Mosquito Apps: Buzzing with Hype, Not Protection
You can hear them before you see them: the annoying buzz of mosquitoes on warm summer evenings. If you lack mosquito spray or a citronella candle, you might consider resorting to free mosquito apps. These apps promise to repel mosquitoes using ultrasonic frequencies. Ultrasound is above the human hearing range, starting at 20 kilohertz (kHz).
I tested four apps designed to deter mosquitoes using inaudible frequencies. Their function and design are similar: they allow you to select the frequency, with some targeting flies as well.
The Bat Theory: A Plausible Idea, But Not for Mosquitoes
The basis for these apps stems from the "bat theory." Professor Jorge Groß, a biology education expert at Leibniz University in Hanover, explains, "Bats use ultrasound to locate insects they hunt." Some insects, like moths, can detect these sounds. However, it’s unclear how different mosquito species perceive sound.
"While the hearing abilities of many insect species remain unexplored, studies by American scientists suggest that mosquitoes’ perception limit is around 2,000 hertz, well below ultrasound," says Professor Groß. Bats’ ultrasonic waves range from 20,000 to 100,000 hertz, far beyond the mosquitoes’ hearing range. In other words, mosquitoes cannot hear the ultrasonic waves bats use for hunting.
Apps and Mosquitoes: A Disconnect
Back to the apps: Anti-Mosquito Repellent, Anti Mosquito, Frequency, and Mosquito Repellent (which also claims to repel flies) offered no protection in my testing. Mosquitoes even landed on the smartphone screen, demonstrating the lack of any repelling effect.
It’s also questionable whether smartphones can actually produce the intended sounds with their speakers. While the apps produced cracking noises, the sounds were often audible as a shrill hum, disqualifying them as ultrasound, which should be inaudible.
and Data Collection: The True Purpose?
Another annoyance for users is the heavy advertising load. The four tested apps are free, and the developers monetize them with ads. The apps also track user data, providing developers with valuable information. Overall, I advise once morest using these apps.
Using dedicated ultrasound devices instead of smartphone apps produces the same result: mosquitos are unaffected. Professor Groß is unaware of any studies demonstrating the effectiveness of other ultrasound devices in deterring mosquitoes.
Effective Mosquito Protection: Practical Solutions
Professor Groß recommends other methods for mosquito protection:
- Mosquito screens: Prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
- Mosquito nets: Protect yourself while sleeping.
- Light-colored clothing: Mosquitoes prefer darker colors.
- Natural predators: Encourage spiders and birds, which naturally control mosquito populations.
- Water management: Cover rain barrels and regularly change standing water near your home to prevent mosquito larvae from breeding.
Mosquito bites are more than just an annoyance: they can transmit diseases. "Climate change is increasing the risk of disease transmission, like malaria and dengue fever, even in Central Europe," warns Professor Groß. Mosquitoes might also play a role in future pandemics.
Mosquito Apps: A Buzzing Waste of Time?
The warm summer evenings invite you to enjoy time outdoors, but they also attract those pesky little bloodsuckers – mosquitoes. In a pinch, when you’re out of mosquito spray or a citronella candle, you might find yourself drawn to the promise of free mosquito repellent apps. These apps advertise using ultrasonic frequencies that are supposedly inaudible to humans but drive away mosquitoes.
The Bat Theory: A Plausible Sound?
The idea behind these apps seems logical at first glance. It’s based on the "bat theory," which suggests bats hunt insects by emitting ultrasonic sounds that insects can detect. Professor Jorge Groß, a biology education expert at Leibniz University in Hanover, explains, "Some insect species, like moths, can perceive these sounds." However, the science behind how mosquitoes hear is far from conclusive.
"The hearing ability of many insect species has not been fully researched," says Professor Groß. "Studies by American scientists suggest that mosquitoes’ hearing limit is around 2,000 hertz, which is significantly lower than ultrasound." Bats emit ultrasonic waves between 20,000 and 100,000 hertz, well beyond the hearing range of mosquitoes. This means that mosquitoes can’t even hear the ultrasonic sounds bats use to hunt.
Apps Fail the Test: Mosquitoes Unaffected
I tested four popular mosquito repellent apps: Anti-Mosquito Repellent, Anti Mosquito, Frequency, and Mosquito Repellent. None of these apps provided any protection once morest mosquitoes during the test. In fact, the opposite happened; the mosquitoes seemed completely unfazed, even landing on the smartphone screen at dusk.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of these apps is questionable due to the limitations of smartphone speakers. While the apps claim to emit ultrasonic sounds, users often hear cracking noises and sometimes a shrill hum, which indicates that the sound generated is not actually ultrasound.
More Than Annoying: Apps Are Platforms
Besides their ineffectiveness, these free apps are plagued by excessive advertising. The developers rely on ads to generate income. Additionally, app tracking allows them to collect valuable user data. This leads to a frustrating user experience, with constant interruptions and privacy concerns.
Ultrasound Devices: Another Ineffective Mosquito Deterrent
While we focused on smartphone apps, Professor Groß emphasizes that ultrasonic devices, regardless of whether they are free or paid, are also ineffective at deterring mosquitoes. He is not aware of any scientific studies that support their effectiveness.
Natural Solutions: Safer and More Effective
Instead of relying on apps and devices with unproven claims, Professor Groß suggests opting for proven methods:
- Mosquito Nets: Using mosquito nets over your bed is an effective way to protect yourself from bites during sleep.
- Mosquito Screens: Install screens on your windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
- Light-Colored Clothing: Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, so wearing light-colored clothes can reduce your chances of being bitten.
- Encourage Natural Predators: Spiders and birds are natural enemies of mosquitoes. Supporting biodiversity in your garden can help control mosquito populations.
- Water Management: Eliminate stagnant water sources, such as rain barrels and open water containers, as these are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Mosquito Bites: More Than Just an Annoyance
Beyond being an annoyance, mosquito bites can transmit diseases. With climate change, the risk of diseases like malaria and dengue fever is increasing in Central Europe. Mosquitos have also been implicated in the spread of other infectious diseases and might even play a role in the next pandemic.
It is crucial to be informed and choose proven methods for mosquito protection. Avoid falling for the allure of quick fixes like ultrasonic apps and focus on preventative measures that are scientifically backed. Your health and well-being depend on it.
