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There are hundreds of
different types of electronic pest control devices covering a broad
spectrum of uses. No matter what kind of pest is wreaking havoc on
your property, there is sure to be an electronic pest control device
that claims to be the answer. Extensive testing on these devices is
a bit lacking, so the efficacy of each one cannot be guaranteed.
Still, anecdotal evidence makes many of them worth a try.
There are two main types of electronic pest control–ultrasonic and
electromagnetic. Ultrasonic pest control devices produce high
pitched sounds that are outside of the range the human ear can
detect to repel pests. These are most commonly designed for rodent,
bat and other animal infestations. They operate on the principle the
animals are frightened and distressed by high pitch noises and will
avoid the areas where it is emitted. Some of these devices use
variable pulse generators that modulate the sound so animals cannot
get used to it.
Electromagnetic pest control devices use electromagnetic fields to
create a barrier around your home. The wiring of your home is
employed to send out a signal that disrupts the nervous system of
pests and makes them annoyed and confused. The theory is that pests
will then want to leave your home and find a more comfortable
environment. These devices are imperceptible to humans and pets
unless your pet is a rodent.
There are other electronic pest control devices that fall into
neither the ultrasonic nor the electromagnetic category. Sonic
devices, for instance, use noises that are audible to humans to
control pests. One common application of these devices is to evict
underground pests like moles and gophers. Moles and gophers can turn
your garden upside down, but it is hard to catch them. If you bury a
sonic pest control device in the ground, the high decibel noise will
send them packing. Ultraviolet bug zappers are another type of
electronic pest control device. They attract flying insects with
their glowing ultraviolet light and then trap them inside and zap
them. Some electronic pest control devices utilize ionic technology
to kill dust mites and bacteria that are sensitive to negative ions.
The same negative ions actually improve air quality. You can find
some devices that employ multiple forms of electronic pest control
for several levels of protection.
While there is promising technology behind electronic pest control
devices, they are still largely untested and somewhat controversial.
Some people will swear by their efficacy and others will swear
against it. One common complaint is that the device will work
temporarily, but then the pest will return when it has become
accustomed to it. The claims of companies that sell these devices
are not validated by the government, so caution is indicated when
you make a purchase. It’s a good idea to do some research on a
particular product and see what kind of reviews consumers give it
before you buy. If a product has a money back guarantee, that’s an
added bonus. Some of these devices are quite expensive and it would
be a shame to throw good money after bad.
Ultrasonic and electromagnetic pest control devices may cause
distress in your pets particularly if you happen to have some
rodents as pets. If you do have a pet in your home, you might want
to reconsider getting and ultrasonic pest control device. It has
been reported that they can cause hearing damage in household pets.
Likewise, if you have neighbors close by, this could cause a
problem. Ultrasonic devices, though inaudible to humans, can also
interfere with other electronic devices like telephones burglar
alarm and hearing aids, so use them with caution. |
