Electronic Pest Control Review - Does It Work?

There is growing awareness among the general public that the indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides to control indoor and outdoor pests was having a harmful effect on the environment and on human health. The technology of electronic pest control devices was first introduced in the 1980s and has been touted to be a safe alternative to chemical pesticides. ?

Does electronic pest control work is a question that has been frequently raised in the last few years.

This article takes a look at the various types of electronic devices for pest control and the questions regarding their effectiveness.

Early Electronic Pest Control Device - the Bug Zapper
An instance of an electronic device for pest control can be found as far back as 1911 when the first "Bug Zapper" was introduced in the US to control flying insects. It was called an "electric death trap" mainly targeting flies.

It had a combined bait and electric wire apparatus. Some food item was used as bait. There was also a lamp within the device which would also attract flies.

When a fly was attracted to the food used as bait, the wires would release a current of 450 Volts, and instantly electrocute the flying insect.

Studies have shown that electronic devices for pest control such as the Bug Zapper may spread insect parts into the air around it, when an insect is electrocuted. It was advised by regulatory authorities that the insect parts should be contained within the device.

Types of Electronic Pest Control Devices Available Today
Far more sophisticated electronic devices for pest control have appeared on the market as compared to the basic Bug Zapper. The types of electronic pest control devices are:

• Ultrasonic
• Electromagnetic
• Ionic

Ultrasonic Devices for Outdoor Electronic Pest Control
Ultrasonic refers to sound wave frequencies, which are higher than frequencies audible to the human ear. Ultrasonic sound frequencies are used by bats for communication.

The same ultrasonic sound waves can be used to irritate some pests so that they stay away. An ultrasonic wave mimicking a bat communication signal can also scare away some flying insects.

Primarily used as an outdoor electronic pest control device, pests such as rodents can be repelled by the ultrasonic sound emitted by the electronic pest control devices. Rats and rabbits are said to experience seizure like symptoms when exposed to ultrasonic sound. An ultrasonic rat repellent works based on this response of rats to high frequency sounds.

This device can also be used in other instances of outdoor electronic pest control such as in repelling moths and insects. Some ultrasonic sound frequencies mimic sound emitted by predators of these insects such as bats. Therefore moths and other flying insects may fly away from the vicinity of such sound.

Electromagnetic Pest Control Devices
Electromagnetic pest control devices use household wiring to emit frequencies which repel insects and rodents. The existing electromagnetic fields emanating from household wiring is changed by these electronic pest control devices.

Household pests such as rodents and cockroaches react negatively to such electromagnetic changes and try to keep away from the area. The electromagnetic field is changed at consistent intervals so that the pests do not get used to the sound. It has also been found that rats reduced their food intake when exposed to electromagnetic pest control devices.

Ionic Pest Control Devices
The period before a lightning storm is one of fear for insects and animals. Negative ions are released in the atmosphere leading up to lightning. An ionic pest control device seeks to simulate such atmosphere by using negative ions which scare away the pests.

Ionic devices have been used in air conditioners to purify the air. Electronic pest control techniques such as ionic devices have a double benefit in that they help to keep the air clean as well as repel pests.

Electronic Pest Control Review - Does Electronic Pest Control Work?
Questions have been raised about the effectiveness of electronic pest control products. Does electronic pest control work as is claimed by the numerous companies offering such devices?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a regulatory body in the US overseeing consumer interests, took to task several manufacturers of electronic devices for pest control and those selling such products in 2001.

In its electronic pest control review of ultrasonic devices, the FTC demanded from manufacturers that the claims that such devices effectively repel pests must be supported by scientific evidence and studies.

The FTC conducted an electronic pest control review of various brochures, catalogues and websites of sellers of such products. In its review, it found that many of the claims in the advertisements may be false and misleading, and may be a violation of the FTC Act. The main claims challenged by the FTC were that these electronic devices for pest control repelled insects, ended rat infestation and were an effective alternative to chemical pesticides.

Several studies have been conducted on the question of does electronic pest control work. It has found by researchers that while the use of an electronic device for pest control definitely results in lower number of pests such as flying insects in the area, the effectiveness of such devices may be equal to the use of chemical pesticides.

It has also been found just as pests develop immunity to chemical pesticides so that after a time, it doesn't have any effect on them, rats also get used to ultrasonic pest control devices. The effect of ultrasonic and electromagnetic pest control devices wears off after a time after the sound no longer disturbs the rodent population.

In fact, pest control professionals recommend that electronic pest control devices and standard pesticides whether chemical or organic can be used in conjunction as an effective pest control strategy.