Original Research

The efficacy of ultrasonic pest controllers for fleas and ticks

C. R. Brown, B. D. Lewis
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association | Vol 62, No 3 | a1606 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v62i3.1606 | © 2020 C. R. Brown, B. D. Lewis | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 31 August 2017 | Published: 30 September 1991

About the author(s)

C. R. Brown, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, South Africa
B. D. Lewis, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, South Africa

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Abstract

Two ultrasonic pest controllers, a pet-collar unit and a large unit for household use, were tested for their efficacy in repelling fleas and ticks in a choice chamber. Neither unit had any affect on the distribution of fleas or ticks in the choice chamber up to 24 h exposure, and activity of fleas, ticks and cockroaches was unimpaired. The study extends and supports previous findings that ultrasound is ineffective as a means of controlling common pests of households and pets.

Keywords

Ultrasound; fleas; ticks; pest control

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