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Are sonic and ultrasonic mosquito repellers effective for controlling mosquitoes?

Last Updated: March 11, 2009

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Sonic mosquito repellers, first marketed in the 1970s, are devices that purport to imitate the flight sound of a male mosquito. These devices work on the assumption that a mated female mosquito would avoid further contact with males. Other similar devices supposedly imitate the flight sounds of dragonflies. Although testimonials as to their effectiveness abound, when tested in the laboratory or field they have shown no repellency. Ultrasonic mosquito repellers are devices that are supposed to mimic the sounds made by bats, which are known to be important mosquito predators. These devices have been tested in controlled experiments and were found to be ineffective in reducing mosquito-biting rates. While some insects avoid bats, mosquitoes do not. ***

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