Rodent infestation can be troublesome so it’s best to immediately prepare measures to avoid the health risks and property damages that these household pests bring. And for anyone who is looking for a quick fix to their mice problem at home, sound traps or ultrasonic pest repellers might seem an inexpensive and convenient solution.
So how effective are the traps for rats and mice that make high pitch noise? Although ultrasonic pest repellers can temporarily chase rodents away, they won’t completely keep rodents away from your place, since most ultrasonic devices have a short coverage and the sounds can’t penetrate the walls where rodents like to hide. Mice and rats can also get used to the vibrations from the device, making them ineffective for long-term rodent control.
Ultrasonic Sound Devices: How They Claim To Repel Rodents
When researching for an easy-to-use pest control device, ultrasonic sound pest repellents are usually included in the list. Rather than exterminating or catching mice, this pest control device claims to prevent rodent activity by emitting high frequency sound waves that are thought to be uncomfortable for mice and rats.
These ultrasonic devices are widely marketed to be safe for families with kids since their sounds can only be heard by rats and mice. Most sound repellents can produce sound frequencies up to 65,000 Hz, which fall in the average hearing capacity of mice and rats. This sound is above the average level of human hearing but still repels rodents due to their extremely sensitive hearing.
Reasons Why Ultrasonic Pest Repellents Are Not Recommended
There are some studies that show short-term effectiveness of ultrasonic pest control devices in repelling certain pests like crickets and bed bugs. However, there is not enough evidence to support the usage of sound repellent devices for controlling rodents, especially for long-term protection.
In one study, a group of researchers put several laboratory mice to test and discovered that they showed temporary aversion to the ultrasonic sound. But given some time, the rodents became familiar with the sound and were unaffected by the device. House mice and rats are smart critters so they can quickly adapt their senses to their environment which makes the device ineffective for them.
Here are other reasons why using ultrasonic pest repellents may do more harm than good to your rodent infestation:
1. Mice and rats eventually display “habituation” to the constant audible sound
Habituation refers to the condition where rodents stop responding to a certain stimulus. In the case of ultrasonic pest control, it is a state where the rats and mice lessen their guard to the high frequency sound waves and notice decreased threat from the device. In the cited research, it was discovered that the rodent subjects continued to explore the room even with the presence of the ultrasonic sound.
2. The sounds may decrease rodent activity but not completely eliminate them
Some people who have used the commercial ultrasonic repellents have shared that they noticed decreased pests at home. But in the case of sound rodent repellents, it won’t completely eradicate and may do the opposite to start a severe infestation in some areas of the house.
Once rodents detect the sound from the device, they may flee to other parts of the home where they can multiply and live in hiding. They may continue to leave rat droppings and find their way to your food, walls, and furniture once they get used to the ultrasonic repellent.
3. Ultrasonic repellents have limited range and can’t pass through walls
The sound frequencies from the ultrasonic device are only audible to a certain distance from where it’s installed. Most commercial sound pest repellents have a short range of up to 300 to 800 square feet and they can only work for rodents and pests in the room. You may need to put up several electronic devices in different rooms if you want whole-home protection but it can be pricey.
In addition, the sounds from the ultrasonic rodent repellents may not be able to penetrate thick walls or reach behind drawers, cupboards, and furniture where rats and mice usually hide. The presence of objects in a room may obstruct the sound waves and rodents may continue to roam without detecting the noise.
Best Alternatives For Effective Rodent Control at Home
The best rodent control employs using different methods to increase chances of capturing or eliminating mice and rats at home. There’s a possibility that you may use ultrasonic sound repellents to drive rodents away and lead them straight to your traps and baits. Here are other alternatives that you can use for catching rodents at home:
| | How Do They Work? | Are They Safe to Use? | How Long Do They Take To Catch Mice? |
| Live mouse traps | A live mouse trap is one of the most humane traps to use because it allows you to remove rodents from your home without killing them. All you need to do is put a good amount of bait in the trap and once the mouse enters, the door will automatically snap close to prevent their exit. Afterward, you can release the captured mice away from your home. | Yes, it’s safe for humans since you can use non-toxic food baits. | It may take several days and constant monitoring of the trap to see if any mice have been captured. |
| Electronic traps | An electronic rat trap is a small battery-operated device that kills the captured rodent by shocking them with a high voltage current. | They’re easy to set up and safe to be placed around children or pets. However, they’re recommended for indoor use only since the environment outdoors may decrease its usability. | You may need to check the trap every several days to see if there’s a catch. The trap is reusable so you need to dispose of the rodent and clean them thoroughly after every capture. |
| Snap traps | Traditional spring-loaded snap traps can be made of wood, plastic, or metal with a snap bar to lock or instantly kill rodents that come into contact. | Snap traps may accidentally trap a child’s finger or may hurt your pet’s paw. To ensure safety, place the traps in areas away from pets and children. | Like electronic traps, you need to monitor the snap trap from time to time to see if a rodent has been captured. |
| Glue boards | Glue traps, sticky traps, or glue boards are essentially cardboards or trays that are covered with a strong adhesive. It is an alternative to snap traps that renders rodents unable to walk or crawl further once they come across the sticky trap. | They’re safer than snap traps, but they may still stick to your child or pet. When this happens, you may use cooking oil to remove the trap. | Upon placing, it can take a few hours or days for mice to find and get trapped on the glue board. However, glue boards can lose their stickiness and should be replaced every 30 days. |
| Rodenticides | Rodenticide or rat poison contains toxic chemicals that can kill mice and rats. They can also be toxic to other animals and pests like squirrels, chipmunks, and beavers. | They may cause poisoning when accidentally ingested by children so be sure to place them away from their reach. | Once a rodent takes a bite of the poison, it may take 4 to 6 days before they die. |
6 Ways To Prevent A Rodent Infestation
Once mice and rats have nested in your home, their infestation can be difficult to control. The best thing you can do to avoid experiencing an uncontrollable rodent problem is to take precautionary actions. Here are some helpful tips to keep rodents from invading your living spaces:
- Seal cracks, entry holes, and small openings that can invite them from the outdoors
- Clean up clutters in your storage areas to lessen their potential hiding places
- Place dry food, pet food packages, and snacks in tightly-sealed containers on your counters or inside cupboards
- Always wipe countertops and sweep floors clean from food crumbs or spills that may attract rats
- Set bait traps in areas where they can enter to control their population
- Schedule a regular rodent inspection with a team of professional pest control experts to help check and rodent-proof your home
Professional Rodent Services You Can Trust Only From Midway Pest Management
Ultrasonic pest repellents aren’t enough to solve your pest infestation problems at home. Let the pest control experts at Midway Pest Management offer you the best rodent control solution to ensure the safety of your family at home.
Midway Pest Management is a professional pest control company in Kansas, USA that offers reliable and high-quality extermination services suited to your specific needs. Call us today to know more about our services and schedule your free home inspection.
Read More: Can Ultrasonic Mouse Repellents Cause Damage to Humans?