6 Best Electronic Pest Repellers of 2019

1. Aspectek – 5-in-1 Home Sentinel

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0

The effectiveness of electromagnetic or ultrasound waves alone in repelling insects and rodents is scientifically inconclusive. This is why Aspectek has designed an electronic repellent system that has three defenses. Each of them might not get rid of them on their own. Together however, ultrasonic and electromagnetic waves along with ionic purification make all manner of vermin seek shelter elsewhere.

A Threefold Approach to Electronic Pest Control

The Home Sentinel is a small device which looks like an over-sized air freshener with a prominent night light that plugs into an outlet. It has three indicator lights that signal which type of pest repellent is currently active. All three can be active at the same time, or you can turn ultrasonic waves off if you have pets that are sensitive to them. The night light glows a soft blue and can be set to either off, on for a continuous glow, or motion based.

The sensor also triggers ionic purification and emission of electromagnetic and ultrasonic waves. Ionized air simulates an approaching storm which makes all manner of critters uncomfortable. Combined with ultrasound and electromagnetic waves which are inaudible and harmless to us but dreadfully annoying to pests, this forms a perimeter that rodents, bugs, and even snakes will have no interest in crossing.

A single Home Sentinel can cover an area of 1,200 square feet and isn’t affected by walls, doors, etc. so even your closets and cupboards will be protected. While all manner of pests are affected, the Home Sentinel displays the best results in getting rid of ants.

What We Didn’t Like

The Home Sentinel’s ultrasound frequency is just 25 kHz, meaning that some pets will be able to hear it and may feel uncomfortable or get frightened. Adding the ability to turn the ultrasound off was considerate, but doing so makes the repellent less effective. It’s only a matter of time before the Home Sentinel will stop working since it’s plugged in the whole time. The trouble with this is that there’s no outward indicator of it being broken so you’ll only know once pests start to return.

2. Aspectek Yard Sentinel

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0

Living on the outskirts of town or near a forest is peaceful and relaxing… right until you’re forced to deal with all sorts of birds, bugs, and other pests that can disturb your rest or steal your vegetables. As there are so many different critters to deal with, a catch-all solution is needed. Aspectek has the answer in a heavy-duty repeller that was designed to work outdoors and to be highly irritating to anything but humans. If you want a safe lawn and bountiful garden, the Yard Sentinel is the device to get.

Keep Your Home’s Surroundings Pest-Free

The Yard Sentinel is a green, box-shaped device that blends in seamlessly with an outside environment. You can either place it on the ground or mount it for easier access to the controls. It comes with a 33-foot power cable and can also be powered by four C-batteries so portability isn’t an issue. A set of batteries can last three weeks, more if you use the Yard Sentinel Sparingly.

There are three ways the Yard Sentinel can emit its repelling ultrasonic waves. The frequency can be set manually by opening the back panel to target specific types of pests. You can set it to emit a continuous sound on a constant frequency, random bursts of ultrasound which vary in pitch, or engage only when an infrared sensor is triggered. The sensor is extremely sensitive and covers a 70-foot radius. If this is too wide an area, you can decrease its range and sensitivity incrementally.

Apart from scaring off practically any critter under the sun, the Yard Sentinel can double as a security device. You can program it to emit an audible screech along with each motion sensor trigger. The sensor can be active 24/7 or set to work during the day or night only.

Are There Drawbacks?

A back panel protects the controls from the elements and is extremely hard to take off and put on again. The Yard Sentinel is advertised as weather-resistant, but this won’t be enough if you force or warp the panel and water gets in. It’s a good idea to make use of the long power cable as batteries give out after a short while.

3. Victor Sonic PestChaser

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5.0

Rats and mice pose a serious health risk, not to mention annoy and frustrate anyone whose home they invade. If you’re tired of chewed-through power cords and the pitter-patter of tiny feet coming from inside your walls, it’s time to drive the rodents away for good. Victor is the pest control company that made those iconic mice traps back in the day, and they’ve since switched to more efficient means of pest control. The PestChaser is their best product so far and the tool of choice for eliminating rodent infestations.

Harmless for Pets, a Nightmare for Rats

The PestChaser is a small array of specialized speakers that comes with a 6-foot cord so it can be plugged anywhere and placed at the center of a room for maximum effectiveness. There are single, dual, and triple speaker versions available. Apart from plugging it in, there’s nothing to set up about the PestChaser, making it an ideal alternative to fiddly traps and dangerous poisons. Victor claims that the device can run non-stop for seven or more years before needing a replacement. Given that it uses up a minimal amount of electricity, maintenance costs are negligible.

It works by emitting a loud high-frequency sound through its speakers. The sound is inaudible to humans and pets. Each speaker has a tiny red LED which turns on when it is in use so you can tell that the device is working properly. Rather than relying on a single frequency which rodents get used to with time, the PestChaser periodically shifts frequencies to create a permanently inhospitable environment. Results should become apparent a week after you start using it.

Are There Drawbacks?

Ultrasonic waves can’t pass through solid objects, so the PestChaser is only effective within a single room. Even then results may vary as carpeted surfaces and furniture can mute the sound and decrease its range further. Since only one room is covered, you’ll need to buy multiple PestChasers if you’re dealing with a bigger infestation.

4. Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Outdoor Lantern

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Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5.0

Mosquitos aren’t only annoying bloodsuckers – they can be the carriers of all kinds of diseases like yellow fever or malaria. They’re a particular nuisance in swampy or humid areas and make spending time outdoors after sunset practically impossible during the summer. If you think that even their lives are worth preserving, you can do so and finally enjoy a breath of fresh air if you get this stylish lantern which also acts as a powerful mosquito repellent.

Mosquitos No More

Thermacell continuously strives to come up with new & effective pest control methods and this lantern is a stark example. It’s a fully functional decorative light which emits a warm glow from three LEDs powered by as many AAA batteries. The lantern is well-built and its bronze patina finish makes it ideal for gardens, patios, poolsides, etc.

The way it handles mosquitos is innovative and merciful. Unlike ordinary bug zappers which attract insects but can’t kill them all, Thermacell’s lantern emits a synthetic chemical that mimics natural mosquito-repelling secretions of the hyacinth flower. It does this by using butane to heat a gel pad that contains the compound which then evaporates into the atmosphere.

The affected area is 15 feet in diameter, so if you’ve got a bigger backyard or other location you want to protect, you’ll want to buy more than one lantern. Most importantly though, the repellent truly is effective! Regardless of the severity of your mosquito problem, the protected area around the lantern remains bug-free as long as the gel pads are heated.

What’s Bad About It?

While the lantern is reasonably priced, refills will add to its cost over time. You get enough butane and gel pads with the initial purchase to last just 12 hours. Considering that the perimeter takes at least 15 to 20 minutes to form, you’ve got even less time to enjoy mosquito-free evenings.

5. Pest Offense Electronic Pest Repeller

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Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0

Ultrasound can be a successful short-term pest deterrent. If you use the same frequency too long though, it becomes mere background noise your uninvited guests will stop noticing altogether. You could get a repeller that emits alternating ultrasound frequencies or go with the electromagnetic approach instead. Pest Offence is a model that makes use of electromagnetic waves to drive bugs & rodents crazy. It’s been out for quite a while, yet few of today’s alternatives come close.

Magnetic Repulsion

You’d never assume what the Pest Offence does just by looking at its outer shell. It’s a white box with two indicator lights that you plug into an outlet. From there, the Pest Offence taps into your home’s power grid and starts to subtly alter it to make the surrounding space inhospitable.

It works by generating electromagnetic pulses which travel through the circuit. These sudden bursts have an adverse effect on small creatures, causing restlessness, anxiety, and fear. Pests don’t need to be close to a wall either – the effect has a radius of three feet which ensures that an entire floor can be covered with a single Pest Offense.

It doesn’t take long to see results – most bugs won’t come back after three or four days while rats and mice take only a few days longer. Roaches seem to enjoy electromagnetic pulses the least and are always among the first pests to leave. Coupled with the way the Pest Offense works, this makes it perfect for inner-city apartments.

What We Didn’t Like

Electromagnetic repellers work on a single circuit. If more than one circuit connects to your main, you’ll need to get as many Pest Offense devices as there are circuits to have complete coverage. The two lights are very bright and may annoy you if they aren’t covered up with something.

6. LIGHTSMAX Ultrasonic Pest Repeller

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Editor’s Rating: 3.5/5.0

Electronic pest control devices which rely on ultrasound have a major flaw – their scope is limited by a room’s walls. Since this is a limitation that can’t be overcome, the only solution is to find a good ultrasonic device that’s also affordable. You can get a 6-pack of Lightsmax pest repellers for just over $20, which should be more than enough to cover a large property, warehouse, or business and keep them safe from insects and rodents.

The Cost-Effective Pest Repellent

These pest repellers look and behave similarly to the Home Sentinel. The biggest difference is that they don’t ionize the air and instead of a nightlight there’s a dark blue light which glows to show that they’re plugged in and working. The manufacturer recommends that you place them at different heights depending on the pest that’s troubling you. Mice & rats will be better affected if the repellers are placed 10 inches off the ground while for insects the height should be increased to 30 inches.

Although different kinds of pests are all affected eventually, the speed and potency of the results will vary. For instance, spiders and cockroaches are driven off almost immediately while it can take a full month for the repellers to start affecting rodents. They emit varying ultrasound frequencies and are safe for humans and most pets.

What’s Bad About It?

Unlike the PestChaser that was designed to work on mice and rats only, Lightsmax repellers don’t discriminate between rodents. Owners of hamsters, guinea pigs, or gerbils will need to find an alternative. Waiting three to four weeks for an infestation to clear out might not be a luxury you can afford either.