From self-driven cars to AI assistants, we have a device for every problem. However, one pesky problem is determined to irritate us – cockroaches.
Roaches are stubborn bugs that won’t leave your house no matter how hard you try. You can use insecticides, chemical lures, and even sticky traps, but roaches are sure to stick around. So, is there a device to repel roaches from infesting your home?
Yes, ultrasonic pest repellers are specifically designed for pest control. However, there is no evidence that they can help you get rid of cockroaches.
Read this post if you’re curious to find the answer to whether or not ultrasonic pest repellers are effective.
Can Ultrasonic Pest Repellers Deter Cockroaches?
To date, there is not enough evidence to prove the theory behind ultrasonic pest repellers.
These devices are backed by the concept that they can produce sufficient sound to force roaches out of every corner of your house. This means you don’t have to get into the hassle of using expensive and harmful chemicals used to remove roach infestations.
But unfortunately, the devices are not the best alternative to roach baits and traps.
Why are Ultrasonic Pest Repellers Ineffective at Removing Roaches?
A study claims that ultrasonic pest repellers are ineffective at their job. During the study, researchers used nine ultrasonic pest controllers against the pesky and tiny German roaches to test the productivity of these devices.
Unfortunately, the repellers had no luck against cockroaches as the pests continued to invade the rooms with active devices.
Moreover, another research found similar results where three commercial ultrasonic repellers were used to drive away from the nudniks. Similar to the first study, the researchers found no device compelling enough to repel the roaches.
Both research studies leave us with the fact that the technology is ineffective for pest control and management.
Issues with Ultrasonic Pest Repellers
Ultrasonic pest repellers devices have a few issues, such as:
- They can transmit sound waves over short distances.
- The waves are blocked or inhibited by furniture.
- They may affect domestic pets such as hamsters and guinea pigs.
- They create interference with alarm systems.
However, all hope is not lost as these devices may have a slight effect.
A study on German roaches confined into plywood cubes measuring 1.2 meters found effective results of ultrasonic pest repellers. The cockroaches were kept in these cubes with water, food, and an ultrasonic repellent.
The researchers used a length of cubing to connect the cube pairs, one of which contained an active ultrasonic repeller. The results showed that cockroaches preferred staying in areas without the devices.
What Sound Frequencies Do Roaches Dislike?
It appears that ultrasonic frequencies don’t bother cockroaches as much. However, longitudinal sound waves significantly affect these pests caused by:
- Clapping
- Slamming doors
- Music woofers
- Stomping
- Drumhead vibration
Longitudinal waves are produced when the disturbance moves in the same direction as the wave. So, when these waves come in contact with a roach’s fine sensory hairs and organs, they may feel in danger and run away. This sense is accountable, among many other reasons that make roaches so adaptable.
However, cockroaches may soon get used to these sounds and learn to live with them. Therefore, calling over a DJ to play loud music isn’t going to solve your roach problem.
What Frequency Does Pest Repellers Use?
The ultrasonic pest repelling devices designed for commercial use can emit frequencies ranging from 20 kHz to 100 kHz. These frequencies are high enough to be inaudible to an average adult. In comparison, children can hear frequencies up to 30 kHz.
When it comes to pests, such as flies, cockroaches, and mosquitoes, they have an ear to respond to ultrasound frequencies between 38 to 44 kHz.
Ultrasound possesses high frequencies, which means the waves are ever-powerful. Since cockroaches have sensory hairs to pick up these frequencies, they may get confused or run away out of fear of predators.
Moreover, ultrasound can create stress on the bug’s nervous system. So if a device is kept in close range, roaches may flee from the area.
Does High Frequency Repel Roaches?
The debate on whether or not ultrasound frequencies can repel roaches never seems to end due to a lack of evidence. Also, some homeowners have unreliable proof that high frequency is effective against cockroaches.
So, the theory is valid for some people, while others are still looking for solutions to repel the bugs.
Is There Any Natural Alternative to Repel Cockroaches?
If you’re among those who want an effective repellent for roaches, you can count on certain scents. These smells are better at deterring roaches than ultrasonic devices. The best part is that you may enjoy sniffing them too.
The list includes scents of:
- Cinnamon
- Bay Leaves
- Eucalyptus
- Citrus
- Catnip
- Coffee grounds
- Garlic
- Tea tree
- Citronella
- Peppermint
- Lavender
Roaches have a magical nose. Well, not literally, but they have great smelling powers. They are experts at tracking scents with their antennae. But of course, cockroaches may get used to certain odors, but these scents can be pretty helpful in repelling the pests.
FAQs
Do Ultrasonic Pest Repellers Interfere With WiFi?
No, ultrasonic pest repellers do not affect your WiFi signals. However, they may interfere with your telephone quality. In addition, you may experience issues with receiving cell phone and landline calls.
What Frequency Kills Roaches?
Cockroaches can respond to ultrasound frequencies between 38 to 44 kHz, so they may die from high-frequency sound waves. In addition, the noise produced by pest repellers can confuse or stress them out, eventually leading to death. However, there is no evidence for it.
Do Ultrasonic Waves Go Through Walls?
No, ultrasonic waves can’t travel through solid surfaces like walls, ceilings, and floors. This is because ultrasonic waves behave more like light instead of sound.
Final Thoughts
Ultrasonic pest repellers can be great for getting rid of roaches only if they become more advanced. The sound waves produced by these devices can not cover large distances. As a result, you may not have good results in big houses.
Moreover, roaches are adept at hiding in hard-to-reach corners of the house. Since ultrasound can not penetrate through walls and other solid surfaces, drawing cockroaches out of their hideouts can not be possible with these repellers.
Alternatively, you can rely on some effective smell repellants, such as cinnamon and bay leaves. The scents are non-toxic and a better alternative to toxic chemicals harmful to the environment.