Are animal repellents targeting the wrong target?
6.7.2023
Translation: machine translated
When you're looking to chase animals out of your garden, you'll quickly come across ultrasonic devices. But their use is the subject of debate. And not just in the Galaxus community.
Their devices sell us dreams. "A simple, gentle and effective method", "A natural, pet-friendly repellent", "Reliable protection": these are just some of the slogans used by brands to promote their ultrasonic devices on our shop. It's a tempting proposition for garden owners who are bothered by animal droppings. Especially as the high frequencies used (over 16,000 hertz) are imperceptible to them.
Popular products, but not perfect
On Galaxus, pet repellents were popular in 2022, with 65,302 products sold. The category includes various types of devices designed to repel insects and birds, animal traps as well as ultrasonic devices. However, these products and a article recently published on Galaxus are attracting negative comments.
The comments are pretty clear: for many, ultrasound devices don't work as they should. They are not effective enough against cats, but their whistling sounds can cause pain to children and sensitive people. Some people can actually hear frequencies of up to 20,000 hertz. In other words, the areas in which these devices emit sound.
Users fear that this may damage the hearing of young children. What is the situation?
No danger, but very unpleasant
SUVA lifts the health alert. "None of these products are genuinely harmful or capable of causing hearing loss," explains Magnus Köpfli Wicki, safety and health protection expert. That doesn't stop users from being highly critical of these devices. "The noise can be very annoying. These frequencies are clearly perceptible to children. "This would even lead to neighbourhood quarrels.
Source: Shutterstock
No regulation or testing procedure
The Veterinary Office of the Canton of Zurich also advises caution when using ultrasound equipment. Cantonal veterinary surgeon Regula Vogel says: "There are no cantonal regulations or testing procedures for such devices."
The Swiss Animal Protection Act (art. 4, para. 2) only prescribes:
- No one may unjustifiably cause pain, suffering or harm to animals, or put them in a state of anxiety, or otherwise compromise respect for their dignity. It is forbidden to mistreat animals, to neglect them seriously or to overwork them unnecessarily.*
The Order on the protection of animals (art. 12) stipulates, meanwhile, that animals must not be exposed to excessive noise for a long time At least, not those from which they cannot escape. This is the case for domestic animals that cannot move freely, such as dogs, for example. Ultrasonic devices are therefore prohibited for the latter.
Gardens and obligations
Cats, on the other hand, escape ultrasound. Sarah Camenisch, spokeswoman for the Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FOSV), therefore says: "Ultrasonic devices can be used against cats. However, they must be installed in such a way that they do not emit into neighbouring gardens."
The Zurich Cantonal Veterinary Office and the OSAV therefore agree on this point. However, it is keen to stress that garden owners have a duty of care.
Ultrasonic devices can be used against cats. However, they must be installed in such a way that they do not emit into neighbouring gardens.
To fulfil this duty of care, it is important to fit and handle the devices correctly. However, this does not seem so simple and poses a problem for many Galaxus users. Magnus Köpfli Wicki of SUVA also points out that it is strange that the descriptions of several products give no indication of frequency and volume.
What manufacturers say
Bruno Ulrich of Windhager HandelsgesmbH and Gabriel Le Laidier of Swissinno Solutions AG point out that they indicate the technical characteristics of their devices as well as warnings in the instructions for use and manuals.
Bruno Ulrich adds that it is even expressly stated that the appliance should only be set to level 4 when young children are present. "When a device is described as effective by one part of the customer base and useless by another part, you have to wonder what the problem is. We assume that the appliance is not being used correctly."
We assume that the device is not being used correctly.
Swissinno Solutions AG and Pearl Schweiz GmbH admit that cats can get used to ultrasound devices after a while. In cases where animals do not (or no longer) respond to the shrill whistles, manufacturers recommend products that use LED flashes or water jets.
A quick look at community feedback on water-based devices shows that the proportion of dissatisfied customers there is slightly lower than for ultrasonic devices. However, comments mentioning leaks or nuisance triggers, during a gust of wind for example, are not uncommon.
There's no such thing as the perfect pet repellent
To conclude, it seems difficult to keep animals away from a garden. In the case of ultrasonic devices, it's important to read the instructions carefully and avoid emitting into neighbouring gardens. Appliances that emit jets of water are less likely to cause conflicts between neighbours than ultrasonic devices, especially in the presence of children's sensitive ears. However, it is important to ensure the quality of the product. It seems that there is not (yet) a totally reliable pet repellent on the market.
What are your experiences in this area? Let us know in the comments.
Headline photo: Swissinno Solutions AG
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI like anything that has four legs or roots. The books I enjoy let me peer into the abyss of the human psyche. Unlike those wretched mountains that are forever blocking the view – especially of the sea. Lighthouses are a great place for getting some fresh air too, you know?
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