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Ultrasound

© Stephen Vantassel

Now that it is the middle of winter, many people are hearing noises or seeing damage caused by house mice and other critters looking for a warm place to live. Since many people have phobias about dealing with traps and other concerns related to using toxicants, many find themselves drawn to the use of ultrasonics. After all aren't those commercials neat? Plug in this cool looking device and Voila! All your mouse and pest problems run away from the noise.

Well it certainly sounds great. Unfortunately, for most sound too good to be true techniques in wildlife damage management, it is. While some manufacturers claim that internal research has shown these products to be effective (relatively speaking), the problem comes down to when these products are used in real world situations and undergo rigorous scientific testing. Don't take my word for it. Just look at the publications I have listed below. These articles contain research on ultrasonics and they invariably conclude that they don't work.

Here are several references that show that ultrasound devices are not effective in controlling rodents.

Sprock, C.M., W.E. Howard, and F.C Jacob. 1967. Sound as a deterrent to rats and mice. Journal of Wildlife Management Manage. 33194)724-736. Available at http://www.wildlife.org

Howard, W.E., and R.E. Marsh. 1982. Ultrasonics and electromagnetic control of rodents. Third Intern. Theriological Congress, 15-20 August 1982, Helsinki, abstract.

Howard, W.E., and R.E. Marsh.1985. Ultrasonics and electromagnetic control of rodents. Acta Zool. Fennica 173:187-189.

Dr. Howard says, "EPA funded our electromagnetic study and we worked with EPA to help the Federal Trade Commission try to ban ultrasonics. I think we demonstrated that the success of a rodent control program with ultrasonics was just as successful if the units were not turned on. Unfortunately, since the devices do not harm people the Federal Trade Commission could only prosecute sellers of the devices if they made false claims.

Rex Marsh and I had an experiment all ready to go with wild rats to show that we could easily condition them to come to the location of an ultrasonic device for food whenever they heard the device. To our disappointment the FTC were not able to fund us."

Of course, new research may show that these devices have a place. If you come across some please let me know. I will certainly keep an eye out for it. Until then, spend the money elsewhere.