If you’re like the average homeowner, you may have wondered “does electronic mouse control work?” Using electronic pest control devices has become a popular method among homeowners looking to solve mouse problems. Companies selling these devices claim that ultrasonic repellents are a safe and effective way to safeguard your home against insects and rodents, but there is little evidence to support their efficacy. Ridding your home of pests at the push of a button is wonderful in theory, but unfortunately, these little gadgets are simply too good to be true.
Electronic Mouse Control Does Not Work
The theory behind electronic repellents is that they emit sonic or ultrasonic waves, producing an unpleasant, high-pitched frequency that will drive pests
away from your home. No study has ever definitively proven these deterrents to be effective, and agencies like the Illinois Department of Public Health warn against using them to eliminate and prevent infestations. While mice are easily alarmed by noises that are foreign to them, they are also very adaptable and adjust to sounds quickly. Electronic repellents are also acoustically unreliable, and their sound waves are easily inhibited by obstructions like walls or furniture.
Effective Mouse Prevention
Sometimes the most effective means of dealing with an issue is to depend upon the old tried-and-true methods. Like all creatures, mice want to live someplace safe with ample nourishment, and they are attracted to the smell of food. Clean your kitchen and food storage areas frequently and thoroughly, and seal your dry foods in plastic, glass, or metal containers. This includes pet food. If you keep bird feeders on your property, it may be helpful to remove them so mice aren’t enticed by the seeds. If you’ve already encountered mice in your home, call a company that specializes in pest removal.
ABC Wildlife’s nuisance wildlife technicians face mouse infestations on a daily basis. They have the experience to identify rodent access points and nesting areas, suggest a treatment program designed specifically to eliminate the current population in your house, and seal off any gaps mice may use as an entryway in the future. A good mouse treatment program will also include regularly scheduled visits to monitor pest activity. A technician should visit your property every couple of months to ensure the pest control regimen is working properly. When facing a rodent problem, don’t spend your money on electronic mouse control devices that won’t work. Count on a licensed, qualified pest expert to partner with you to solve the situation in the most practical, efficient manner possible.
Vito Brancato is a wildlife specialist and educator with over 15 years of animal and pest management experience. He is a certified Wildlife Control Operator through the National Wildlife Control Operators Association and belongs to the National Pest Management Association and the Illinois Pest Control Association. He is an avid beekeeper and nature enthusiast.
