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Ultrasonic Rodent Repeller Test: Do These Devices Really Work?
Ultrasonic Rodent Repeller Test: Do These Devices Really Work?
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 an ultrasonic rodent repeller sounds 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 ultrasonic pest repellers 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 ultrasonic mouse repellers watch at this link:
What Is an Ultrasonic Rodent Repeller?
If you’ve never heard of ultrasonic mouse repellers before, here’s the simple explanation. These devices plug into a wall outlet and emit ultrasonic sound waves. These are high-frequency sound waves that humans can’t hear, but rodents can. Manufacturers claim these sounds disrupt 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
I selected some of the best-selling ultrasonic rodent repellers currently available to see whether they actually keep rodents away. For this test, I used the following products:
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 a device designed to repel rodents as well as 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 non rodent 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 sound 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
The Xmuniha ultrasonic rodent repeller offers three modes (Day, Night, Auto with motion sensor), nine LED strobe lights, chemical-free operation, pet safety, and coverage of up to 1,290 sq ft. It 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 safe for use around humans and non rodent pets.
How We Tested
To evaluate performance, each ultrasonic rodent repeller was tested under the same controlled conditions to observe how rodents reacted to the ultrasonic sound waves. The first step was to measure the rodents’ immediate response after the device was turned on. Let’s see how they responded.
Test 1: Initial Reaction Test
This test measured how mice reacted when each ultrasonic rodent repeller was introduced into their environment. I placed two mice in a controlled enclosure and introduced each repellent one at a time while observing their behavior and movement patterns.
Key Observations
Most ultrasonic pest 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
During initial exposure, most ultrasonic pest repellers did not produce noticeable avoidance behavior. Mice generally continued normal movement, and in some cases were attracted to or interacted with the devices. The peppermint spray was the only product that showed consistent repellent effect, with mice actively avoiding the treated area.
| 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 pest 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
In real life, rodents follow food. This test will help us determine whether the ultrasonic pest repellers will repel rodents when food is present. 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 pest repeller 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
In this test, we checked whether these ultrasonic pest repellers affect household pets, including dogs and other non-rodent pets. I ran the devices near a dog named Axel and carefully observed his behavior to see if the high-frequency sound waves caused any discomfort or noticeable reactions. Axel remained calm throughout the test and eventually fell asleep.
Test 3 Takeaway
All tested products appeared safe around pets in this observation. Household pets, including dogs and non-rodent pets, seemed completely unaffected by the high frequency sound waves, remaining calm throughout the test.
Final Verdict: Are Ultrasonic Rat Repellents a Scam?
Are ultrasonic pest repellers effective? Based on real-world testing, most plug-in devices did not repel mice, and in some cases even seemed to attract them. The only product that consistently showed a real deterrent effect was:
🟢 Mighty Mint Rodent Repellent Spray
Its 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
Final Thoughts
Ultrasonic mouse repellers sound appealing, but in real-world testing, most did not work as advertised. If you’re dealing with rodents and want a solution that doesn’t involve traps or poison, peppermint-based sprays like Mighty Mint Rodent Repellent Spray showed consistent results and offer a safe, non-toxic option for households with pets.
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