If you want to deter pests from visiting your home, but don’t want to use toxic poisons, powders or sprays; then pest repellers offer a more humane approach to pest control. Designed to distract, annoy and discourage common household pests such as rats, mice, squirrels, birds and bugs; these ultrasonic pest repellers will scare them away at the flick of a switch.
What are ultrasonic pest repellers?
Ultrasonic pest repellers have pests running for the door thanks to the high frequency radioactive sounds they emit. Simple and easy to use, they can only be heard by pests, so are safe to use around pets and children.
Although still a relatively new device, ultrasonic pest repellers are gaining in popularity thanks to their perceived effectiveness. Easy to use around the home, most are designed to target specific pests and insects.
There are even ultrasonic bird sound deterrents that can be used outdoors which replicate the sounds of predatory birds such as hawks and falcons to scare pest birds away and some that can be installed in cars to prevent rodents and chipmunks from chewing.
Best ultrasonic pest repellers available to buy
In this guide we look at indoor pest repellers, explain their effectiveness, understand how they operate and review our top 4 pest rejects, all of which are currently available to buy.
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How do pest repellers work?
Pest rejects work by producing high frequency sound waves that are intolerable to rodents and insects. You simply plug the device into a power socket and switch it on. The wavelengths released then cause rodents and other pests to flee.
The electronic pest repeller should always be placed in an open location so that the noise will not be absorbed and suppressed into nearby walls or furniture.
Do ultrasonic pest repellents really work?
There is much controversy and debate surrounding ultrasonic pest repellents, with little scientific research proving or disproving their effectiveness.
What we do know for sure is that rats and mice can hear higher sound frequencies than humans. By emitting ultrasonic noise constantly into the ears of a rodent would be as irritating as tinnitus is to a human. Therefore, whilst it won’t kill these pesky pests, these ultrasonic repellers should be effective in driving them away.
That said, there are some things you need to consider. Firstly, it can take time for a pest repeller to become effective depending on how large your infestation is. Secondly, having them in one room will just drive them to flee to another. Ultrasonic sound waves cannot penetrate through doors, windows, furniture or walls, so you should place them sporadically around your property making it difficult for them to find peace.
How to set up a pest repeller
Setting up a pest reject is so easy to do as long as you read the manufacturers information guide. As each device is different, make sure the follow the instructions to ensure adequate peace of mind. Most ultrasonic pest repellers are either plug ins or require a power outlet, so you don’t need to worry about changing batteries or ensuring that it situated in direct sunlight in order to operate efficiently.
Although these ultrasonic devices are pretty powerful, they are unable to emit sound waves strong enough to travel through walls. In order to make sure that your whole property is pest free, place a pest reject on every floor from loft to basement and in as many different rooms as possible. This is where multi-packs become a more cost-effective option.
Are pest repellers dangerous to other animals?
Most people worry about using pest control around pets and other non-pest animals due to their toxicity and the potential to cause harm.
For this reason, we would advise purchasing an ultrasonic pest repeller that has been scientifically proven to be safe for domestic animals. Most ultrasonic pest repellers send out sounds that fall outside the hearing range of a dog or cat, however, household pets such as hamsters, gerbils and rats may be affected by the noise. Therefore, we would recommend using pest rejects in rooms where pets do not reside.
It is also advisable to use cordless devices if you have pets or children, so that do not trip or chew through the lead.
Do ultrasonic pest repellers work on squirrels?
Most outdoor pest repellers do claim to work on squirrels, however, just like other pests, there is no credible scientific evidence to suggest these actually work. It is simply a matter of opinion and a try for yourself experience.
Which electronic pest repeller works best?
There is a multitude of choice when it comes to selecting an electronic pest repeller, so it is important that you buy one that is fit for purpose. We recommend considering the following:
- Cost. Like most things, when it comes to pest rejects you get what you pay for. These electronic devices start from around $10 and range anywhere up to $100, depending on the brand, product and quality. Plug in repellers tend to be cheaper as they do not cover large distances and tend to have a shorter working life. Plug ins do, however, tend to come in multi-packs, making them more cost-effective.
- Features. There are some UPR’s that have premium features such as an indicator lights to let you know they are working, with some doubling up as a nightlight.
- Distance covered. Most ultrasonic pest repellers are powerful enough to cover distances of up to 1200 sq feet, with some corded repellers, able to stretch to 5000 sq feet. It really depends on where your pests lurk and how large the floorspace.
- Frequency. Depending on which pest reject you choose will depend on high or low the level of frequency. Ideally you want one that is strong enough to repel pests without affecting other animals. In general, we recommend looking for a device with a frequency of around60-80Hz.
- Longevity. Due to the nature of their name, disposable pest repellers will not last as long as corded, which can last up to 5 years
Our best ultrasonic pest repellers
Depending on which pest you want to target and where you plan to place it, take a look below at our top 4 recommendations for pest rejects 2019.
#1 MaxMoxie Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
Best for targeting a range of pests
This humane pest control device is so easy to use and is kid and pet safe. It claims to effectively deter rodents, roaches, spiders, mosquitoes, bed bugs and ants as you can change the frequency to prevent pests from becoming accustomed to the noise. It also has a handy nightlight feature that provides a soft glow in the dark, should you wish, and can be plugged in around your home.
With an input voltage of 90V – 240V, the MaxMoxie repeller delivers a frequency range of 20Hz – 60Hz and can cover distances of up to1200 square feet. A single repeller can last for 5 – 6 years, saving you the time, trouble and cost of making frequent purchases.
Pros
- Can change frequency to target different pests and prevent familiarity
- Frequency range of up to 60Hz
- Repels for up to 1200sq ft
- Safe to use around pets
- 1-year satisfaction guarantee plus 60 days money-back guarantee
Cons
- Expensive compared to others on the market
- LED light at the bottom creates a strong glow
#2 Aspectek Rotatable Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
Best repeller if you have pets at home
These pest repellers are incredibly stylish, and thanks to their 180-degree rotating unit they have the ability to direct sound waves specifically towards an infestation of rats, mice, ants, cockroaches, spiders, bugs or bats.
Able to cover up to 5000sq ft, they emit a powerful high-frequency sound that can effectively repel insects and small rodents. These units can also be used a night light and have a power outlet on the side which can be used to charge other electronic devices.
If you have pets, there is a switchable function that protects them when they are in the house.
Pros
- Great value for money
- 180-degree rotating unit
- Repels for up to 5000sq ft
- Safe to use around pets thanks to its switchable button
Cons
- Must remember to switch button to protect pets
CHECK PRICE At amazon
#3 Pest Reject Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
Best pest repeller multipack
A must have in every home and office, this ultrasonic repeller is eco and pet friendly and comes as a set of six. It is a great solution for anyone wanting to eradicate indoor pests such as crawling or flying bugs and rodents.
The Pest Reject Ultrasonic Repeller can project to around 60Hz, forcing pests to flee from your home. Inaudible to humans it is also safe to use around children and pets and is effective for areas of up to 1200sq ft. So confident are the manufacturers that this product works that they offer a 100% refund guarantee if not effective after 3-4 weeks.
Pros
- Great value for money – sets of 6
- Frequency range of up to 60Hz
- Repels for up to 1200sq ft
- Safe to use around pets
Cons
- Many reviews and reports state that this attracts spiders rather than repels them!
CHECK PRICE At amazon
#4 Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
Best for all levels of infestations
Just like the other ultrasonic repellers, the Neatmaster can be used to target rodents and insects effectively. What is different about this device, however, is that it used ultrasonic and electromagnetic technologies and comes with 3 different modes depending on how chronic the infestation.
The green light indicates that no sound is produced and is good for a light infestation. Purple mode means that sound is audible, but only by a fraction, whereas the red light indicates loud noise being emitted and should only be used on severe infestations. It is advisable to only use the purple and red mode when you and your pets are out of the property.
This plugin will give you coverage of up to 1200 square ft, so you will need to buy more than one if you are targeting different areas of the house. The Neatmaster does come with a lifetime guarantee and a money back policy if you fail to see results after 3 weeks.
Pros
- Good for targeting different types of infestations
- Frequency range of up to 60Hz
- Repels for up to 1200sq ft
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Can only use purple and red settings when property is unoccupied.
Summary
It is important to note, that ultrasonic pest rejects are a short-term deterrent and have not been designed to kill pests in the long-term. Therefore, if you have a chronic infestation, we would advise that you use these devices in conjunction with other proven types of pest control such as traps and pesticides.
