers at Kansas State University tested three devices in 2002 and found that none were able to repel ants in field or laboratory trials. Similarly, researchers observed no effect on bed bugs in a 2012 study that tested four devices or in a 2007 experiment involving German cockroaches and two types of mosquitoes.

• problems. It will not eliminate the food sources that critters find appealing or the way they got into your home in the first place. As a result, you likely need to use other pest control methods simultaneously to address an existing infestation.

Factors That Affect Ultrasonic Pest Repellers

If you’re interesting in taking a gamble on the questionable effectiveness of ultrasonic pest repellers, consider the factors that may affect the results.

• Roomsize: Larger rooms will likely require multiple devices, as sound waves emitted by a single device may not be strong enough to reach all corners of the room.
• Placement: Furniture, walls, and other household objects can block or absorb high-frequency sound waves, limiting their ability to reach pests. To improve your device’s reach, place it in an open space at a height that allows the sound waves to travel unobstructed. Additionally, placing devices near known pest entry points or nesting areas may increase their effectiveness.
• Pesttype: Most studies have found these devices to be largely ineffective in repelling insects such as roaches, mosquitoes, and bed bugs. Furthermore, research has shown them to have limited effectiveness against rodents, with some rodents becoming accustomed to the sound over time. To increase your odds of success, look for a device designed for the pest you want to deter.
• Frequency: Some devices offer adjustable frequencies, potentially increasing their effectiveness.
• Environment: Certain environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, may affect ultrasonic pest repellers’ performance. High humidity levels can absorb sound waves, potentially reducing the device’s effective range. Moreover, background noise can interfere with the ultrasonic sound waves, diminishing their effectiveness.
• Pestpopulation density: If you have a large pest population, consider combining your ultrasonic pest repeller with other pest control methods to achieve your desired results.

Other Considerations

When deciding whether to use ultrasonic pest repellers, consider the potential risks, the cost compared to other pest control methods, and customer reviews of popular devices.