A Major “Bug” in Bug Killers
You may have read about the “amazing” abilities of
ultrasonic pest or insect repellents—sold by a variety of manufacturers who
tout them as nontoxic, chemical-free pest control solutions.
Marketed on myriad Internet websites and advertised on
television, these devices appeal to many consumers as the “perfect fix”—an
effective way to dispatch household and garden pests “naturally,” with no
pesticides. This is music to the ears of environmentally conscious homeowners
who have adopted organic lifestyles and suffer from an unreasonable case of
pesticide phobia.
Companies that manufacture and sell ultrasonic pest
repellents claim they will safely rid your home, office and garden of annoying
pests: from moths, mosquitoes, cockroaches, fleas, crickets, ticks and bees to
slugs, bats, rats, birds, gophers, moles, skunks, squirrels, raccoons—and even
armadillos. Still others profess to be effective against head lice—a common
scalp problem affecting preschool-age children. Another company illogically
boasts that its device will keep unwanted dogs away from your home,
conveniently neglecting to mention any effects its product will have on
household pets.
So, how do these devices supposedly work their magic?
You simply plug the repellent into a standard electrical
outlet. It then emits a computer-controlled electronic signal, with a frequency
between 30,000 and 65,000 kHz, which is
inaudible to humans. Rodents and insects, however, cannot tolerate these
emissions and they scurry, according to manufacturers, who contend the
combination of ultrasound and electromagnetic signals disturbs pests’ nervous
systems, forcing them to relocate permanently within two weeks..
While these devices certainly sound like sophisticated
technologic marvels, there’s one major problem: They simply do not work. There
is no evidence or proof to support manufacturers’ promises—nary a single
success story. The only positive reviews can be found, not surprisingly, on
their manufacturers’ websites. What a coincidence!
Several countries are taking action against companies that
sell ultrasonic pest repellents, realizing manufacturers and retailers have
been stepping up their efforts to deceive the public. In the United
States, the Federal Trade Commission’s
Department of Enforcement has put more than 60 companies on notice, warning
they must have scientific evidence of all claims before they can continue to
market their wares. As the Commission correctly points out, if these devices
truly worked, their effects would be temporary at best; rodents would acclimate
to the ultrasonic sound and ultimately return to their original nests.
The Straight Dope, a consumer education website (www.straightdope.com) based in Chicago,Illinois, also weighs in on the issue,
citing a noteworthy study performed by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. In response to one manufacturer‘s claims that ultrasonic repellents
"mimic the sound of the bat--the mosquito's greatest
enemy"--researchers tested devices from different companies in a highly
mosquito-prone area. None eradicated the mosquitoes.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has also
filed claims against device manufacturers. The ACCC issued a court-enforceable
undertakings to the Danoz Group, accusing the company of making false and/or
exaggerated claims about its product’s capabilities. Danoz Group complied with
the government’s actions and agreed to cease making false allegations and
misleading representations; place corrective apologies on its website,
catalogues and on television; offer refunds to unhappy customers who had
purchased ultrasonic repellents since July 1997; and expand its current
trade-practices compliance program.
Without a doubt, technological advances improve our lives on
a daily basis. Ultrasonic pest repellents, however, remain a fiction. As the
international community continues to refute manufacturers’ disingenuous sales
pitches, you’ll save money by relying on conventional—and proven—methods of
pest control. Consult a qualified professional before a minor invasion turns
into a massive infestation—and a bona fide emergency.
If you are still not satisfied that ultrasound units do not work, check out this page for COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH
