Electronic Roach Repellent

Cockroaches are difficult to get rid of once they infest a home. Makers of electronic repellents claim that ultrasonic sound waves that only insects can hear drive roaches away. However, the devices have not proved to be effective.

Speculation

• Different manufacturers make different claims on just how an electronic pest device could chase away pests like roaches or rodents. Some claim they make extremely high-pitched ultrasonic sound waves too painful for a pest to tolerate.

Results

• Electronic ultrasound repellents failed to work on German cockroaches, according to the 2006 study "Lack of repellency in three commercial ultrasonic devices to the German cockroach," which was conducted by researchers at Louisiana State and Kansas State universities.

Legality

• The U.S. Federal Trade Commission routinely receives complaints of electronic ultrasonic pest repellents failing to work. The FTC has sued six companies for false advertising and sent warning letters to remaining manufacturers in 2001.