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Do Ultrasonic Devices Work?

Ultrasound is a sonic wavelength that is higher than most humans can hear typically above 20 kHz in frequency. Ultrasound is often touted as a method of effective pest control. But is it? Before I answer that question, readers should understand that ultrasound is just one category within the larger category of sound-based or audible frightening devices. Frightening devices are categorized into visual, audible, visual-audible, and biological sections. Within the audible frightening device categories, sound-based devices can be further broken down into categories of pain-inducing sound, bioacoustics (i.e. sound made by predators that evokes a fear response in an animal), non-biosonic devices (i.e. those that just create an irritating noise), jamming communication (i.e. sounds that prevent animals from sound-based communication) and finally ultrasound. (I wish to credit Bomford, Mary and Peter H. O’Brien. “Sonic Deterrents in Animal Damage Control: A Review of Device Tests and Effectiveness.” Wildlife Society Bulletin 18 (1990): 411-22 for these categories and much of the information on ultrasound being shared here).

Ultrasound is categorized as an audible frightening device. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.
Ultrasound is categorized as an audible frightening device. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

Bomford and O’Brien surveyed the literature on the efficacy of ultrasound to manage pests. Their findings were not heartening. First, they noted that the research showed no effect on insects. Ultrasound did not show any practical effect on birds. But what about animals that are capable of hearing in the ultrasonic range such as bats and rodents? Tests using ultrasound on bats were also inconclusive. But the research on rodents, like rats and mice, did find some effect. But the effect was temporary and only effective for short distances. What was the effect? It was that rodents showed some avoidance of areas where the sound was present. By the way, other studies reviewed by the authors came to more negative results, meaning they didn’t think ultrasound had any practical use for rodent control.

So, in light of this general lack of supporting evidence, why do people still rely on ultrasound as pest control device? I think possible reasons include: 1. The tendency to trust “experts” concerning subjects that are not familiar to us, 2. The wishful desire for ultrasound to work because of its ease of use and the fact it would be silent as far as human ears were concerned, 3. Ultrasound’s low cost and chemical-free solution, and 4. The belief that earlier technology can be superseded by newer technology.

What should you do? I recommend that people save their money. But if you are determined to try ultrasonic devices out, don’t be surprised if your results are less than favorable. If you have positive results, I would love to hear from you.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications along with several books (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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Categories of Frightening Devices

In this post, I want to explain the various types or categories of frightening devices. In a previous blog article https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com/frightening-devices/, I explained that frightening devices are pieces of equipment that attempt to get unwanted wildlife to leave an area through the use of fear. Fear invoking products can only be categorized as a frightening device if it causes fear by non-chemical means. For if chemical means are used, then the product would be a repellent and likely governed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Categories of Frightening Devices

We need categories to organize the frightening devices because there are a lot of frightening devices. Frightening devices are categorized by mode of action, namely how the animal experiences the device. The modes of action are visual, audible, audible-visual, and biological.

Visual Frightening Devices

Visual frightening devices as the name suggests use light to frighten the animals. Visual frightening devices include active lighting products like lasers and strobes as well as passive devices that use sunlight like Mylar tape and mirrors.

Audible Frightening Devices

Ultrasound is categorized as an audible frightening device. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.
Ultrasound is categorized as an audible frightening device. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

Audible frightening devices use sound to frighten animals. These devices use irritating noises like gun shots, distress calls, or predator noises to frighten animals from an area. One challenge with audible frightening devices is that they can irritate neighbors who happen to be in listening range. Ultrasonic devices are included in this section, but be warned most animals cannot hear in the ultrasonic range.

Audible-Visual Frightening Devices

Audible-visual frightening devices combine sound and light to frighten animals. Pyrotechnics such as bird bangers are a classic example of this type of device.

Biological Frightening Devices

Biological frightening devices try to exploit the innate fear animals have of predators. Dogs, hawks, snakes, etc. are examples of biological frightening devices. Since prey species have innate fears of these animals the idea is that the prey species cannot habituate to them.

Bottom line, by being aware of the categories of frightening devices, you can mix and match them. If audible didn’t work, perhaps you should try a visual or a device from another category.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications along with several books (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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Frightening Devices

Frightening devices are pieces of equipment that attempt to get unwanted wildlife to leave an area through the use of fear. Fear invoking product can only be categorized as a frightening device if it causes fear by non-chemical means. For if chemical means are used, then the product would be a repellent and likely governed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The owl effigy is perhaps the most famous and well known frightening device. Photo: Stephen M. Vantassel.
The owl effigy is perhaps the most famous and well known frightening device. Photo: Stephen M. Vantassel.

There are a myriad of products marketed as frightening devices available to consumers. The reason why there are so many is due to their perceived humanness. The device doesn’t “harm” the animals, it only scares them and sends them on their way to another place. Another reason consumers buy them is because they are relatively cheap and easy to use. Just install and the device does all the work. In contrast trapping, requires you to set the trap, bait it, and check it on a regular basis. Then if an animal is caught, you have to “do” something with it, such as kill it, release it, or more likely drive it down the road and dump it so the animal becomes someone else’s problem or dies in an unfamiliar environment.

Frightening devices do work, at least for the short term. This quick effectiveness helps continue the story that they work all the time. Unfortunately, as a general rule, frightening devices only work for a few weeks. After that time, animals quickly learn that the device does not pose a real threat. The ability of animals to become accustomed and ultimately ignore frightening devices is called habituation. Just like we can learn to ignore a persistent noise, animals too can learn that a frightening device is nothing to be frightened of.

How quickly animals learn to ignore a frightening device depends on several factors including, how desirable the site is, the personality of the animal/species, the novelty and/or severity of the frightening device, time of year etc. You may wonder what my opinion is of frightening devices. Well, I have a pretty negative view of them as a rule. Most fail to fulfil client expectations. The one’s that don’t often will irritate the client, neighbors, or are so time intensive or expensive that they are not feasible.

Bottom Line

Understand that frightening devices are an important tool. But be aware of their limitations and don’t allow yourself to be oversold on their use.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications along with several books (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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Owl Effigies Are Cries for Help

Owl effigies are cries for help.
Owl effigies are cries for help.

Owl Effigies are Cries for Help

Oh, the ubiquitous, owl effigy. Such a simple device that is also inexpensive. For about 20 dollars, you can purchase one and place it on a ledge where you are having birds roost and purportedly scare them away. Sounds easy right? What about anecdotal reports of by your aunt three times removed who swears that owl effigies worked for her?

Unfortunately, the truth is a bit more complicated than that. Do owl effigies work? Well it depends on what you mean by “work.” If you mean do they scare birds away for a couple of days. Then yes, owl effigies “work.” But if you mean do they work for long periods of time, then the answer is no. Once birds become accustomed to them (called habituation), by realizing that the owls don’t really pose a threat, then they will just as easily stand there by the “dead” owl.

Thus my point, if you see an owl effigy, understand that the effigy is the client’s way of asking for help. Introduce yourself to the manager and tell him or her that you have a solution to the bird problem. Tell the manager about the value of exclusion be it by spikes, electric shock, netting, building changes, or other tools you can provide. There are effective solutions to human-bird conflicts. But they aren’t magic solutions. Just solutions that work and work over the long term.

If you would like to learn more about bird control why not contact Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. and learn what you can do to control problem birds on your property for the long-term. Let’s stop wasting time and money on owl effigies and other ineffective methods.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications along with several books (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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Intimidator Woodpecker Frightening Device

Intimidator Woodpecker Frightening Device

The Intimidator woodpecker frightening device is a new product produced in 2017. This frightening device uses flashing lights and motion to scare woodpeckers away from sensitive areas. Now flashing light (reflections from the sun) have long been used effectively to frighten woodpeckers. For example, Mylar tape has been used for decades. The shiny tape is cut and fastened to a building so that it not only can blow in the wind (which itself is a frightening action) but also catches the sun causing bursts of reflective flashes.

The difference with the intimidator is that it holds up better to the wind. The use of spinners allow it to easily move with the wind’s action and the shiny reflection allows it to flash the sunlight effectively.

Understand that woodpeckers are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. So shooting or otherwise harming woodpeckers cannot be done without a permit from the United States Fish and Wildlife agency. Most states require additional permits from the state level. I say this not to discourage you but to help readers realize that non-lethal techniques like the Intimidator must be used before the government will give you permission to use lethal control on the woodpecker.

So act quickly and use frightening devices as soon as possible. Should you give the Intimidator a chance? Why not? I understand that many professional wildlife control operators have been impressed with the intimidator’s effectiveness for resolving woodpecker problems for their clients.

I would love to hear your comments.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications along with several books (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.