×

Warning

JUser: :_load: Unable to load user with ID: 728610

Print this page

Electronic Pest Control. How Does it Work and is it Effective?

Written by Posted On Sunday, 28 October 2018 21:50
Electronic Pest Control. How Does it Work and is it Effective?

Electronic pest control is a term used to refer to various types of electrically powered gadgets designed to keep away or eliminate pests, usually rodents or insects.

Electromagnetic and Ultrasonic are the known and widely used types of electronic pest control

Types of Electronic Pest Control

There is more than one type of electrical pest deterrent on the market, and more in development all the time. Understand the differences so that you can make an informed choice.

1. Ultrasonic

Ultrasonic devices operate by emitting short wavelength, high-frequency sound waves that are above a pitch which people can hear (all frequencies greater than 20,000 Hz.).

A persons' eardrums do not vibrate fast and thus cannot detect ultrasonic sound.  Animals like dogs, bats and rodents can hear well into the ultrasonic range. Insects, such as locusts and grasshoppers can detect frequencies starting from 50,000 Hz all the way to 100,000 Hz.

Other insects such as lacewings and moths can hear ultrasound of 240,000 Hz that is produced by insect-hunting bats.

Electronic mosquito repellents (EMRS) are designed to keep away female mosquitoes by producing high-pitched sounds almost inaudible to the human ear.

Research done at Kansas State University revealed that ultrasonic sound gadgets have the ability to repel some living organisms and even interfere with their reproductive capacities.

Tests involving the commercial use of ultrasonic devices have shown that mice and rats could be deterred from the immediate area within a short space of time.

2. Radio wave pest control

According to recent studies at Washington State University with colleagues at the University of California, heat generated from RF energy by means of the rapid movement of bound water molecules can pass through the ions of animals and agitate the free molecules of water in insects.  the result is higher.

As a result, more thermal energy amount of converted thermal energy in insects converted in the insects.

RF treatments control insect pests without negatively affecting foodstuffs and storage locations.

RF treatments are non-chemical and thus an excellent alternative to fumigants containing chemicals for pest control during post-harvest in commodities such as almonds, lentils, peas, and soybeans.

RF treatments reduce the long-term impact on the environment, human health and agriculture industries competitiveness.

Effects on pests

Electronic pest control mechanisms have specific adverse effects on insects and pests. Apart from preventive measures, these electronic devices influence the nature of this organisms.

Ultrasonic sound devices cause a significant number of reductions in mating and reproduction of various insects.

Also, ultrasonic repellents are a constant irritation to pests because the high-pitched noise affects their central nervous systems and causes them physical discomfort hence making them leave their habitats.

Safety

Ultrasonic electronic pest and insect repellent devices are proven to be intolerable to insects and rodents due to their high-frequency sound waves.

However,  the use of these devices alone will not probably end your pest problems; you need to understand what the gadgets can do before investing in them.

Thinking about adding electronic repellents to your pest-control system, keep in mind the following:

Keep trapping

Just put the sound waves causing the pests to scurry around and then drive them right into your traps.

Expect Diminishing Returns

It's possible that mice and rats may become acclimatized to the ultrasonic effects of these ultrasonic devices over time, so the results may only be temporary, thus reducing the long-term use of these devices as a solution.

Have Realistic Expectations

Keep in mind that there will a percentage decrease in the number of pests; some pests might take a while to be eliminated.

Device Location

Sound waves are short range and very weak, such that furniture, walls, and corners easily block them. To determine the best location for your device, place a lamp next to the unit, turn off all the other lights, and check out the shadows and beams from the lamp.

As a rule of thumb, the repellent sound waves will only be active where the light reaches.

Feature image, Pexels, CC0 License

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Latest from

Joomla! Debug Console

Session

Profile Information

Memory Usage

Database Queries