Effects On Pests
"Ultrasound and Arthropod Pest Control" an extensive Kansas State University study confirmed that ultrasonic sound devices do have both a repellent effect as well as a reduction in mating and reproduction of various insects. However, the results were mixed and ultrasonic sound had little or no effect on some pests. Ultrasonic devices were highly effective on crickets while the same devices had little repellent effect on cockroaches. Additionally the results were mixed with some devices being effective while others having no effect depending on the test subject. The study also concluded there was no effect on ants or spiders in any of the tests. They concluded, based on the mixed results, that more research is needed to improve these devices.
A 2002 study by Genesis Laboratories Inc. does lend some credence to the ability of electronic repellent devices to repel certain pests in controlled environments. “Preliminary study of white-footed mice behavior in the test apparatus demonstrated a significant preference for the non-activated chamber among both sexes.” This study was sponsored by Global Instruments, the maker of the "Pest-a-cator" series of electronic repellent devices.
In 2003, the Federal Trade Commission required Global Instruments, the maker of the Pest-A-Cator/Riddex series of electromagnetic pest control devices, to discontinue any claims for their efficacy until they are backed by credible scientific evidence. This ban continues to be in effect.
Victor Pest managed to obtain positive results from independent researchers which resulted in two ultrasonic devices being granted registration by the Canadian EPA(PMRA). The results from the tests were the device “successfully repelled the rodents from the protected area in 13 of the 17 sites. This represents a 81.3% success rate...the average number of days before rodent activity was stopped was six days.”
Cockroaches initially respond to electronic pest control devices by moving about a bit more than usual, but don't appear overly eager to escape from the sound waves. This includes devices that emit uniform frequency as well as changing frequencies of ultrasound. Rodents adjust to the ultrasound (or any new sound) and eventually ignore it. However, researchers were able to use the increased cockroach activity to good effect by increasing the rate they caught the roaches in sticky traps. At best, ultrasonic waves have only a partial or temporary effect on rodents. Numerous studies have rejected ultrasonic sound as a practical means of rodent control.
Tests of commercial ultrasonic devices have indicated that rodents may be repelled from the immediate area of the ultrasound device for a few minutes to a few days, but they will nearly always return and resume normal activities. Other tests have shown that the degree of repellence depends on the frequency, intensity, and the pre-existing condition of the rodent infestation. The intensity of such sounds must be so great that damage to humans or domestic animals would also be likely. Commercial ultrasonic pest control devices do not produce sounds of such intensity.
Read more about this topic: Electronic Pest Control
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