Is Untrasonic Electronic Pest Control, Effective?

tedgyz asks: "I have declared war on the pests in my house. I am tired of hearing the scurrying of mice and squirrels in my walls. Worse - I am tired of the nests littered with droppings buried in boxes in the attic. I have used standard traps, and although successful, it seems that new rodents or more than happy to replace the ones I've killed. Are ultrasonic deterrents effective?"

"I've searched the web, but I can only find marketing material from manufacturers and distributors. I'm looking for cold, hard facts.

1. Do ultrasonic deterrents really keep rodents out of your house?
2. What is the range?
3. Do they last, or do the rodents eventually return?
4. Are they truly innocuous to dogs and cats?
5. How do you measure success?"

Comments

The most effective solution

[ralphclark]

A couple of years ago I moved into a house in the country, which was full of mice. The previous occupants had laid down traps and poison, to no avail.

Shortly after moving in we got ourselves two kittens, just weaned. By the time they were six months old there were no more mice! Any new would-be immigrants get dealt with by the time they reach the garden. We are also free from rats, moles, voles, shrews and anything else that moves. Pretty much as you would expect!

The secret is not to overfeed them so they stay healthy, agile and a little bit hungry most of the time.

They're also very nice cats as it happens, very loyal, affectionate and playful. They're always goofing around and making us laugh. It feels like they're part of the family.

Re:The most effective solution

[jht]

I've read (and I believe) that the behaviors you see in a cat "playing" with it's prey are simply instinctive behaviors. It's making sure the prey is dead after killing it by (ideally) breaking it's neck. It's not rage, it's simply hunting instinct. No "emotion" as we understand it really factors into it.

When the cat brings you a dead critter? Well, that means the cat likes you, but not the way you think. basically, that's the cat's way of saying "I've tried to teach you how to hunt, you don't seem to get it, so if I bring you thins maybe you won't starve. But get off your duff and start killing your own food!"