Do mice repellent devices and sprays work?

• Ultrasonic mice repellent devices are marketed as alternative to poisons and traps

• Buyers believe mouse repellent sprays will deter mice in the home

• Research indicates mouse repellent devices have little long term effect

• SUPERPROOF expert advises mouse proofing is only way to remove mice

People who want to get rid of mice can now buy a range of ultrasonic mouse repellent devices and electronic mice repellent equipment, as well as mice repellent sprays, which claim to deter and get rid of mice.

But do any of these mice repellent products work? What is the evidence that they have any effect on mice infestations in homes? And are they worth the money, given that some can cost up to £50?

Mouse repellent devices claim to use two main technologies to deter mice. These are ultrasonic – or “sonic” – mice repellent systems, and electro-magnetic – or “EM” – mice repellent systems.

Mice repellent systems

In many cases, you can buy mice repellent devices that claim to offer both mouse deterrence methods in one device. Both claim to be safe, effective, and non-invasive electronic mice deterrent devices that allow you to keep mice out of living space without having to kill them.

Sonic mice repellent devices claim to work by sending out ultrasonic signals, too high pitched for humans, but which sound like a fire alarm to mice. Because of this they are scared away.

EM mice repellent devices claim to do much the same thing, disrupting mice senses, and making them feel uncomfortable in the environment in which the rodent repellent equipment is placed, so they scurry away.

Mice repellent sprays claim to use different chemicals that mice do not like, and so try to avoid. In doing so, they leave areas where sprays are administered. Some of these mouse repellent substances are incorporated in a rodent repellent foam, which aims to block entry mouse entry points, and so have two ways mice can no longer get into your living space.

But do ultrasonic mice repellent devices or sprays work?

SUPERPROOF says: “There is no evidence that mouse repellent devices have significant effect on mice infestations in the home. This is important, because when people see mice, it often means mice a relatively well entrenched.

“One study into mice repellent products, carried out by a university in the USA concluded that there was little scientific evidence to show the devices were effective, and that money could be better spent on other forms of mouse control, including mouse proofing.”

There are a number of reasons people with mice in the house should question the efficacy of mice repellent products.

 

One is that mice are very adaptable creatures. It is a key trait to support their survival, and success, living in human environments. This means that research shows mice may be affected briefly by plug-in sonic mice repellent devices, but they quickly recover, and learn to ignore them.

The disrupting effect of such ultrasonic electronic mouse repellent equipment may last hours or, at most, a few days, then mice settle down and get used to whatever noise the ultrasonic device is pumping out. The same is true for the electro-magnetic mouse deterrence device. The impact is limited.

Another reason is that mice live in the walls, floors, and ceilings of properties, so are protected from the sonic beams emitted by mice repellent devices. They only come out to feed, and can find alterative routes to their sources of food.

Mice repellents - severe limitations

Research has shown that mice repellent devices could only work if the ultrasonic signal is so powerful that it would damage humans and other animals (such as pets). Commercial ultrasonic mouse control devices cannot emit such intense sound. Thankfully, for all of us.

SUPERPROOF says: “Much the same applies to mice repellent sprays. As which the old wives’ tale of using peppermint to deter mice, there is little evidence, in reality, that such mice deterrence spays work. All you end up with is a gooey foam all over fixtures and fittings that attracts dirt.”

Common sense should also tell you that mice repellent sprays must have severe limitations. You can only spray a relatively small area of a property, giving mice plenty of opportunity, if they wish, to skirt around the affected area, and carry on enjoying human hospitality.

The expert view on mouse proofing

SUPERPROOF says: “We have helped hundreds of customers who have tried using these repellent sprays and devices, along with many other ways to try to get rid of mice, which haven’t worked. Eventually, they realise they need a comprehensive mouse control solution, and that is only provided by mouse proofing, as long as it’s done properly.”

SUPERPROOF mouse proofing involves protecting human living space by using specialist materials and techniques to block every potential entry point for mice into human living space. This means they can no longer reach the food they need to sustain themselves, and have to leave the property to find a more sustainable and mouse-friendly place to live.

“We have proved time and time again, that where traditional mouse control methods, like poisons, traps, and mice repellent products, fail to work, our advanced form of mouse proofing does remove mice from homes and commercial premises,” says SUPERPROOF

Also, unlike ultrasonic mice repellent devices, SUPERPROOF provides a certified guarantee that there will be no more mice, for at least 6 months. If mice return, more mouse proofing will be carried out to stop mice getting in, creating an effective and long-term solution to mice infestation.