Recent findings and discoveries about the harmful effects of chemical-based rodenticides to the environment and to human health have made the society more eager to try whatever new chemical-free mouse control product there is that's released in the market. Among these mouse control products are organic rodenticides, mechanical mouse traps, glueboards and of course, electronic pest control device. The later is gaining rapid popularity really, not just because it seems to be like a "modern approach" towards pest control, but also because of its massive commercialization. In fact, starting from the early 1980's up until these days, different electronic pest control devices have become top-sellers. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of these devices in delivering the results that their manufacturers promise has been quite controversial ever since. I'll talk about these electronic devices in this article for your reference.
Electrocution Boxes
The idea behind electrocution boxes for mice has been around since the 1910's when electricity was first used to stop pests from freely roaming around. The first pests to be electrocuted were the flies and the mosquitoes through the very popular 1911 Bug Zapper. The ancient Bug Zapper is the foundation of all electric flytraps and mosquito-traps placed in many gardens and some food-courts today. However, unlike the old Bug Zapper, modern electric flytraps and mosquito traps are so designed to keep the pests contained after they are electrocuted, thus preventing the remains of their zapped bodies from being strewn everywhere. The electrocution boxes intended for mice works just the same; mice are lured into the electrocution box through a narrow passageway decorated with bait food and then inside, an electric shock trigger is strategically covered with bait food too such that the mouse will surely set it off and then die a painful death.
So far, electrocution boxes have been found to be effective in mice control though its cost have prevented its popularity to soar high. Some of these boxes are even designed to be used only once thus, once a mouse is found dead inside it, it has to be disposed along with the mouse. But current innovations from the makers of such boxes are in progress and we can expect that sometime soon, they will be able to release electrocution boxes that are practical to use.
Ultrasonic and Electromagnetic Devices
You might have heard about opera singers breaking wine glasses just though their voices. This phenomenon is actually scientific and is explained by the capability of some opera singers to reach a frequency that can be in resonance to the wine glass causing severe vibration. When the wine glass vibration becomes so pronounced, the glass will eventually crack and then break down.
Sound waves can travel in different frequencies and it has been discovered that humans and animals hear at different frequency levels. For example, a whistle that is used to call dogs does produces a sound that is not audible to the human ear but is loud enough for a dog to hear. Sound waves that travel at very high frequencies are called ultrasonic sound waves. It is through ultrasonic sound waves that bats can traverse through very dark caves without hitting anything.
Manufacturers of ultrasonic devices that are intended for mice claim that ultrasonic sound waves can cause severe irritation to rodent causing seizure and other physical symptoms. These devices are designed to be battery operated so that it can be used outdoors during camp-outs and picnics. However, ultrasonic pest control devices have become really controversial over the past years because of the research conducted by the US Federal Trade Commission (US-FTC) revealing that most of such products are hoaxes.
US-FTC has inspected many of the advertisements and product brochures released by the manufacturers of these devices and found out that they have made false claims about their product. Nonetheless, US-FTC verified that these devices can indeed irritate mice for some time. However, just like some rodenticides, mice can eventually develop immunity to ultrasonic sounds, rendering the device useless in the future.
But the US-FTC also stressed that ultrasonic devices can still be used to repel rodents such as mice, but these should be used in alternate with other options such as using traps and rodenticides in order to make sure that the mice will not develop immunity to it.
Electromagnetic pest control devices are technically the same with an ultrasonic device. The only difference between the two is the nature of how they emit ultrasonic sounds. Electromagnetic devices use the existing electromagnetic fields that are produced by the wirings used in the house. The electromagnetic field intensity is randomly changed so as to vary the frequency levels of the ultrasonic sound around the area where the device is placed.
Ionic Pest Control Devices
You might have seen it in some movies or in the National Geographic Channel once -- animals notices a lighting storm even before the first lighting strikes. The reason behind this is the sensitivity of animals to the change of negative ions that are present in the atmosphere. When negative ions increase in number, a lightning will definitely strike because rain clouds are mostly positive ions. In the process, the air caught in the lighting strike is purified because of the ionic changes; this is the reason why ionic devices are also used in some air conditioning units.
Ionic pest control devices, on the other hand, manipulate its surrounding atmosphere to stimulate an increase in the number of negative ions in it. Such a device benefits its user in two ways, (1) it purifies air and (2) it repels pest. However, the effectiveness of ionic pest control devices in still subject to a lot of researches before it can be declared true.
The Future Deal
No one can really make a definitive statement as to how long it would take before the use of electronic devices in pest mouse control becomes widespread because of its proven efficacy. But one thing is for sure, the technologies used in the development of these devices will eventually be refined and the outcome would be an entire array of effective devices which will put an end to mankind's dependence to chemicals in handling pests.
But as of the time being, I suggest that you just settle for the more conventional types of pest control devices such as the traditional mouse traps, along with the other mouse trapping tricks discussed in some of my earlier posts. If your problem with mice infestation is real and is already threatening your health security, then there is no reason for you to experiment about the kinds of other methods that work. Stick to what you already know that works best, else you might end up in regret.
Moreover, if you think that the problem is beyond your control, do not hesitate to contact a professional pest mouse exterminator at once. Of course, hiring a professional exterminator does mean that you will have to spend some cash to pay for their services, but rest assured that when you prolong the infestation of mice in your house without seeking for a professional help, there is a greater possibility that the mice will force you to spend more money for your health and for the damages that have done in your property.
All the best,
Sergiu Zburatoru
