Ultrasonic devices for repelling insects cause a large number of complaints among buyers. Most often they mention poor build quality, high cost, as well as insufficient efficiency of such devices. But most importantly, users have a question, how, in fact, ultrasound can affect cockroaches, fleas, and mites, unlike rodents the latter can not boast sharp hearing.

How ultrasound affects insects

Insects are arthropod invertebrates that have a very hard chitinous cover, which is essentially an external skeleton. Chitin, by the way, in some insects is one and a half times stronger than steel. Under the exoskeleton, there is living tissue, consisting of layers of fat and hemolymph.

Structure of insects

Chitinous plates of insects can resonate, they vibrate even at the slightest mechanical influence of external conditions, including acoustic waves, and the gel-like composition of the tissue enhances this influence. Here we should remember the laws of physics, according to which mechanical vibrations are transmitted in liquids much faster than in other media. For example, the speed of sound in air is just over 330 meters per second, and the speed of sound in water reaches 1,485 meters per second.

Interesting fact: Wondering, the effect of high-volume sound waves on insects can be compared to the low-frequency spectrum shock wave of a subwoofer in a car or a bass guitar at a rock concert, which can not only be heard but felt physically in the stomach.

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What is the effect of ultrasound?

However, unlike insects, human skin is an excellent sound absorber, and it dampens ultrasound, while chitinous resonators, on the contrary, amplify it. The result of such an effect is both painful feelings in arthropods and the failure of certain systems and organs.

Among other things, ultrasound is perfectly reflected from dense, and exceptionally smooth, surfaces, which include walls, ceiling, floor, and wooden or plastic furniture in the room, which implies a continuous repeatedly amplified acoustic attack on insects anywhere in the room, where there is such radiation.

Ultrasound advantages and disadvantages

The use of ultrasound to repel insects is a relatively new idea, and it does not work in every case. The universality of ultrasonic repellents is even more controversial, but to combat specific types of arthropods such devices can theoretically be applicable. In the end, even the manufacturers of devices themselves often advise using them as additional control measures along with disinfestation.

The positive qualities of ultrasonic insect repellents include the following:

• long operating time;
• high efficiency;
• safety for people and pets;
• ease of use;
• no chemicals are used;
• low power consumption;
• the ability to cover large areas;
• versatility.

Among the disadvantages of ultrasonic deterrence devices are usually noted:

• low effectiveness in cold air;
• the risk of humans and pets being affected by very high-power devices;
• sometimes the occurrence of habituation to them pests;
• high cost.

Types of ultrasonic repellents

Ultrasound of sufficient power has a negative effect on almost all kinds of living organisms, including animals, insects, birds, and fish. It is also interesting that sound waves of very high frequency when properly applied, kill bacteria and certain types of viruses. It is successfully used in medicine to treat a disease. Among the insect repellents that use this technology, the most common are:

• stationary devices powered by a standard electrical outlet;
• portable gadgets powered by batteries or rechargeable batteries;
• combined devices for home and field applications;
• less frequently, solar-powered devices.

Insect and rodent repellents

It is known that the frequency range from 25 to 45 kHz causes the most discomfort for most rodents and insects. However, for example, cockroaches, mice, and rats very quickly get used to unbearable conditions, which is why the frequency of sound vibrations of a high-quality repellent is floating, that is, it changes with certain time intervals in tone.

Interesting fact: The ultrasound produced by such devices has a devastating effect on the nervous system of insects and animals.

Versatile emitters

Universal ultrasonic devices can be used with equal success against ants, mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, bedbugs, lice, and other pests and parasites. There are many variations of electronic ultrasonic insect repellents on the market. According to the developers, the gadgets will soon replace poisons and fumigators due to their greater efficiency and environmental friendliness.

Ultrasound against mosquitoes

Ultrasonic mosquito repellent imitates the mating squeak of the male of these insects. Fertile females that bite people do not tolerate this sound and try to avoid it in every possible way. Some models mimic the squeak of bats. Mosquito repellents are replacing chemical sprays, fumigators, and creams.

In our opinion, whether this is actually the case is hard to say for sure, but electronic devices have certain advantages over traditional methods of protection, including the absence of chemicals and odor. In addition, the effect of such repellents is aimed exclusively at mosquitoes.

Cockroach Devices

House cockroaches have no natural enemies, but they do not tolerate high-frequency signals. The problem is that devices from cockroaches due to the latter’s features have an increased power flow of ultrasonic radiation, so much so that it can adversely affect people and pets.

Devices against flies

The familiar insects can drive anyone crazy. Not only are they annoying and pesky, but they also carry all kinds of infections, some of which are very dangerous and even deadly. Ultrasonic repellers may be a good way out, but the effectiveness of these devices, however, as well as all scarecrows with ultrasound, judging by reviews, is very questionable.

Ultrasonic gadgets from ants

As you know, small house ants in the human dwelling are a very unpleasant neighborhood. It is possible to kill or expel them with the use of chemical disinfectants, as well as with the help of specialized repellents. Such devices are characterized by local action, but there are very few of them on the market. Universal emitters with the option to repel ants, judging by reviews, do not work properly.

In addition to the above narrowly focused gadgets for scaring away using ultrasound, there are also:

• ultrasonic tick repellents;
• repellent bedbugs;
• devices from fleas;
• devices against spiders;
• ultrasonic devices from wasps;
• mole repellents;
• ultrasonic bird repellents;
• snake repellent;
• devices against bats.

Instructions for use

Conducting a study of reviews on forums and studying the instructions for use of several models of insect repellent, we made the following conclusions.

Ultrasonic devices for repelling insects, as a rule, do not require additional measures to prepare them for work. The standalone device is inserted with batteries or rechargeable batteries, the network gadget is plugged into a socket. 

Note: Most manufacturers recommend the constant inclusion of the device for a certain period of time, depending on the model. A high-quality product does not tend to overheat, make extraneous noises, or emit an unpleasant odor. 

Usually, crawling insects leave the house after 1-4 weeks, subsequently, the connection of the device is necessary for preventive purposes.

It should be borne in mind that the above figures are not exact and depend on the brand and model of the repeller. In addition, you must take into account the load of the room with furniture, soft or hard objects, partitions, and other interior items. 

Safety and Precautions

When using an ultrasonic emitter, standard safety precautions for household appliances should be followed, including:

• do not plug the product into dangling or broken outlets;
• do not obstruct the switched-on device with furniture, or objects of the interior;
• not to turn on the device at ambient temperatures above or below the values specified in the instruction manual;
• do not connect the gadget in conditions of high humidity;
• do not use a defective repeller.

When using an ultrasonic insect repellent, the following precautions should also be followed:

• do not place the device near the sleeping place;
• periodically turn off the device, especially if the latter is overheated;
• watch for pets, if they have unusual behavior, you must stop using the emitter;
• If the use of the ultrasound device causes headaches or deterioration of the general health condition of people, it is necessary to stop its use.

Do deterrents affect people and pets?

This is probably the most relevant and unexplored question. Ultrasound has a higher frequency than the low-frequency spectrum and is not perceived by the human ear. However, no one canceled the individual characteristics of hearing and the irritating effects of sound vibrations, including the inaudible.

Important! Most likely, ultrasonic waves can still affect the human condition, although often he is not aware of it. This influence in a mild form is expressed in mood changes, and headaches, which we do not pay much attention to; in more severe cases it can be panic feelings, mild depression, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

Unlike humans, the effects of ultrasound on pets are more pronounced. Such ornamental rodents as hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats can experience anxiety, depression of the nervous system, and other disorders; parrots and other birds experience anxiety and even fear; dogs and cats do not tolerate ultrasound, they can become more aggressive or, on the contrary, look more frightened than usual and always try to leave the danger zone as quickly as possible.

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