Sonic and Electronic Devices
Sonic and electronic devices do not work.
Sonic, electronic and ultrasonic devices have all been advertised as
repelling mosquitoes. Some devices are available in a bracelet, watch
or necklace form for personal protection while others plug into room outlets
and claim to eliminate mosquitoes from a larger area. Manufacturers
claim the devices imitate the flight sound of a male mosquito and work
because a mated female mosquito would avoid further contact with males.
Other devices were supposed to imitate the flight sounds of dragonflies.
A simple test is to find an area of mosquito activity, activate the device
for a couple of minutes and then begin to count the mosquitoes that land
on an exposed surface (like a leg or arm). Turn off the device and
measure the number of landings on the same surface for the same amount
of time. Repeat this three to five times and you should have a good
range of landing catches to compare. Of course, you can always leave
it up to scientists who have consistently found that these devices do not
work.
References
Barrido R., Brown J., Novak R. and Berenbaum B. 1993. A test of the efficacy
of ultrasonic mosquito repellers. The Vector Control Bulletin of the North
Central States. 2:65-69.
Foster, W. A. and K. I. Lutes. 1985. Tests of ultrasonic emissions on mosquito
attraction to hosts in a flight chamber. Journal of the American Mosquito
Control Association. 1(2): 199 - 202.
Jensen
T., Lampman R., Slamecka M.C. and R.J. Novak. 2000. Field efficacy of
commercial anti-mosquito products in Illinois. Journal of the American
Mosquito Control Association 16:148-152.
Lewis, D. J., W. L. Fairchild and D. J. Leprince. 1982. Evaluation of an
electronic mosquito repeller. Canadian Entomologist. 114(8): 699 - 702.
Schreiber E.T., Floore T.G., and Ruff J.P. 1991. Evaluation
of an electronic mosquito repelling device with notes on the statistical
test. Journal of the Florida Mosquito Control Association. 62:37-40.