Ultrasonic mosquito repellents: a review of popular models

Every year, with the arrival of summer, in addition to the pleasant hassle, comes the problem of pesky mosquitoes. Supermarket shelves fill with new mosquito repellents. The insects adapt, and the remedy that was a panacea last season suddenly stops working. What's left to do then? Perhaps we should turn to physics instead of chemistry? Modern inventions—ultrasonic repellents—have been created to save humanity from this mosquito scourge.

Ultrasonic Mosquito Repellers: How They Work

Ultrasonic repellents operate by generating a sound at a specific frequency. Technically, this device is a generator of various sound frequencies. The sound imitates the buzzing of male mosquitoes. It acts as an irritant to females during the breeding season. As is well known, female mosquitoes are the ones who prefer to attach themselves to human skin. They need food to reproduce.

It is advisable to install the device in such a way that there are no obstacles in the path of sound waves.Such devices can operate either on batteries or from the mains via an adapter.

The advantages of ultrasonic repellers are as follows:

• safety and hypoallergenic (no smell, no chemicals);
• ease of use (the device is easy to turn on, no need to replace any additional components);
• cost-effectiveness (batteries for a season will cost less than numerous bottles and tubes of anti-mosquito ointments and aerosols);
• warranty period for the devices (an ultrasonic repeller is a piece of equipment that is certified and subject to repair);
• versatility (the device can be used at home, in the office, in the country).

The electrical circuit of most repellers is based on an ultrasonic frequency generator in the range of 4...40 kHz.

Typically the device includes several elements:

• emitters (mosquito repeller);
• switch key;
• indicator (LED) of the repeller's operation;
• compartment for power supplies;
• adapter power connector;
• repeller volume control.

Types of mosquito protection devices

Depending on the possibilities of use, the devices are divided into two main types:

1. Stationary. These are powerful devices for covering a large area. They can be used in apartments and houses. Some models can operate independently on batteries and are suitable for protection in summer cottages, forests, and rivers.
2. Personal. These are compact devices for personal protection, available as keychains or bracelets. They are economical to use: a single battery lasts for several months.

Photo gallery: the most famous devices

Review of popular devices

It should be immediately mentioned that the question of the effectiveness of using ultrasonic repellents remains open. There is no scientific evidence to support the repelling effect of ultrasound. Reviews are also quite contradictory. Some customers describe a model of the same brand as a "wonderful invention," while others immediately claim it's a "scam." Reliable information about some devices is simply hard to find. Furthermore, these days, even online reviews from "real" people are hard to trust, as they could be mere advertisements. It seems like everything should be crystal clear: either the device repels mosquitoes, or it's simply useless. The fact that there's a huge variety of these devices on the market suggests there's demand for them. This means that ultrasonic repellents do help some people protect themselves from mosquitoes.

Note: The device's effectiveness may be related to the specific mosquitoes and ultrasound frequency it targets. Different groups of insects (of which there are about 200) require their own wavelength. The ability to use multiple frequencies in a single device enhances its effectiveness.

Chicco Ultrasonic Repeller

Chicco is a well-known brand for children's products. Customers can choose from three models of this repellent: a tabletop model, a portable clip-on model, and a wall-mounted model. The device is compact and battery-powered, with a choice of modes (weak and strong). The manufacturer promises complete safety and notes that the repellent can be used to protect very young children (age 0+). This is a significant advantage, as most mosquito repellents for children are recommended for use after three months of age.

The Chicco ultrasonic repeller can be used to protect newborn babies.

Reviews of the device's effectiveness

Buyers who have benefited from the device note that the effect only extends over a short distance from it.

This Chicco mosquito repellent was the first mosquito repellent I bought. At home, I have a Chicco ultrasonic mosquito repellent in each bedroom, which plugs into an outlet, and for walks, I bought a portable version. The repellent is very small and runs on a single AAA battery. The battery lasts a long time. Don't expect miracles from this repellent. Yes, it does the job, but its power is minimal. It repels mosquitoes effectively at a distance of no more than 50 cm. So, the closer, the better.

I bought this miracle (Chicco ultrasonic mosquito repellent) at the drugstore! I was delighted by the lack of consumables and the low power consumption. But that's where my joy ended! When plugged in, it makes a barely audible squeak. It's not unpleasant, but it gets annoying after prolonged use. Okay, I'll tolerate it, I'm with the mosquitoes! They don't seem to care about this device; they just fly around and bite. I don't understand what this miracle is for!

Tornado mosquito repellent

The stated advantages of the Tornado device are:

• large protection area - up to 50 sq. m.;
• absolute safety (no noise or smell);
• versatility.

The device must be used as follows:

1. Insert 3 AA batteries into the special compartment.
2. Turn on the device. The button has two positions: B (battery power) and A (mains power or cigarette lighter power). The indicator light should turn red.
3. Adjust the sound level with the wheel.

The Tornado ultrasonic mosquito repellent will rid an entire room, terrace, and everyone there of mosquitoes.

Safety precautions during operation:

• The room where the repeller is used must have a normal humidity level.
• Spraying aerosols in the immediate vicinity of the device is prohibited.
• Do not apply pressure to the body or emitter.
• The device must be placed away from heat sources.

Feedback on using the device

Customers give diametrically opposed assessments of the device's effectiveness. Most note drawbacks such as the repeller's shrill noise and the lack of a power cord.

The Tornado repeller is a wonderful thing! We bought it and brought it to the dacha. It's the season for these nasty creatures. You turn it on and watch them scatter in fear. It even works on gnats, though not all of them. We started by turning it on full volume (the beeping is quite loud—not everyone likes it), then, when they fly away, we can turn it down to a lower volume—it's like a boost (the sound is inaudible). Overall, our family loved it! The only issue is that it doesn't come with a cord to plug it into an outlet. But I think that's a solvable issue. We didn't need it. We used batteries for a week—they lasted long enough and didn't run out of power. It also has a handy stand. You can either place it on it or turn it upside down and hang it on something. Our little one is very curious about everything, so it's very convenient to mount it higher up.

I didn't notice any mosquitoes running away from the Tornado device, and its beeping made me want to move away (not much, but annoying). Overall, it didn't live up to my expectations!

The Protektor Freetime bracelet-shaped device

The Protektor Freetime repeller is a compact, personal device. It comes with a wrist strap and a clip for attaching to clothing. The device has four operating modes.

The Protektor Freetime ultrasonic mosquito repellent is convenient to wear on your hand or clothing.

Features of using the device:

1. Pull out the plate, then press the button for 3 seconds to turn on the device.
2. Adjust the power level by pressing the button (there are 4 levels in total). The LED will flash 1 to 4 times. This indicates the selected operating mode. When the device is operating, the LED will flash every 10 seconds.
3. Press and hold the button for 4 seconds to turn off the device. Please note that the device automatically turns off after 8 hours of operation. The device is powered by a lithium battery (approximately 500 hours of operation). The operating range is up to 1.5 meters.

It's important to remember: the repeller will not work effectively if the emitter is covered. Therefore, don't put it in your pocket, bag, or backpack.

Mosquito keychain device

Mosquito brand devices receive mostly positive reviews. These repellents are compact. One such device is a keychain-style device that runs on button batteries.

The device operates using two sound modes: one that mimics the call of a dragonfly and one that mimics the call of male mosquitoes. Users report that while the device doesn't provide 100% protection, it does repel most insects.

Compact mosquito repellent keychain can be used both indoors and outdoors

Reviews of the miniature device

I tested the miniature ultrasonic mosquito repellent Mosquito last year. I went into a store and asked about mosquito repellents, and they offered me this keychain. They said it works, that everything works, and there are two repelling modes: a dragonfly and the sound of a female mosquito. I didn't really believe it would work. After testing this keychain on the street, at a train station, and near a canal, I can tell you that it's almost ineffective. Yes, mosquitoes land on you, and sometimes they don't bite you from above, but be careful of your feet—they probably don't reach you. I'd rather give the respect to sprays that actually work, but I decided to try something new and it didn't work. Better to try once than to hear and repeat other people's stories.

I was given this thing (the Mosquito ultrasonic mosquito repellent), probably more as a joke than a serious one, and I laughed myself, but I didn't expect how much it would help me! I was just going on vacation to the south, and I don't know what I would have done there without this little device. I don't know where they bought it, but I figured it was really inexpensive. I just turn it on, and there are no mosquitoes. They fly around in circles, but they can't get close—it's like there's a transparent wall around me. It's a very useful thing! It runs on batteries—"tablets"—and lasts a long time. Much better than poisoning your skin with all sorts of harmful mosquito repellent creams—they're all terribly toxic, and all the poison is absorbed into the skin, so why bother?! Better try this little gadget! By the way, mosquitoes also hate the smell of cloves; my mother uses clove tincture in vodka to keep them away, and she says it helps. Natural products are better than chemicals!

How to choose the right device

If you decide to test the effectiveness of an ultrasonic mosquito repellent, consider the following when choosing one:

1. For use in the countryside, it's best to choose a multifunctional device that repels not only mosquitoes but also other small insects.
2. When choosing a device for outdoor use, you should pay attention to the temperature limits at which the repeller can be used.
3. The humidity level at which the device is intended to operate should not be high. If protection is needed in unusual climate conditions, it's worth choosing a repeller with a protective housing.
4. The cost of the device may vary depending on several criteria: ultrasound coverage area, equipment, design and brand, and the presence of additional functionality.
5. It is necessary to check the technical documentation for the device.

It's important to remember: When choosing a repeller, decide which criteria are most important to you. Sometimes the price of a similar device can be significantly higher simply because of a built-in flashlight. Pay more attention to specific features: power, power supply, and coverage area.

Table: Comparison of mosquito repellents (based on online stores)

Photo Gallery: Popular Mosquito Repellent Devices

Food for thought. Some experts believe that the maximum effective range of any repeller should not exceed two meters. Perhaps these inflated figures are just a marketing ploy. The same applies to noise. Ultrasound is not perceptible to the ear, so if the device is "audible," it's considered a "sonic repeller."

Video: What to look for when buying an ultrasonic repeller

Ultrasonic mosquito repellents are devices of questionable effectiveness. The market is flooded with similar devices, and customer reviews are mixed. However, the benefits of these repellents are quite enticing. Chemical-free protection from insect attacks is ideal for children and allergy sufferers. When choosing a mosquito repellent, pay attention to the technical documentation. Buy only from trusted suppliers. And remember that a high price does not guarantee the corresponding level of quality.