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Do Ultrasonic Rat Repellents Actually Work? I Tested 6 Best Sellers
Do Ultrasonic Rat Repellents Actually Work? I Tested 6 Best Sellers
Writtten and Edited by: Benjamin White
January 12, 2025
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If you’re here, chances are you’ve dealt with a rat problem — or at least the idea of one. And if you’re anything like me, you probably hate traditional traps. They’re hard to set, can be dangerous, and once a rat is caught… yeah, it’s not something you want to deal with.
That’s why ultrasonic rat repellents sound so appealing. Just plug them in and supposedly the rats leave on their own — no traps, no poison, no cleanup.
But the real question is:
Do these things actually work… or are they just a scam?
I bought six of the best-selling rodent repellents on Amazon and put them through real-world testing with live mice to find out.
If you would like to see the video of me testing these rodent repellers watch at this link:
What Is an Ultrasonic Repellent?
If you’ve never heard of ultrasonic repellents before, here’s the simple explanation.
These devices plug into a wall outlet and emit high-frequency sound waves that humans can’t hear, but rodents can. The manufacturers claim these sounds disrupt the rodents’ nervous systems and make the environment uncomfortable — encouraging them to leave.
On paper, it sounds perfect.
So I put those claims to the test.
The Products Tested
OWLTRA Ultrasonic Rodent Repellers — $24.69
Sold as a 4-pack meant to cover multiple rooms. OWLTRA claims these are poison-free, silent to humans and pets, non-toxic, and emit ultrasonic waves that drive rodents away. There’s also a built-in light indicator to show they’re working.
Haycone High Power Frequency Pest Repeller — $29.99
Marketed as effective against mice, insects, bed bugs, roaches, spiders, and more. It claims to use high-frequency sound waves, is chemical-free, eco-friendly, and safe for humans and pets.
Mighty Mint Rodent Repellent Spray — $21.98
Unlike the others, this is a plant-based peppermint oil spray, not an electronic device. It’s designed for homes, cars, and gardens, and is marketed as safe around people and pets (though kept away from children). This one relies on scent instead of sound.
PIMAG Electronic Pest Repeller — $29.99
Uses ultrasonic waves said to stimulate the brain and nervous system of pests. It has a built-in light and produces a faint buzzing sound. Claims coverage up to 1,600 sq ft and is harmless to humans and pets.
Xmuniha Ultrasonic Rodent Repeller — $49.99
Offers three modes (Day, Night, Auto with motion sensor), nine LED strobe lights, no chemicals, pet safe, and coverage up to 1,290 sq ft. Combines sound and flashing lights to scare rodents away.
Borhood Ultrasonic Rodent Deterrent — $54.99
Designed for cars but usable elsewhere. Uses changing ultrasonic frequencies plus bright flashing lights. Can run on AA batteries, DC power, or directly from a car battery. Also claims to be pet safe.
Test 1: Initial Reaction Test
Goal:
See how mice react when each repellent is introduced into their environment.
I placed two mice in a controlled enclosure and introduced each repellent one at a time, observing behavior.
Key Observations
- Most ultrasonic devices caused little to no avoidance behavior
- In some cases, mice actually moved toward the devices
- Only the peppermint spray showed consistent avoidance
INITIAL REACTION TEST RESULTS
| Product | Mouse Behavior Observed | Repellent Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Xmuniha Ultrasonic Repeller | Mice moved toward device, climbed on it, normal behavior | ❌No deterrent |
| Mighty Mint Spray | Mice avoided sprayed side of enclosure | ✅ Effective |
| Haycone Pest Repeller | Normal roaming, occasional jumping | ❌No deterrent |
| PIMAG Pest Repeller | Brief jumping, then normal behavior | ❌No deterrent |
| Borhood Rodent Deterrent | Mice attempted to climb up side where device was mounted | ❌ No deterrent |
| OWLTRA Ultrasonic Repellers | Mice gathered near device and attempted to climb toward it | ❌ No deterrent |
Test 1 Takeaway
None of the ultrasonic repellents caused the mice to consistently avoid the area.
The only product that changed behavior was the Mighty Mint peppermint spray.
Test 2: Bait Resistance Test
Goal:
Determine whether repellents still work when food is present — because in real life, rodents follow food.
I placed sunflower seeds near each device and observed whether mice would still approach and eat.
| Product | Reaction to Bait | Repellent Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Borhood Rodent Deterrent | Mice ate bait directly under device | ❌No deterrent |
| OWLTRA Ultrasonic Repellers | Mice ate bait normally | ❌ No deterrent |
| Haycone Pest Repeller | Mice ate bait directly under device | ❌ No deterrent |
| PIMAG Pest Repeller | Brief avoidance, then ate bait under device | ❌ No deterrent |
| Xmuniha Ultrasonic Repeller | Mice climbed onto device and ate bait | ❌ No deterrent |
| Mighty Mint Spray | Mice avoided bait and sprayed area | ✅ Effective |
Test 2 Takeaway
Every ultrasonic device failed once food was introduced.
Mice ate bait directly under — or even on top of — the devices.
Once again, the Mighty Mint peppermint spray was the only product that consistently kept mice away.
Test 3: Pet Safety Check
Goal:
Verify whether these repellents bothered household pets.
I ran the devices near a dog (Axel) and observed behavior.
Result:
No visible reaction. Axel remained calm and eventually fell asleep.
Test 3 Takeaway
All tested products appeared safe around pets in this observation.
Final Verdict: Are Ultrasonic Rat Repellents a Scam?
Based on real-world testing:
The ultrasonic repellent devices did not repel mice.
In some cases, they actually seemed to attract them.
The only product that consistently showed real deterrent behavior was:
🟢 Mighty Mint Rodent Repellent Spray
The peppermint scent caused mice to avoid treated areas — even when bait was present. In a larger space, this effect would likely be even stronger.
Which One Should You Buy?
If you’re considering ultrasonic plug-in repellents:
Based on this test, they did not work as advertised.
If you want a non-toxic, pet-safe option that actually showed results:
👉 Mighty Mint Rodent Repellent Spray
If you’re looking to save money, the E Bossom inflator offers strong performance for the price. It placed second in both the speed and battery tests and includes a DC power cord, allowing it to be plugged directly into your car if the battery dies — a great backup feature.
Final Thoughts
Ultrasonic rodent repellents sound great in theory — but in practice, they didn’t deliver. Peppermint-based deterrents, however, showed real promise.
If you’re dealing with rodents and want a solution that doesn’t involve traps or poison, natural scent-based repellents appear to be the better direction.
