Thousands of Swedes have bought ultrasonic scarers to get rid of mice and rats - but many feel they don't work. The Swedish Homeowners Association has even called them a scam. Now research in collaboration with Luleå University of Technology shows that a completely new Swedish technology can be the solution.
Anna and Johan in Norrköping had a longstanding problem with mice in their attic. They bought three different ultrasonic devices that promised to keep the rodents away.
- At first we thought it was working, but after a week or so the mice were back. In the end, it felt like we had just thrown money down the drain," says Johan.
They are far from alone. In tests, many of the cheaper devices have been found to have short-term or no effect at all - as mice quickly get used to the monotonous sound.
The professor who cracked the code
At Luleå University of Technology (LTU), researchers wanted to understand why the scares did not work.
- "We discovered that mice have a huge adaptive capacity. When sound is constant, the brain learns to ignore it. But when we instead created complex sound patterns, something completely different happened, says Örjan Johansson, professor of technical acoustics at LTU.
In several laboratory tests, researchers were able to show how Repello, a new Swedish technology, activates the reptile brain's escape reflexes. The effect is immediate - the mice flee in panic and avoid coming back. The research has also been evaluated by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
👉 Read more about Repello and order here
The technology behind Repello
Unlike simpler devices that only play a high frequency, Repello uses advanced sound sequences that vary in both frequency and intensity. To the rodent's brain, each time is interpreted as a new threat.
- We have developed a way to simulate acute threats through sound for the rat. It's not about volume, but about influencing the subconscious with the right kind of signals so that the rat flees, says Örjan Johansson, Professor of Engineering Acoustics at Luleå University of Technology and research leader.
From the research lab to Swedish homes
Now, for the first time, the technology is available to private individuals. Each unit covers up to 60 m² and can be used in kitchens, basements, attics or storage rooms.
Advantages of Repello:
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Based on research from LTU and SLU
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Patented Swedish technology
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Tested on multiple species with proven efficacy
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No poisons or traps
