Electronic devices may not be enough to keep ants out of your home.
Ants can invade a home by the thousands, particularly in the warmer months, leaving disgusting ant trails and getting into your food. Numerous methods are available for repelling or killing ants, most of which involve poisonous chemicals that may be harmful to your children, your pets or even yourself. As such, you may wish to consider an electronic ant repellent, but be warned that these have come under criticism from researchers.
Basics
Electronic ant repellents are typically small devices that can be plugged into a power outlet in your home, or battery operated for portable or outdoor use. These devices emit powerful sound frequencies that manufacturers claim drives ants and other insects, as well as mice and rats, away from your home.
Methods
The method by which the sound frequencies work varies according to various manufacturers. Some claim that the high-pitched frequencies cause physical pain to the sensitive ears of the ants while others claim the devices mimic the sounds given off by natural ant predators such as larger insects, keeping them away.
Controversy
No scientific evidence exists to suggest that electronic sound emitters are effective at repelling ants or any other insects for that matter, nor do they do anything to reduce the number of insects in a given area, according to various sources such as the North Carolina Cooperative Extension. However, many of these products remain for sale and even offer positive customer testimonials.
Alternative
As an alternative to using an ultrasonic electronic repellent that may be ineffective, an ant problem is typically alleviated by finding and disposing of a colony. Follow ant trails in your home to find entrance points and caulk seams in wood or windows. You can also use Borax, which can be found in many laundry detergents, as en effective poison for ants that is relatively harmless to people or pets in small doses.
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