Despite the popular belief that rodents can only squeak, screaming in a moment of pain, they are quite talkative creatures. Only they communicate mainly at frequencies inaccessible to the human ear.
This discovery is interesting not only for scientific purposes, but also has practical applications. Having understood what mice are afraid of and what signal they give, you can get rid of them by applying the knowledge gained without harming the animals.
Ultrasound in the life of rodents
Communication in this range is not a whim for animals, but a necessity. They can transmit alarm signals, exchange information, call their cubs, without fear of being heard by natural enemies.
Males, in the process of courting individuals of the opposite sex, perform real vocalizations in the ultrasonic range. Moreover, the older the animal, the larger set of sounds it uses. If a newly born mouse is capable of giving only a few signals, then an adult mouse reproduces more than two thousand.
When they chirp
Typically, crickets begin making sounds after sunset. It is in complete darkness that these musicians leave their hiding places. In nature, where crickets are not negatively affected by human activity, it is not a problem to hear these insects even during the day. Day and night they can also be heard during the mating season. Silencing this “musician” is quite simple; just get close to him at a certain distance. Sensing danger, the cricket will immediately hide in its hole.
Interesting fact! At night, crickets feel safe, which is why they make sounds mainly after sunset.
The structural features of the acoustic apparatus of grasshoppers do not allow them to make sounds at night. As soon as dew begins to fall, the wet organ cannot make sounds. Therefore, grasshoppers chirp exclusively during the day.
The Japanese simply adore these little “musicians”, so many breed them at home to enjoy this melody all the time.
Which frequency ultrasounds are best at repelling rats and mice?
Observations of animals in laboratory conditions showed interesting results:
- It has been noted that different species of rodents emit repellent ultrasounds at different frequencies. For example, when a rat detects danger, it emits a signal within the range of 32–33 kHz, and when experiencing painful sensations – 25–28 kHz. Mice prefer higher ranges, sometimes reaching 96 kHz. That is, it is impossible to scare off all rodents at once with the same ultrasound.
- Rodents learn quickly. If at first mice are afraid of a certain frequency, then, not detecting a risk to life, they gradually get used to it and stop reacting.
Repeller
How to scare away rodents using sound?
This is not to say that animals are only afraid of high frequencies. There are many other things that worry them.
Enemies of rodents try to behave very quietly before attacking. Therefore, the rustle, the sound that the wings of a bird of prey make, scares away mice no less effectively. It is pointless to use this to get rid of harmful animals, since in this case they tend to hide in minks.
Shouting, unexpectedly playing loud music, and unfamiliar sounds also scare away rats. True, this does not last long, since, having understood what is happening, they begin to treat them indifferently.
Attention! On an instinctive level, rats and mice tend to stay away from the place where the death cries of their relatives are heard.
To scare rodents away from home, it is most effective to use ultrasound, since it is not perceived by the human ear and does not cause additional inconvenience. Moreover, there is now a large selection of models on the market in different price categories.
On the line of battle - spices and seasonings
Fighting mice with folk remedies is quite effective and safe. In addition, it brings certain results: if it does not destroy, it certainly repels pests. Among such means, spices and herbs occupy not the least place. They have a strong aroma (no worse than chemical protection), which rodents avoid.
The smell of coriander or cilantro causes the strongest dislike of mice. All you need to do is place cilantro seeds or powder in your kitchen cabinets and mice will stop eating your home food supplies. Sprinkle the powder in those places that furry pests visit most often.
Synthetic flavorings also help a lot in the fight against rodents. They can be bought in specialized stores or ordered online. For us they have a pleasant aroma, but for “furry guests” they do not. Their cost is more expensive than coriander, and the effect is quite strong.
Can you use a computer or phone to repel rodents?
On the Internet, when asked “sounds that repel mice,” the search engine returns many sites offering to download audio files. And nowhere is it mentioned that the speakers of modern phones and computer speakers are not designed to reproduce ultrasound.
Attention! Speakers were made for humans, and they cannot reproduce high frequencies correctly.
It’s also good if, when downloading, a person receives a dummy or an unpleasant sound. There is a high risk of infecting your phone or laptop with a virus.
Types of rat and mouse repellers
The variety of models and wide price range for mouse and rat repellers causes confusion for many people. The choice falls on the model that the sales consultant recommends. At the same time, all the nuances of operation and types of rodents are not always taken into account. Hence the ineffectiveness of use. Money wasted.
To choose the most suitable device, you need to know that they are divided by type of impact:
- to ultrasonic;
- to electromagnetic;
- to combined ones.
Depending on the power source, they can be connected to the mains, battery-powered, solar-powered, or combined.
Ultrasonic devices
Such models are more suitable for open spaces and rooms without partitions, since any obstacle dampens sound waves, and the mouse and rat repeller will work idle.
Ultrasonic device
Equipment configured to emit ultrasound at 20–70 kHz will make the animals nervous and quickly look for another shelter, but humans cannot hear the vibrations emitted by the device.
Adaptation of rodents to an irritating factor can be avoided if the generator allows you to change the frequency of the sound.
The device that drives away rats and mice is placed in the center of the room on a raised platform and left to work for a day. After a 12-hour break they turn it on again. With this repeller mode, the rodents disappear in 2–3 weeks.
Electromagnetic devices
These devices induce magnetic pulses that change the natural electromagnetic background in a limited area. Animals react very sensitively to such things and begin to panic. In the first days of operation of the repeller, rodents become more active, but after a week they begin to leave in search of a more favorable place to live.
The repeller can be attached to the wall. Any metal object nearby will contribute to the propagation of electromagnetic waves.
Combination devices
Combined rat and mouse repellers combine the advantages of ultrasonic and electromagnetic devices. By creating two negative factors for animals at once, they are guaranteed to force rodents to leave the premises. The only disadvantage of these devices is their higher price.
What sounds does a cricket make?
The sounds of crickets are far from monotonous. If the insect is angry at the presence of a rival, it emits a sharp, loud chirping sound. The closer the opponent, the louder the sound.
The mating song is completely different - it is quiet and melodic, turning into trills. If his chosen one is nearby, he sings to her and at the same time gently taps his antennae on her body. The mating song consists of several types of sounds - ringing chirping, crackling and buzzing. Accompanying the sounds is a mating dance.
What to look for when choosing?
To get rid of mice and rats forever, when choosing a repeller, you need to take into account all the important factors that affect the effectiveness of its operation. Before buying, you need to answer yourself a few questions:
- Where will the equipment be used? An electromagnetic device is more suitable for home use. Ultrasonic can be used in one room or cellar. But it works well in the area if trees and bushes do not interfere with the passage of the sound wave. Universal repellers can be used both indoors and outdoors. Particular attention should be paid to the range of action. If the room is larger than the device declared in the passport, you will have to buy several pieces.
- Will there be people in the house while the repeller is operating? At a sound pressure of 110–130 dB, the animals are more likely to leave the inhabited territory, but humans will also feel uncomfortable.
- Are there outlets everywhere to connect to the electrical grid? If you have to pull an extension cord, then perhaps devices with an autonomous type of power supply will be more convenient.
Smells that mice try to avoid
If the premises are not residential (garage, barn, warehouse) or left for a long time, then removing mice from the house is a matter of technique. Like people, they have unpleasant odors:
- burnt rubber,
- burnt wool or fluff,
- kerosene,
- naphthalene,
- cheap Soviet-made perfumes.
In a residential apartment, such “aromas” will harm their inhabitants: harmful combustion decay products will enter the body. But if you enter your home every now and then, you can create a toxic atmosphere.
Important: When setting fire, to avoid poisoning, use gloves and a respirator. Do everything quickly, closing doors and windows. You can enter the room a few days after thorough ventilation.
There are smells that mice love and that can be used to lure them into a trap. For example, they are attracted to the smell of beer. The bottle needs to be placed at an angle and the neck needs to be “paved a path”. At night they will come for a beer, and in the morning you will find them in a bottle. Of course, not all at once, but several individuals will be caught. They will slide down the slippery neck and will not be able to get out. It's not as scary as glue, poison, mousetraps and other terrible devices.
Why do ultrasonic devices sometimes not work?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to check the parameters of the repeller declared by the manufacturer without special instruments. Therefore, a lot of fakes have appeared on the market. The low price compared to similar models from other companies should cause caution.
In addition, the incorrectly defined coverage area of the equipment plays a role. It should be slightly larger than the area of the house.
Mouse
An incorrectly chosen location for the repeller can make the purchase pointless. Any obstacle will interfere with the passage of sound waves. Sometimes the way out of the situation is to purchase several, less powerful devices.
Is ultrasound safe for humans and pets?
Although the human ear cannot detect high-frequency sounds, powerful devices can lead to headaches and poor health. Therefore, it is not recommended to install them in rooms where people are constantly present.
Hamsters and guinea pigs hear ultrasound very well, so they need to be relocated while the equipment is operating. Cats and dogs are also susceptible to the negative influences emanating from the repeller. Observing the behavior of animals will tell you whether it is worth turning on the device in their presence.
Ultrasound against mosquitoes
In their life activities, blood-sucking creatures are guided by a keen sense of smell and ultrasound. Insects detect infrared rays, the smell of carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and sweat. They are able to determine the location of a potential victim from a distance of several tens of meters.
The sound from mosquitoes, according to manufacturers, is of a certain frequency. The human ear cannot detect it, but insects hear well. What frequency it should be, studies were carried out, as a result of which a value of 4 kHz - 6 kHz was revealed.
On a note!
Manufacturers claim that the mosquito-repellent sound imitates the flight of a dragonfly. However, the predator, by flapping its wings, creates ultrasound at a frequency of 20 kHz, which contradicts the information indicated on the device. If mosquitoes heard the approach of a dragonfly so clearly, they would not become victims of a predator and would have time to move to a safe distance.
